69 Degrees North

"Tour de Hallevika"

Bjarkøy School has a physical education program this year called '69 degrees North' where the entire school of 54 students from 1st - 10th grades were split into groups with students from all grade groups represented in each group. 

The school has climbed mountain tops, gone skiing, hiked and the last activity of the year, was 'Tour de Hallevika' on Sandsøy. The students biked from the ferry dock to the old soccer field on Sandsøy (where this photo is from) and from there to 'Hallevika'.

A handful of students didn't have bikes, so they hiked the distance instead. A couple teacher stayed behind at the soccer field to prepare lunch while the students continued down forest roads.....

....and forest trails....it got narrower...and there is lots of moose on Sandsøy....it didn't scare the students, though.....

Bike parking!

.......to the beach! Sandsøy means 'island of sand' and there are many, many sand beaches. The area of islands around Sandsøy is told to be the second largest coral reef in Northern Europe (haven't found any written proof on it, though). You can find vast amounts of beautiful shells of all sizes and shapes. As you can see: There are lots of Vikings in this area!

The principal, John-Erik Kristiansen, also checked out the water. In the background from the left: Rebecca, Veronica, Barbara, Marcus and Axel.

Some kids just stayed out in the water....brrrrrr.

And some just wanted to watch.

The teachers who stayed behind at the soccer field, got the grill going. Dozens of hotdogs and hamburgers were prepared. The kids ate them with potato lefse. Yummy!

Students warming up by the fire. The Farm incorporated Preschool also came to play and BBQ with the school kids.

After good food, it was time for a soccer game between the students from 1st-4th grades and the girls teachers (with a little help from students Cecilie and Michelle). The teachers won (in the photo), which wasn't too popular with Barbara!

There is a great playground by the soccer field. Lots to do for the kids.

A fun day with all the kids....a great program for the students. Thanks to the teachers who plan all these great activities.