by Noah Everard, Year 13 Student, Kaipara College
This year’s October was unexpectedly chock full. Granted that my two-week-long school holiday was fairly brief and consisted of only small pockets of easy going holiday-like fun, these last two weeks of school have been jam packed with events and things to occupy oneself with.
The so-called “holiday” was a time of capricious weather, dull moods and for students; momentary lapses of reasoning when one realises how close exams truly are, followed by bursts of unproductive levels of stress. However, the transient re-emergence of school has been rather enjoyable. The weather is nice and seeing that it is our last two weeks of school… ever! The teachers don’t seem to care as much. Term 4 for a year 13 is somewhat of an illusion, it does not exist. We come to school for two weeks, play games, laugh and do almost nothing besides enjoy our last moments as secondary students.
I am NOT complaining, these last two weeks have reminded me how much I love school, and how much my life centres around this institution and the people within. Moreover, I could not mention a year 13’s last moments of school without giving attention to the revelry of Spirit Week. To commemorate the pack’s final days of school, each day is given a theme which the year 13s follow, and my oh my was it a laugh. Ranging from wheelbarrows and toy cars as bags, to students dressing up in hard-hats and lab-coats, it is safe to say that it made the school chuckle.
On a more personal note, during the month of October I experienced my 18th birthday, and in extension, my first alcohol purchase in New Zealand. It hasn’t been too much of a change, most people I think still view me the exact same as before, besides Police and liquor store owners of course. But I don’t believe that a number which represents how many times you have circled the sun should be the primary indicator of your maturity.
Although legally I am considered an adult, I don’t believe I truly am an adult of the same calibre as those that I would see towering over me when I was very little. For starters I’m short, so it is unlikely that I’ll be towering over anyone, and secondly, I am still very young. I don’t have the lines of old ages nor the aches of repetition or the pains of a mid-life crisis. Turning 18 has not transformed me into an adult, but rather just gifted me with more freedom and ways to spend money.
Lastly….. It is Spooky Season, so go make some candy instead of buying it.
