Dads and lads take on Taskmaster
In a series of evenings leading into Father’s Day, our Boys’ School hosted the Dads & Lads Taskmaster Competition. The event unfolded over four separate days, inviting one House per evening to the ultimate amalgamation of teamwork and spirited rivalry.
Each group faced the same series of competitive tasks. Teams consisting of three adult-and-child pairs, were challenged all evening in their cognition, physicality, and humour. Some tasks were strictly for the dads, others for the kids, and many brought everyone together to test teams wit and creativity.
A memory task kicked off the fun, challenging teams to recall a barrage of images displayed on a screen. With no pens or paper allowed, and only a couple of minutes to memorise, the teams had to rely on quick thinking and teamwork. Another highlight was the ‘Laughing Stock’ challenge, where one dad from each team had ten seconds to make the Taskmaster laugh, most resorting to jokes, silly dances, or goofy faces.
Physical challenges included a highly competitive limbo contest, which tested the dads’ flexibility (and perhaps their knees), and a pirate hat-making challenge with newspaper as the only material. Movie emoji quizzes and a word puzzle inspired by the New York Times also tested everyone’s brainpower, while a paper plane accuracy contest let the kids show off their aeronautical skills.
At the end of each night, the top team received their prize, and every participant went home with a Sal’s Pizza discount voucher. Spot prizes donated by some generous sponsors added a layer of excitement for those who didn’t quite reach the podium in the competition, and a photo booth decked out in house colours helped capture the memories.
Ultimately, the Dads & Lads Taskmaster Competition celebrated the unique bond between the men in our households. With the support of our Parents & Friends committee, teachers, and volunteers these nights were a resounding success, leaving everyone eagerly anticipating what next year’s mum and son competition might hold.
Our sincere thanks to our major sponsor Squirrel Mortgages for their support in this event. Our gratitude also goes to the following local businesses who donated spot prizes for some of our lucky dads: Remuera Golf Club, Orakei Local, Extreme Edge Rock Climbing, Sacro hydration drinks, Snowplanet, Mitre 10 Lunn Ave, Orakei Beach Club, Knead Café, and Morell Bistro & Bar. Finally, a special mention to Sal’s Pizza in Parnell for providing every dad with a voucher to share with their family.
