There's nothing quite like starting a term with a field trip on the very first day. Not only were the kids excited to see their friends again but they were excited to be going to Clued-Up kids in Nelson.

Clued-Up kids is a safety skills course for children with hands-on activities including a ‘shaky house’ for practising what to do in an earthquake, a smoky fire simulation teaching children how to react during a house fire, as well as demonstrations on water safety, interacting with dogs, road safety, quad bikes, truck and cycle safety, and first aid.

It can happen at any time in the winter but when the call comes that the pond is frozen enough, then we're out there making the most of the ice.

Term 3 is our skiing term and so far we have made it up to Rainbow Skifield twice, with hopes to get up there every Monday for the rest of the term.

The kids are straight into it again and our newbies are progressing quickly - two lessons and they're already heading up the T-bar. Miriam has also hopped onto skis this year for the first time, joining in with the beginners lessons and enjoying skiing down the beginner slopes.

Here's hoping the rain doesn't affect the snow pack too much so we can make the most of the snow that's here this season.

We joined with the Rotoiti Outdoor Education Centre for some more fun in the outdoors, this time with some team building activities on the lake front. The kids had loads of fun out in the sun working together and as always, it was excellent working with the Rotoiti Outdoor Education Centre crew.

Winter brings snow and lots of excitement as the first snowfall hit St Arnaud and settled on the ground. Not enough to close school but certainly enough to throw a few snowballs.

One of the benefits to come out of Covid lockdowns is the vast amount of online courses and learning that in now available. We had the opportunity to attend an online ballet tutorial which allowed the kids to try out a new activity, without having to leave the school.

Once again Mitre10 was more than happy to supply their Easy As Kids woodworking kits to Lake Rotoiti School. The children had a great time decorating and assembling their star mobiles.