Hero photograph
 
Photo by Nadene Brouwer

Experience Waimairi-iri Day 2020

Nadene Brouwer —

Speed sprints with laser gates, global languages, science experiments, literature, geo-letics, choreography, art burgers, rākau and waiata, colourful maths, and digital game design were only a part of what was on offer to our talented and passionate students within the Waimairi-iri Kāhui Ako.

We are lucky to have so many skilled and expert teachers at Burnside High School, who used part of their day to showcase some of the exciting options available to Year 5 - 7 students from within the Kāhui Ako. Approximately 120 students from the contributing schools sent students, who could do morning and/or afternoon sessions in areas that they are interested in.
Many of these tamariki got to see the specialised resources and facilities on offer at Burnside High School. There were opportunities for them to use specific computer programs in Digital technology and Mathematics, as well as using the latest tech in Physical Education to measure their speed and track it. Students definitely got to use their creative talents in areas like Art where they constructed striking burger collages, and craft in the Languages faculty where they made teru teru bōzu, a traditional Japanese doll to keep the rain away. This celebration of culture continued with our dedicated kaiako and rangatahi who taught complex rākau games with waiata. English had students using their flair to embellish sentences amongst other collaborative activities and Social Sciences had students competing against each other with map skills.

The Dance troupe and their fabulous student leaders taught the tamariki a dance in 90 minutes

Waimairi-day Burnside High

and the budding Scientists conducted chemical testing and learned to use microscopes to identify all sorts of things.
During the very short breaks for kai, the tamariki were absolutely buzzing. It was so rewarding to see these students not only making connections with one another but their excitement at using their talents and seeing how these can be channeled in the future.
Hugest acknowledgments to the staff who took the time to put these engaging opportunities together, Monet Schutte for the spectacular welcome song, the student leaders who worked alongside and lead the manuhiri, and all the kura who enabled students to be part of this very successful day.