Sam stood at the end of the Barrington Street gate. His enormous bag felt heavy and uncomfortable on his back.

His new uniform felt scratchy and his shoes squeaked when he walked and pinched at his feet as if he had tiny crabs on the ends of his socks.

As he waved goodbye to mum, he turned and looked up the driveway. He began the long, long walk down the to where the other kids were meeting outside of the PAC.

He could hear laughter and cries of 'Oh my god! I can't believe it!' and high-pitched squealing as gaggles of girls reconvened after a summer apart.

Sam felt alone.

Coming to the first corner, he glanced up and saw the intimidating pou of Te Iringa o Kahukura.

The metal cloak shone in the morning sun, and the poles stood proud and fearless. He wanted to take the courage of the Rainbow God and wear it like an invisible cloak over his uniform. He wanted to stand tall and strong and proud. Instead, he felt small and afraid.

As he followed the noise of 400 Year 9 students, his heart grew smaller and his footsteps grew heavier.

Jostled from left to right, Sam tried hard to fight the urge to turn around and go back home. As he looked around, he saw some students standing outside of the huddle. They were standing with their parents looking as sad as Sam felt.

Suddenly, Sam didn't feel so heavy and small.

Within moments, the deafening call of the karanga rang out across the car park. A hush fell over the students as they stood like statues.

"Ko tēnei te reo karanga o Te iringa o Kahukura, e rere ana ki a koutou ngā rangatahi kua tae mai nei eeeee" she called. The voice projected powerfully across the school. It bounced off the buildings and zoomed up towards the heavens.

The strength of whaea's voice reminded Sam of the height of the cloak of Te Iringa o Kahukura. They both soared above the school.

Wanting to feel brave as the haka powhiri thundered out from the PAC, Sam imagined wrapping himself up in the cloak.

"Kihai ma whitihiti, kihai marakarka. Te upoko nui o te ruru Terekou"

The chant wound it's way through the the students, giving each of them goosebumps. With the invisible cloak on his back, Sam lifted his chin a little higher and entered the big doors to face the challenge within.