Ski team’s best result

Tauhara College’s ski team left the North Island Secondary Schools Championship this year with a mountain full of accolades – placing third on the points board amid a swathe of private schools.

The competition at Turoa Skifield on September 10 and 11 saw 129 teams from 60 schools head to up the slopes.

Tauhara College’s A Team placed third for Slalom and fourth for Slope Style.

At third on the points board, Tauhara College sits among Auckland Grammar School, Diocesan School and Kings College.

Individually, Year 9 pupil Lachlan Powell placed third in the Giant Slalom junior boys category, out of 200 competitors.

Lachlan and his twin Fynn, who have both been skiing since they were two years old, are both part of Tauhara College’s Peak Performance Sport squad, led by Year 9 dean Jenny Harrington.

Lachlan said the squad was helping him ski well, as well as achieve well academically.

‘‘Next term we’re doing pilates and the PPS is really focusing on getting us to the best of our abilities. It’s also about getting us to take part in activities outside school, like the Tough Guy challenge,’’ he said.

‘‘The PPS programme is helping keep our fitness up over summer, training at the gym, so when we get into winter, we’re not learning again.’’