This term we have a school-wide focus on Art.

Students have been busy learning a range of art techniques, producing a range of art-works.  The Art-work itself is designed so that students can develop some big 'understandings'.  They are, that the arts;

• Are powerful forms of personal, social, and cultural expression.

• Are unique “ways of knowing” that enable individuals and groups to create ideas and images that reflect, communicate, and change their views of the world.

• Are expressions of culture, the arts pass on and renew our heritage and traditions and help to shape our sense of identity.

Our artwork is going to be on show around the school - refreshing some of our spaces, like the hall, classrooms and foyers, with art that is more current.  As well as this we are planning a cultural day to show-case our best pieces as well as celebrate the many 'cultures' of our school.  This is planned for Term 2.

Already our teachers have planned and engaged the students in some meaningful learning opportunities that connect our students to their identity and community.

Yesterday I sat in on a session with Room 7 and Whaea Delanie learning about the significance of Korowai and the kaupapa associated with this.  The students looked at our Korowai and shared knowledge of their own.  They have some interesting art work planned as a result.

While the Year 7 and 8 students have been at Rangitīkei College for Technology, Mr Bell is working with the Year 6 students developing technical drawing skills.

These are but a few of the examples of our learning at the moment and we look forward to sharing more with you as the term progresses.