This week, eight Year 10 students participated in the Ski For Life leadership course on Mount Ruapehu. After a hiatus due to COVID-19, the course resumed, bringing together students and mentors from prominent business backgrounds.

Our journey began on Sunday morning with a scenic drive to the mountain, including a stop at Huka Falls. On Monday, the boys had their first experience on the snow. Once they were equipped and ready, they cautiously made their way onto the Happy Valley Ski run with their mentors. Unsurprisingly, the determination and athletic ability of the St Paul’s students shone through, and they were skiing confidently by the end of the day. That evening, stories and laughter were shared over dinner, followed by a reflection session with the mentors and engaging team-building games.

Tuesday brought high winds and drizzle, limiting our ability to explore the entire mountain. Despite the weather, the boys enthusiastically skied in Happy Valley all day. Although the chair lift was closed due to high winds, requiring a 700-meter uphill walk to the ski lodge, the students demonstrated excellent teamwork and leadership without a single complaint.

Wednesday greeted us with excellent weather. The chair lift was operational, allowing the boys to tackle the next section of the mountain, which presented narrower and steeper challenges. They showcased their improved skills and concluded the day with a thorough cleanup of the lodge and heartfelt goodbyes to new friends.

We extend our gratitude to all the mentors for their dedication and natural ability to share their leadership skills with our young men.