SJC ski and snowboard trip to New Zealand

Fresh from the snow fields of New Zealand, 39 SJC boys and four staff have returned from a successful ski and snowboarding trip with a load of new skills and tricks.

For eight days the boys and staff skied and snowboarded in the areas surrounding Queenstown on the south island of New Zealand. Three days in Cardrona, followed by days at Coronet Peak and The Remarkables honed the boys’ techniques and challenged them in many areas of alpine life.

Adding to their experiences on the ski fields, the boys experienced the thrill of jet-boating on the Shotover River, luge racing at the top of the gondola in Queenstown, and (for a few boys), the ultimate challenge of bungy jumping at Kawarau Bridge.

Ski trip organiser, Lee MacMaster (SJC Director of Teaching and Learning), said it was wonderful to see eight months of planning come to fruition in such an enjoyable and successful tour. “My thanks go to Kim Moore from Sno ‘N’ Ski Travel (Brisbane) for her expert organisation and care of the group,” he added.

Mr MacMaster said the boys represented St Joseph’s College with distinction, and he congratulated them on their ability to enjoy themselves thoroughly while remaining mature and considerate of others. “Their behaviour was first-class and they took on all the challenges of the demanding schedule for the trip.”

“My thanks go to the staff involved: Danny Sidgreaves, Mark Conlon and Justin MacMaster, as well as our Tour Guide from Sno ‘N’ Ski, Ben Ittensohn. Their assistance on the trip was outstanding and I am indebted to them for their support and care of the boys.”

“Thanks the parents of the boys for their support of the trip and to the College for its encouragement in running a venture like this,” Mr MacMaster said.

Further SJC ski trips will be planned in the future, and more boys are encouraged to take up the challenges of skiing and snowboarding so they .too can enjoy this exciting and exhilarating sport whilst at Joeys.