What happens when you bring an expert to school?

You get students jumping rope all day doing tricks and learning new things.

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Luke Boon and Sacha Willets are skipping royalty. Luke Boon is a current world record holder and 28-time World Champion in the sport of Jump Rope. Luke is one of the most decorated athletes in the history of the sport, and for many years has dedicated his time to mentoring world-class athletes and coaching at local, national, and international Jump Rope workshops.

Sacha on the other hand only took up the sport three years ago at the age of 39. I will let you do the maths on her age.

Together they took the school through a range of jump rope tricks and routines that had the school hopping. No pun intended.

We had wraparound moves. Double bounce moves. The day aimed to have the school be able to do Double Dutch using two ropes.  We achieved that by the end of the display with 6 students aged between 5 and 11 plus Mr Morehu jumping Double Dutch on the stage in the hall.

Luke was amazed that one of our five-year-olds could double jump while jumping Double Dutch. This was the first time he had seen someone so young achieve that. Go Beau Room 16. Fantastic effort.

There is nothing like the recognition from an expert that we are on the right path with the learning of jump rope.  He was able to teach complicated tricks to our seniors because they already knew how to jump. All those years of turning the rope at morning tea and lunch had paid off.

A great buzz around the school. Students were able to answer the question of what did you do at school today. And Luke and Sacha have offered to come back to work with us again.  I wonder if the routines that are developed are good enough to share at Wairakei’s Got Talent.


jC WPS Staff 2025 Paula

Paula Farquhar

My River's Journey

Like the rivers that have carved their paths through the landscapes of my life, my educational journey has flowed with purpose and determination, gathering strength and wisdom along the way.

My story begins in Mosgiel, where the gentle Taieri River cradled my earliest moments, nurturing my first tentative steps into the world. Like a tributary joining a larger flow, my family's journey carried us northward to Hamilton, where the mighty Waikato River embraced us in its steady current—this became the first place my heart truly recognised as home.

As the daughter of a New Zealand Railways family, our lives mirrored the rivers themselves—always in motion, always seeking new paths. The sacred Whanganui welcomed us next, its ancient waters whispering stories of generations past as I began to form my own identity. My family journey continued upstream to Taumarunui, where the Whanganui and Ongarue Rivers converge in perfect harmony—much like how my early experiences were merging to shape my understanding of education, community, and the interconnectedness of all things.

We briefly anchored in Napier, where though no dominant river commanded the landscape, the network of smaller waterways reminded me that even subtle influences can nurture growth and transformation. These coastal streams, less visible although no less vital, taught me that leadership sometimes flows quietly beneath the surface, supporting life in ways unseen but deeply felt.

The current then guided me to Palmerston North, where I trained to become a teacher. It was here, along the banks of the Manawatu, that I met Andrew, who would become my husband and fellow traveler on life's journey.

In Rotorua, the river of my life expanded into a lake, mirroring the growth of my family as children joined our voyage. The unique thermal waters of the region seemed to infuse me with a special energy and perspective that would influence my approach to nurturing young minds.

The return home to the mighty Waikato River called next, drawing me to Cambridge where I first emerged as a Team Leader. Just as the river carves its determined path through the land, I began to shape my leadership style, guiding others with the same natural confidence.

My journey continued over the ranges to Tauranga, where like a river meeting the ocean, my leadership horizons expanded dramatically. It was here I truly discovered my calling as an educational leader, flowing naturally into the role of Deputy Principal, navigating both challenges and opportunities with equal grace.

Now, my journey has brought me to the southern reaches of the magnificent Waikato River, beside Lake Taupō—the largest lake in Oceania. As Principal of Wairakei Primary School, I draw energy from the geothermal currents that define this special place.

Rivers couldn't be more fitting—just as this remarkable landscape harnesses natural power from deep within, I channel my wealth of experience and passion to fuel success in a school community.

You know, I've always felt connected to the waters that have shaped our beautiful country. Each place has taught me something different about leadership, about community, about what it means to guide young people toward their potential. And here at Wairakei, I feel like all those streams of experience have come together in the most wonderful way.

Comments

  • Katie kruse May 17, 2024, 8:22 PM (11 months ago)

    When Luke came and showed us the tricks I was amazed. When I realized that he was at our school for the hole day I was so happy , I learnt a lot of skills like walk the dog release, this rap your leg thing and a lot more, I'm learning how to turn around while skipping. Shacha skips is on YouTube pls sub to her💖 To this day I still want to skip. I am learning how to do the double under jump, I'm so close of achieving that💖 I even got both of my crocs signed.It was the best day ever💖 thank you Luke and shacha.

  • Katie Kruse May 17, 2024, 8:08 PM (11 months ago)

    I loved seeing Luke and shacha skip it was so cool I even got my crocs signed. I learned alot of tricks like the walk the dog release, turning your leg in the rope, and so many more things. When I came home I told mum and dad a lot of stuff that happened that day. I really want to learn more tricks

  • Charlotte May 14, 2024, 12:39 PM (11 months ago)

    I have heard non stop about this amazing skipping day and how 'the best skipper in the whole wide world came to school' Sophie was very impressed ❤️

  • Sacha Skips May 10, 2024, 4:00 PM (11 months ago)

    What an amazing day! We had the best time at Wairakei Primary. So impressed with all the children and hope everyone keeps up the great skipping!

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