Responsible, Exciting and Different - Hendrik

I had a really good placement: St Patrick's College Silverstream. The school as such is not too big and I had heaps of diffrent tasks during the day. The facility I was staying in was the best possible I think.

1. a) In my freetime: The traveling around New Zealand is just amazing.
b) During work: The McEvedy Shield competetion and the Wellington College Traditional were just amazing!
2)Proabaly the afternoon in the boarding house when I was in charge of the kids and when I coached the a team at the Triathlon Secondary Schools Nationals.
3)The people and their attidute towards other people. The people are very friendly and allways open for small talk.

Responsible, Exciting and Different - Andrew and Ben

Both Ben and Andrew have been volunteering at Palmerston North Boys High School.

1. Responsible— Coaching an unbeaten Rugby team as well as a football and hockey team. This involved training throughout the week and taking them on Saturday morning.

2. Exciting— The 124m bungy in

Queenstown, unbelievable experience.

3. Different- Attitude towards sport from a young age. A lot more serious and

professional.                                           

Andrew

1. Responsible— I run (supper) toasties on Wednesday night, with efficiency, speed and authority.

2. Exciting— Completing the

Tongariro Crossing with the year 13’s was an exciting accomplishment

3. Different—Generally more laid back society.                                  

Ben

Responsible, Exciting and Difference - Laura

I have been working at Nelson College for Girls in the school and in the boarding house (CJ House). I have absolutely loved it and am really going to miss it a lot.
At CJ House it tradition that the gap students put on a gappers quiz just before they leave. Me and Natalie did a WOW (world of wearable arts) recycled themed quiz. We got all the girls to dress up in clothes they had made from recycled things and take part in the quiz. It was a really fun night and everyone got into the spirit of it.
The most exciting thing I did whilst at NCG was probably going on the kayaking trip with the year 13's to Abel Tasman. It was such a fun trip and we got to kayak for 3 days as well camp and tramp.
The most responsible thing that I have done in my placement would probably being on overnight alarms at CJ. 3 times a week me and Natalie would be responsible to turn off any of the burgalar alarms that went off and also respond to texts from girls in the night if there were problems.
I would say that the thing most different between NZ to England is that NZ as a country seems much closer and the people seem to want to help each other more. It just seems a much more laid back place to be.
I have loved my time in NZ and have made some great friends from all over the world. Travelling NZ in the holidays has been the most amazing thing and I will miss it a lot. I want to thank Lattitude and NCG/CJ House for all they have done for me over the last year and for giving me such an amazing opportunity.

Responsible, Exciting and Different - Alexej

We ask our volunteers to tell us some of the most RESPONSIBLE, EXCITING and DIFFERENT things they have done during their placements!

The following information is from Alexej who recently returned home after a year of volunteering at Hato Pāora College in the Manawatū region.

1)The most exciting experience that I recall was getting up early one morning, to put a hangi down for the investiture ceremony of Sir Archie Taiaroa.

2)The most responsible thing I recall doing, was when I worked with a Year 8 student who required learning support.  I had to think of work that was appropriate for his level, but fun for him and I had to keep him focussed on achieving (learning new things). When he worked well we would play some board games.  The longer he remained on task, the longer we got to play the board games (which were also good for building his vocabulary and thinking). We Both learnt "heaps".

3) The most different thing between here and home (Germany) was the cultural aspect of my placement.  Hato Pāora is a Māori school and the school life embraces this. And of course the friendliness of the people of Aotearoa.

If you would like to learn more about Lattitude visit our website here and The Lattitude New Zealand Blog here

Eleanor in Vanuatu

Here are some photos of Eleanor who has just started her placement in Vanuatu.
The photos are from the induction week at Port Villa. Eleanor is having an amazing time and seems to be taking all the challenges in her stride-getting to grips with the language Bislama and many other cultural differences.

To learn more about Lattitude visit our website here and The Lattitude New Zealand blog here

Volunteer Get Together

On Queens Birthday weekend the Lattitude team here in New Zealand organised a Dinner/Get together for all the volunteers in New Zealand. Many of the volunteers were able to attend, some travelling from as far away as Whangarei, Oamaru and Christchurch to make it. The volunteers are nearing the end of their placements and it was great to hear stories of their experiences so far and to see how close their friendships have become. We wish the volunteers all the best for the remainder of their time in New Zealand and their travel home. Thank you to everyone who attended for making the night a great success!

For more information about Lattitude visit our website here and The Lattitude New Zealand Blog here

News from South Africa

Below is a email we received from Alan, a teacher as well as a mentor for the volunteers at Kosi Bay School in South Africa. It is great to hear such fantastic feedback about our volunteers.

“Laura and Thomas were absolutely outstanding! They are a credit to their families, to their countries and to LATTITUDE. They both took their work so seriously, but were always cheerful and friendly to be with. They also were not pushed around, they were firm in their dealings with learners AND staff. Laura brought a mature, diligent demeanour with her each day and she was able to do amazing things with the kids. Thomas is a computer boffin and brought his superior knowledge and ability into practice daily in keeping our ailing, aging computers functioning.
Both did far more at our school than was ever asked and we thank them and LATTITUDE for their generosity. May ALL future placements be as good!!!! “

For more information about volunteering with Lattittude visit our website here and The Lattitude New Zealand Blog here