This October 27th saw the return of the much-anticipated ATC Terminator Challenge of 2022!
It has been two years since New Zealand Skills and Education College gathered its ATC Military Prep students and all their extended whanau for an action-packed day full of challenges, laughs, korero and kai, prize-winning and more.
ATC Military Prep programme at NZSE College isn’t just a career pathway, it is a much-valued asset to the community with many students across the region – from Manukau to Hamilton, and New Lynn – applying each year.
Even some of our current ATC tutors progressed through ATC pathways as youth and, as a result, they see a lot of themselves in the students and that is what makes this day so special.
With “transforming lives through the power of learning” sitting at the core of all NZSE College programmes, including ATC’s military prep, uniformed services and security pathways, one tutor, Daumavia Herewini explains,
“I definitely see a lot of aspects of my younger self in these students and I believe that is why I can connect with them very well and create a good bond with them.
“It wasn’t too long ago that I was fighting similar battles they may be facing now and, because of that, I am able to relate to them and give them some advice from my experiences.”
Daumavia, who recognises what ATC pathways mean to the community, commends the schools efforts to connect the students to their inner whakapono. She continues, “Besides the career aspect, we try and make ATC like a second home for the students where we try to create a tight family-like bond. The students feel safe, and important and feel like they are going places – a home away from home where they are able to reach out for a helping hand when they need.”
Extending across Blockhouse Bay and New Lynn, the Manakau, Hamilton, and New Lynn rangatahi participated in a series of challenges. From start to finish, the students undertook:
– drill competitions
– haka
– long-distance running
– water sports
– against-the-clock strategic-thinking tests
– fitness endurance and strength tasks
The day kicked off at 9 AM sharp after the students rose early to practice their formalities, drills and haka ahead of the big day. The 9 AM drill competition was observed by an ex-military and ex-navy judges panel: Mike Nugent, Nicholas MacCauley and James Minota.
The judges said, “We are looking for discipline… not only that but what happens when they make an error; do they continue? Or do they let it phase them?”
“Team discipline is what makes or breaks a team. It just takes one member to throw the balance off. These are the things that mark a suitable candidate. These are the types of questions we have got to ask sitting here today on this panel.”
After lunch, the crew moved to Blockhouse Bay where the rest of the day’s challenges were timed against the clock, testing agility, fitness, strength, and mental stamina.
Finally, by 3 PM, the results were counted, scored and triple-checked; the winners of 2022 are:
– New Lynn won the best drill for their fantastic efforts during the morning parade
– Manakau won the best all-around performance, making them the overall Terminator Champions of 2022!
Hamilton was runner-up to be titled Terminator Champions of 2022, and the score across all three groups was reportedly a ‘very close call’.
Blessed with sunshine and a gentle breeze throughout the day, the NZSE College whanau rounded the day off with some cooked kai, a meal much welcomed by all students and staff who made this day so special.
Who’s ready for Terminator 2023? See you next year!
