In the background you can see a faint outline of the Southern Alps but I guess you are probably not looking at that. Front and centre is the principal of Greymouth High School who came to the Greymouth Airfield to proudly represent two Year 13 students who have become notorious at appearing in the local newspaper. Their passion is flying, especially a custom built prototype that is dubbed the Kotuku. This was a test of the resilience and flight worthiness of the duck-taped, Styrofoam, aerodynamically balanced-to-the-millimetre drone, which did not fail to enthrall its onlookers by soaring and banking through the perfect, still blue sky. History was definitely made on this day, the 14th of August 2020. I, as their teacher, mentor and project manager, am their biggest fan and could not be prouder of Henry Priebe and Ittai Perchig as they head to the University of Canterbury to continue living their dream.

I think this flight was an important one! We needed a feel good story that could put to rest all the opposition we have faced over the last year when the vision of the Kotuku was born in the humble little Digital Technologies Lab. The structure of the Kotuku and the competence of the operators was questioned often. Why should we spend time allowing two students to dream when we have to teach them the basics? It was called a pipe dream and thought crazy! How can something so flimsy take to the air and be controlled at all? They said the same thing about Richard Pearce when he ‘set out to solve the problem of aerial navigation.’ I am so glad that we persevered through the negativity and allowed Henry and Ittai to find their wings; no one can ever take away that moment from them.

The Kotuku glided to a halt amist loud cheers from a group of avid fans made up of students, parents and visitors, with a thrilled teacher joining in. An important message went out to the junior students of Greymouth High School present on the airfield on Friday; courage, passion, dedication and the support of people who believe in your dreams can help you overcome insurmountable challenges and accomplish your goals. It's absolutely true-it takes a village to fly a drone!

Aleta Chowfin

Digital Technologies Teacher