Punaruku children welcome the Matakana Island school on their arrival. CHILDREN GET TOGETHER Written and Photographed by PETER BLANC It is holiday time. The school buildings look neat and prim like the drawings on an architect's plan. There is no sign of life—desks and chairs are arranged in unnatural order, the windows are closed, and even the stray cats who needle their way around the buildings on school days in search for food, can not be seen. This is a strange contrast to the pulsating life which invaded our school some days ago, when a large red bus brought 41 children from Matakana Island District High School for a two-day visit. They arrived here on a Sunday night; very tired and very quiet after 12 hours travelling, and were immediately billeted to the many homes of the district where they were cheered up by the friendly hospitality of the hosts, a cozy room and a substantial meal. It is perhaps in these homes that the greatest benefits of the trip were realized. The children became part of our community and the community became the school. Friendships sprang up quickly and a feeling of well-being radiated from the faces of these young people and affected everybody. When I saw these children again on Monday morning I understood at once that the true value of such a trip does not stem from a knowledge gained about places, but rather from a knowledge gained about people; and that therefore A listener during a talk given during the weekend.