Sony Childrens’ Holiday Camp Sony Children’s Holiday Camp NZ in December is possibly the most remarkable weekend in the school calendar. It’s when our senior students, who have already achieved so much in the weeks prior with exams, extend themselves still further with compassion and empathy for an extraordinary three days. Sony Camp involves over 100 students from both St Margaret’s and Christ’s College and is a unique programme for children with special needs, providing respite for their families and a fun residential camp for the children themselves. The campers enjoy three days of entertainment and activities, culminating in a Christmas lunch for them and their families, including a visit from Santa himself! Throughout the three days, the children are looked after by the volunteer students from SMC and Christ’s College. They are with them night and day, quickly learning the challenges and
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rewards of caring for those with high special needs. The children’s time at the camp is documented through video and photography, providing their parents with a valuable keepsake in the form of individually tailored scrapbooks – truly a labour of love. The bonds that are built between the students and children are heart-warming and enduring, many staying in touch with their families beyond the camp. For the students, the experience is life changing. They learn a huge amount about themselves and what they are capable of, and for the supporting staff, the sense of pride is at times overwhelming as we witness what remarkable human beings these young men and women are. It’s an honour and a privilege to be part of this remarkable initiative and we’re looking forward to the memories Sony Children’s Holiday Camp NZ will create in 2020! Victoria Murrary-Orr – Director of Community Relations
