Rainbow connection for Ross students
Hundreds of school children have run through obstacles while coloured chalk was poured over them.
More than 600 Ross Intermediate School pupils ran for 30 minutes around the school, through an obstacle course and under a net during a colour run.
Teacher Claire Mutch said school staff were fed up with the children complaining about the annual cross-country run, so decided to make it more fun.
It was something every child could take part in, with some taking their time and others running the course three or four times.
Teachers had water guns and bags full of chalk, and made it their mission to get the pupils as messy as possible.
Anika Bingham Teppett, 13, said it was really fun and she enjoyed running with her friends.
‘‘It’s way better than cross country.’’
Jade Reweti, 12, said her favourite part was crawling under the nets while the teachers poured chalk on the pupils.
She liked getting messy and covered in chalk.
Te Aiokura Tewhata Haddon, 13, said her favourite part was hugging the teachers and getting them covered in chalk as well.
Deputy principal Geovanna Paine said lots of events were cancelled because of Covid-19 restrictions, so this was important to the children.
‘‘We have got a good formula. It is something we will do every year.’’
She was hoping to get more community involvement next year and wanted as many people as possible involved in the fun.
The Palmerston North LEO Club, of young Lions Club members, attended and Paine wanted nearby kindergartens and rest homes to join them too.