Competition prize drops down from the sky

 

BY JULIA WADE

Students at Mangawhai Beach School (MBS) had an unusual and interesting visit recently which literally came out of the sky. 

A New Zealand Defence Force 6 SQN Seasprite Navy helicopter dropped in on February 5, coming to land on the school’s fields to the delight of the children, who took a break from lessons to see the impressive machine. 

However it was not by chance the helicopter came to visit, but a prize Room 12 students won from the Ahoy Waitangi competition they entered late last year. Run by the New Zealand Navy, students were asked to submit a classroom project about Waitangi Day, organising MBS teacher Jamiee Browne says.

“Room 12 chose to create a video where they interviewed key people that played a role in the creation and signing of the Treaty of Waitangi,” she says. “Students were elected into their roles and had sole charge over script writing, research, set design and costume creation. We placed second in the competition and the prize was a visit from a Navy Seasprite helicopter.” 

While all MBS students got to watch the helicopter arrive and land, the winning students were allowed half an hour with the crew, a chance to get close and personal with the machine and ask the officers questions about life in the Navy.

“The team on board answered so many amazing questions from our students and complimented me on their inquisitiveness.”

Based at RNZAF’s Whenuapai Post, the Seasprite is one of a fleet of nine helicopters known as No. 6 Squadron that are maintained and operated by Navy and Air Force personnel. The machines are mainly used for transport and exploration-reconnaissance as well as combat surveillance, and have ‘vertical replenishment capabilities’ i.e. supplying seaborne vessels via helicopter. Eight of the machines, Kaman SH-2G(I) Super Seasprites, are some of the most technologically advanced helicopters in the world. 

A prize of awe-inspiring proportions, the NZ Navy Seasprite landing on school fields recently was an impressive sight for local students.