College visits 'United Nations'

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 11, Issue 537, 24 May 1994, Page 7

College visits 'United Nations'

By

Warren Telfer and Steven Pitts

Forming two national teams and wearing appropriate costumes, J Barclay, C Wilson, S Smith, V Parker, T Nation and S Pitts spent two days in Wanganui recently, debating intemational issues from the viewpoints of Oman and Sri Lanka. These six senior students prepared for several weeks beforehand in order to take part in this model United Nations General Assembly. Che Wilson (Ruapehu) and L Watt (Nga Tawa), were given the honour of presenting keynote speeches on behalf of the student body and shared the opening with United Nations National President Mr C Lewis and Wanganui mayor Chas Poynter. Speech contest Much interest was generated by the speech finals held over two recent weeks, the Senior Common Room being filled to capacity for the senior event. Juniors were especially commended for the consistently high standard of all contestants by judges Captain L Amner, Mrs J Dekker and

Mrs N Wilde. Three-time winner Che Wilson had to beat off stiff competition from Sandra Smith and Vanessa Parker before the title of best senior English speaker was awarded to him by judges Mr T Morgan, Mrs J Dekker and Mrs M Comwall for the fourth time. Che has set an impressive speech-making record. He has won top speaker awards every year he has been at college. Lance Jones and Rebecca Clarke emerged as strong speakers in both Interwhanau and Nga Manu Korero contests. Results Pei Te Hurinui Jones Tuakana Maori (PTH), First Che Wilson, SecondRaana-EllenMareikura. Rawhiti Ihaka Teina Maori: First Awhina Kingi, Second Marcia Wood, Third Katy Wallis. Judges Mrs M George and Mr J Pohatu. Korimako Senior English: First Lance Jones, Second Lynette Haitana,. Sir Turi Carrol Junior English: First Rebecca Clarke, Second Phree Edwards, Third Equal Cathy Cranston and Sarah Mackay. Turn to Page 9

Ruapehu College speech finals

FROM P AGE 7 Interwhanau Senior English: First Che Wilson, Second Sandra Smith. Interwhanau Junior English, First Ei Leen Voon, Second Equal Margaret Mowat, Rebecca Clarke, Third Vanessa Parker. Best Fifth Form Speaker Lance Jones. Highly Commended Donna Clark. Best 6/7th Speaker Justin Teki, highly commended Misty Smith A parents' evening at Waiouru which was the brainchild of Board Trustees S Weinberg and J Barclay went off well with students, parents and teachers having fun and energetic games. Ruapehu College accepted an invitation from Avondale College to a rugby, netball and volleyball sports exchange. Avondale College has a roll over six times that of Ruapehu

College and, faced with well-experienced sides comprising many representative players, the local teams proved unequal to the challenge. But in terms of individual talent and sportsmanship, local students had muchtooffer. New friendships were made and the schools exchanged gifts. End of term saw the departure of art teacher Mr Denis Friar and family for Auckland. The school presented him with a token of their appreciation and Mr Friar responded with a gift of one of his paintings of the Rangipo Desert together with an illustrated book for the library. To be based in Auckland, Mr and Mrs Friar are aiming to build up the photographic and publishing business which they started shortly after arriving in Ohakune in 1987.