What do a determined resistance fighter and spy, a record-breaking aviatrix and an international tennis star have to do with an orchestra?

Yesterday, a group of year 5 and 6 students attended a concert by the Auckland Philharmonic Orchestra and the Massive Theatre company.  

This combined drama and musical experience wove us through the life of 3 famous NZ women, Nancy Wake - a resistance fighter and spy, Jean Batten - a pilot who in 1936 made the first-ever direct flight from England to NZ, and Ruia Morrison - the first New Zealand woman and the first Māori person to play at Wimbledon and reached the quarter-finals in 1957.  

The music played was written by NZ composers, two of whom were in the audience with us!  It was a great, fun learning experience and the first orchestra concert for many students.  A big thanks to Mrs Vanderwee, Ms O'Shea, Anna, and Mrs R for accompanying the group to the Aotea Centre.