In a new initiative, spearheaded by our student leaders, the college has enjoyed a week of art, food, performance, and sport, celebrating the cultural diversity amongst our student body.

Each day of the week was given a theme, with students organising cultural events that fitted into that theme.

Monday was about art, with students having the opportunity to take part in Harakeke weaving. Students were also able to contribute to chalk art on the central driveway, helping to colour in an enlarged version of the school’s Kowhaiwhai pattern that features in our library.

Tuesday’s activities were geared towards the physically inclined, with gumboot tossing and the Dutch sport of Korfball available for students to try.

Wednesday was all about food and proved to be wildly popular. Students could choose from Maori, Burmese, German, Spanish and Brazilian dishes, all of which sold out.

Thursday focused on performance, with both  the Pūaha Te Tai kapa  hakagroup and rock band Sugarloaf performing in the school quad.

Friday was meant to be the crowning jewel in the week’s festivities with our annual talent show, Nayland’s Got Talent, but unfortunately the event had to be downgraded considerably due to Covid-19 Level 2 restrictions. Instead, the students adapted the competition into an online version, where acts will be shown via video and voted upon in tutor time next week.

Student leader Toby Sussex said that it was important that the week encompassed a variety of interests.

”We wanted a week where we can show what Nayland has to offer in a bunch of different respects and we tried to even it out between sports, arts and music and just try to make a fun week out of it,” Toby said.

For student leaders Sophie Hampson and Ruby Vidgen, the week was a chance to celebrate and raise awareness for cultural diversity within the school.

“It is what makes us such a cool school. It is a privilege to have such a diverse range of students and we should be celebrating that,” Ruby said.

“We have so much culture at Nayland,” Sophie agreed, “which isn’t really highlighted, especially with our international students. You know they are here, but unless you are in the classroom with them you might not interact with them much or know about their culture.”

Although the impetus for the week came from our student leaders, (including fourth student leader Harry Palmer,) the success of the event had just as much to do with the hard work of the student council, as well as several teachers.

“We’ve really been sharing the load quite a bit,” Ruby said. “Everyone has got their own connections to different people, so everyone has got their own ideas. It’s been good because it hasn’t felt like one person doing all the work, it’s been shared.”

Teacher Alice Scott, who helps facilitate senior leadership in the school, was really happy with how the week had gone.

“It has been really nice and relaxed and different students have been getting involved in different things every day, which I’ve quite liked seeing,” Ms. Scott said. “It was lovely with the weaving, just seeing juniors right through to the seniors, sitting down, chatting, and helping each other.”

While at times it has been a frustrating year for the student leaders, Ms. Scott was full of praise for the way they had adapted to the changes that have been forced upon them and thrown themselves into organizing school events, as well as inspiring others.

“These guys are really motivated to get things happening, even with this being a busy term, and with them having lots going on individually. They are always willing to put their hand up. They have been amazing. They are really good at spreading leadership out too and nurturing the next lot of young leaders coming in,” Ms. Scott said.