NICK.BROOK@cluthaleader.co.nz
Fraser-Heal (8) were at the Halberg Games in Christchurch during the October
school holidays. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
throw at the Halberg Games last month. PHOTO: CHRIS GRIFFITH.
Korteweg (5), Riley Townsend (11) and Parker Solomon (11) model
new hi-vis vests presented by (from left) Stirling School teacher
Meisha Cochrane, Rachel Harrison from the Clutha District Council
and Keri Solomon from SouthRoads. PHOTO: NICK BROOK
NICK.BROOK@cluthaleader.co.nz
Surprise visits inspired an impromptu assembly at Stirling Primary School late last month.
Among those being celebrated were young athletes Alex Griffith and Lincoln Fraser-Heal, who competed at the 2022 Halberg Games in Christchurch last month.
The games are a three-day national sports festival for children and youths aged 8-21 with a physical impairment.
Alex took part in the shot put and discus events, while Lincoln came second in both his 100m and 50m sprint events.
‘‘They say the Halberg Games are two steps down from the Paralympics,’’ Alex said.
‘‘Usually it’s in Auckland but Covid split it up and we went to a South Island competition.
‘‘You feel happy when you’re doing [your event] because you’ve been practising and training at school and you’re good at it,’’ Lincoln said.
‘‘Then at the start line you’re just thinking about winning, but you feel good just for doing your best.’’
The boys said the event was busy, fun and well-organised, and they looked forward to a chance to compete again.
Balclutha Rotary member Donna Buxton attended the assembly as guest host to present dictionaries to year 4 pupils.
‘‘Rotary chose ‘supporting education’ as one of our core focuses, and we find the kids still like something tactile and purpose-made to hold in their hands,’’ she said.
The 290-page Usborne Illustrated Dictionary is supplied by Rotary to year 4 pupils at all schools, along with a quick demonstration of how to look up subjects.
The final giveaway was a set of hi-vis vests supplied by Southroads, the Clutha District Council (CDC) and police to help keep children safe when negotiating traffic and transport.
CDC road safety coordinator Rachel Harrison said every presentation of the vests was another opportunity to press the road safety message.
‘‘Whether you’re walking, biking or waiting for a bus, we know the hi-vis gear works to keep our tamariki safer,’’ Mrs Harrison said.
Teacher and staff representative Meisha Cochrane led the children in saying thank you for the presentations. She said the vests were an asset when managing groups of children on school field trips.
