Grit and determination showed on the faces of pupils last week during Lauriston School’s annual triathlon.
The triathlon, around the grounds and neighbouring reserve, took place after school wide learning sessions on swimming, and road safety.
Pupils started with a swim in the school’s 16m pool, before hitting the bikes around the school grounds, and finishing with a run around the reserve.
Teacher Laura Twiss said there were varying distances for each year.
Junior pupils did a 500m bike ride and 700m run, years 3 and 4 pupils each did 1.5km and 3km bike respectively, and a 1.3km run.
While competitive years 5 and 6 pupils did a 4.5km bike ride with a 2.6km run, she said.
The event had been developed by pupils and staff over the past three years to suit all ages and abilities.
It was considered a true reflection of the school’s READY values – Respect, Enterprise, Achievement, Determination and You-Your Choice.
Principal Colin Brodie said the triathlon marked the end of swim week, an intensive five day swimming programme building on water safety practices and delivered on site from the school’s pool in partnership with staff from EA Networks Centre.
‘‘This culminates the school’s three month swimming season, which began in mid-November, ensuring every Lauriston pupil receives high quality swimming instruction,’’ he said.
‘‘Our school pool, an invaluable asset to the community, has thrived thanks to around $150,000 of community investment since 2017, and a team of dedicated volunteer pool managers, guaranteeing that our rural kids learn to swim – an essential Kiwi rite of passage.’’
He said swim week had transitioned into wheels week which saw pupils develop biking, scooter and skateboarding skills while building confidence and endurance in preparation for the triathlon.
Pupils had their bikes checked and serviced by Josh, of Josh Ks Cycles from Ashburton.
He visited every classroom to educate children on bike care and safety ahead of the triathlon.
Brodie said the age and stage appropriate triathlon allowed pupils to showcase their swimming progress and integrate biking and running components which fostered healthy hearts, strong lungs and a resilient mindset.
He said the school had seen the fruit of past efforts with pupils finishing in the top five in the Canterbury Primary and CAIM Schools Triathlon on February 25. Among them were Jack Copland who was second in year 5 boys open, and Claire Copland who placed third in the year 6 girls event.
Other Mid Canterbury pupils to do well were: Kipton Parkes of Dorie School who won the year 5 boys open, Isabelle Lampe of Mount Somers Springburn School who won the year 5 girls, and Konrad Artz of St Joseph’s Ashburton who placed second in the year 8 boys open.
Brodie said the Lauriston results were a testament to the strength of the school’s programme and the dedication of its pupils.
Meanwhile, among the action wear worn by some pupils during the triathlon was the new school uniform introduced this year. It includes a top and skort or shorts option.
The uniform was a modern reflection of a hands on learning environment, Brodie said.
The tops, which featured two kotuku birds on the back, reflected the school value of tuakana-teina mentorship where older and younger pupils learned from, and supported one another.
Brodie said the design was a symbol of equity, inclusion and partnership. It was created in consultation with pupils, staff, families and iwi.
