Selwyn_Times: February 07, 2024

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Selwyn Times Wednesday February 7 2024 10 NEWS Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz Lincoln High’s Nepal trip: Reflecting on lessons learned outside the classroom At the end of last year, 29 Lincoln High School students travelled to Nepal with World Challenge, a global experiential travel provider for schools. Deputy principal Kylie Horgan reports CURRENTLY there is a great deal of conversation going on in our political, educational and community spheres about our schools and the education they provide. There is a specific focus on literacy and numeracy, the traditional ‘core’ skills, and knowledge that we believe our young people need to have to thrive in a changing world. As I read the journal entries shared by the 28 students who took part in the World Challenge expedition, I see that they are taking something much more precious than reading or writing with them into the futures they build for themselves and the communities they contribute to. The LHS World Challenge team that boarded the plane at Christchurch airport in November returned three weeks later with more understanding of the privilege they had, an understanding of the importance and impact one person can have upon another, a desire to ‘give back’ more in their communities and a feeling of wellbeing that only comes from doing good for others. The eight-day trek in the Langtang Valley was challenging. Day one was nothing short of gruelling with an altitude of 1100 WORK: Maia Wanoa and Zoe Fenton carrying blocks to build two new classrooms as part of their school project. metres ascended over 11km. Step after step the students challenged both their mental and physical fitness. But over these eight days, friendships and bonds were created through extreme shared experiences as they trekked from village to village, immersing themselves in the lives of the Nepalese communities they passed along the way. The experience included connecting with children, building relationships with our Nepalese support team of porters and sherpas, visiting stupa and memorials from the Langtang landslide, experiencing the impact that the support of local trade can have upon a family, helping prepare meals, meditating in monasteries only a few metres from handwritten texts that are thousands of years old and having the timing of your trip coinciding with the visit of a Holy Lama to the area. To top this all off, as long as altitude symptoms or other sickness didn’t prevent, they were able to ascend one of two peaks of 4400m and/or 4700m. The second component of the expedition was the community work. The two teams - Lang and Tang, named after the Langtang valley – participated in a community project in a small rural school close to the bustling city of Pokhara, either before the trek or following the trek, depending on the team. Where the trek component can be at times an individual pursuit, the community project required the teams to come together in pursuit of a shared goal that was for the benefit of a community that was not their own. The ‘welcomes’ to the schools and communities was a tearjerker. The air was thick and heavy with gratitude, love, and happiness from the Nepalese people it almost choked you with emotion. The students were overwhelmed as for many of them, it was the first time they had ever experienced such a strong community connection. Intergenerational families, students and staff were all present to welcome us to their humble community, laying the students with wreaths of flowers and blessing their temples with red chalk. I purposefully stood back to the side of the gate entrance to observe the awe and amazement of our young people as they experienced this for the first time. I remember thinking to myself – you can’t learn this in a classroom. You can’t learn this in a book. But in many ways, these are some of the most important educational opportunities that our young people can have. This is what builds character, values diversity, builds resilience and embraces change and growth. And these are, in many ways, what will create successful futures and communities. Futures where our young people have pushed themselves mentally and physically and now feel like they can do anything. “Nepal has changed my perspective on what is happening around me and to me. I hiked for eight days and helped in a school – I feel like I can do anything,” one student said. In the two schools in which they worked, the students contributed to extensive maintenance work, carried blocks and sand up a hill to the school to help build two new classrooms, painted alphabets and numbers onto classroom walls, painted murals and also spent time playing and engaging with students. The impact they had in these schools and subsequently the impact the experience had upon our LHS challengers was significant. CONNECTION: Team Lang members at the 4400m peak of Langtang with Jangbu Sherpa. Right – Max Wilson from Team Tang with two students at their school project just outside of Pokhara. “I feel so lucky and grateful. It changed the way I see my life as I now realise my privilege and that I have the ability to aid others,” another student said. The final component of the expedition was the cultural and sightseeing aspect. One team challenged themselves with some white-water rafting and overnight riverside camping, while the other experienced a cooking class with a non-profit organisation called Seven Sisters who work to increase literacy and opportunities for women across Nepal. The monkey temple in Kathmandu was ventured to, as well as an overnighter in the heritage city of Bhaktapur where students had a guided tour of the historical royal palace temples, baths and grounds. Coming home was bittersweet as students pounced upon the unsuspecting staff at McDonalds in Auckland Airport at 1am, once customs and immigration had been cleared. In Christchurch, the focus was thankfully more so upon reuniting with family and friends rather than Big Macs and thick shakes. I suspect like the staff the students have spent a lot of time reflecting upon their expedition to Nepal. As a staff member, it was a humbling experience in many ways. Sometimes we get so fixed on our classroom work and measuring outcomes to gauge an idea of what success looks like, that we can forget what experiences and challenges outside the classroom can offer our young people. Because these experiences are also fundraised and/or selffunded it can seem that they are not a reality for everyone to have, but with the support of our Selwyn ‘village’ we were able to reduce these barriers significantly for these young people. Firstly, we would like to thank our principal Kathy Paterson and the board of trustees who gave permission and their support for the expedition. We would also like to thank all our amazing supporters, parents, friends and businesses that contributed to this expedition. The contribution and support received has created 28 braver, SUCCESS: Members of Team Tang celebrate finishing the trek to Kyanjin Gumpa, Nepal. wiser, more confident, more grateful, more resilient and more willing young people to contribute and participate in our community. I would love to be able to put this into a traditional school context for you so its success could be measured easily with a test/exam result number or percentage, but I can’t. The knowledge and character that these students now have because of this expedition cannot be measured so easily. However, I am confident you will agree, that even if we can’t measure them ‘nicely’, it shouldn’t, and doesn’t, make them any less valuable to future participants and leaders in our communities.
Wednesday February 7 2024 Selwyn Times 11 RURAL | LIFESTYLE | RESIDENTIAL LINCOLN Tranquil Rural Retreat With Options Seldom do opportunities come along to purchase land so close to Lincoln and in this much sought-after location. With options to purchase the whole property of 12.6748 hectares or a mix of the following: Lot 1- 4.174ha. Character home, sheds, splendid gardens /Lot 2 - 4.1768ha. Large workshop (3ph power), 70m2 family flat Lot 3 - 4.3234ha. Small cottage, quiet road Lot 1 - This unique property offers a rare opportunity to reside in a beautiful much-loved character home ensconced in a sheltered private and peaceful rural setting. As you step inside, you'll be greeted by the warmth and character that radiates throughout. The well-designed layout boasts four bedrooms and a centrally located bathroom, ensuring comfort and convenience for all. With high ceilings, ample natural light and generous proportions each room has been tastefully finished to enhance the sense of space. The heart of the home is a spacious open plan living and dining area, perfect for entertaining guests or spending time with loved ones. Lot 2 - Another stunning block featuring a large workshop and a 70m2 family two-bedroom flat with plentiful building sites. Lot 3 - A bare block with a tiny solar house. Contact us today to arrange a viewing and explore the exciting options. DEADLINE PRIVATE TREATY No Prior Offers Closes 2.00pm, Wednesday 28 February VIEW By Appointment Only Ron Ferguson M 027 498 6256 E ron.ferguson@pggwrightson.co.nz pggwre.co.nz/LCN38999 NEW LISTING METHVEN 3 Lochhead Crescent Your Private Oasis in the Heart of Methven Welcome home, where tranquillity and spacious living unite on a generous 1,175sqm (more or less) rear section. A well-appointed kitchen offers ample room, a breakfast bar, and a dining area complemented by a separate lounge. Both the dining room and lounge seamlessly lead to beautifully manicured gardens and entertaining patios through sliding doors. This unique opportunity to own a home of this calibre should not be missed. Call today for further information or attend any scheduled open homes! DEADLINE PRIVATE TREATY (Unless Sold Prior) Closes 2.00pm, Thursday 15 February VIEW 5.00-5.30pm, Wednesday 7 February Sam Gregory M 021 0283 8791 E sam.gregory@pggwrightson.co.nz TINWALD 16 Melcombe Street Timeless Beauty Step into elegance with this character home, a timeless beauty admired by many. Expansive living room, kitchen and lounge that extends to a picturesque private backyard and your own garden retreat; features an internally accessed single garage with an automatic door, and for the enthusiasts, a second garage and workshop await. With a drivethrough driveway, plenty of off-street parking space for the camper or caravan. Explore the charm and possibilities that await in every corner of this stunning home. No open homes, viewing by appointment only. ENQUIRIES OVER $635,000 VIEW By Appointment Only Sue Prendergast M 027 322 8422 E sue.prendergast@pggwrightson.co.nz pggwre.co.nz/ASH38788 pggwre.co.nz/ASH39089 PGG Wrightson Real Estate Limited, licensed under REAA 2008 6/19 Gerald Street, LINCOLN Cnr South Terrace & Ross Street, DARFIELD Phone: 03 341 4301 | Email: christchurch@pggwre.co.nz Helping grow the country For more great listings, visit www.pggwre.co.nz PGG Wrightson Real Estate Limited, licensed under the REAA 2008 Helping grow the country
Page 1 and 2: WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2024 Passion
Page 3 and 4: Wednesday February 7 2024 Selwyn Ti
Page 5 and 6: new community space, costing $3.3 m
Page 7 and 8: Latest Canterbury news at starnews.
Page 9: Wednesday February 7 2024 Selwyn Ti
Page 21 and 22: SELWYN RURAL LIFE Wednesday Februar
Page 23 and 24: SELWYN RURAL LIFE farming Advertisi
Page 25 and 26: BOARDING SCHOOL Wednesday February
Page 33 and 34: LiFt oUt FeAtURing the BeSt PRoPeRt
Page 35 and 36: 3 NEW LISTING Boundary lines are in
Page 37 and 38: 5 NEW LISTING Kirwee 6 Perendale Pl
Page 39 and 40: 7 OPEN HOME Lincoln 2 Roblyn Place
Page 41 and 42: 9 SELWYN WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED Li
Page 43 and 44: Four Seasons Realty 11
Page 45 and 46: 13 Four Seasons Realty AUCTION
Page 47 and 48: Four Seasons Realty 15
Page 49 and 50: 17 New Listing/Open Home AUCTION 18
Page 51 and 52: 19 New Listing/Open Home New Listin
Page 53 and 54: 21 Lincoln 178 Verdeco Boulevard Sc
Page 55 and 56: security system are just a few of t

Selwyn_Times: February 07, 2024

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?