Mä te tika o te toki o te tangere, me te tohu o te panaho, ka pai te tere o te waka i ngä momo moana katoa.

By designing and shaping the keel of the waka to perfection,

your canoe will overcome obstacles.

This year the Cultural Blues shone a light on the thriving Arts and Culture scene at Otago Girls' High. Beginning with the striking Wairua Puhou group, lead by Mac Te Ngahue the vast amount of talent seen in the students was inspiring. To note a few performances from the evening we had; Rose Stevenson and Malina Rutt playing ‘Vivaldi Duet For Two Violins in A Minor’, the Pacific Pearls harmonic singing, Sabrina Swertloff’s Slam poem ‘Biology’ and Sarah Johnson singing her song ‘Another Day’. At one stage the audience went wild as Mr Shields, the Choir and Jazz band took to the stage playing Dr Martin’s ‘Mr Shields on the Catwalk’ followed by the hilarious student written, Drama performance ‘Polar Opposites’. With an eclectic mix of performance from Jazz, Chamber Music and Pacific Song to the student created works of Dance, Theatre, Slam Poetry and Music, the evening was full to the brim with creativity.

Celebrating students in over thirteen Arts and Culture categories alongside the overarching Scholar category, students were awarded either a Certificate, a Cultural Blue or Scholarship Blue Award for Excellence, Service and Achievement.

An evening of celebration, we recognise the students who have chosen to pursue excellence in their field of Arts and Culture. It is also an important moment to pause and acknowledge the tireless effort of our talented teachers who continuously aid the students in their endeavours, alongside the parents and caregivers that encourage their children to become involved in the arts and consistent in their pursuit.

During the evening we heard our guest speaker Dr. Cruz-Banks, the Senior Dance Lecturer at the University of Otago, share some wisdom gained from life experience  in her field. With over two decades of experience in dance, Dr Cruz-Banks highlighted how creativity has been integral to the development of her self awareness, personal growth, perseverance and gaining a real life connection to global communities, inspiring connection, movement and rhythm. The result - a life of art in practice.

A BIG thank you to all that took part in this evening, both behind the scene and on stage, as all the efforts combined helped make it a real success.

Please find below a list of Blues Recipients for 2017 Arts and Culture at Otago Girls High School.

Wairua Puhou Blues

Nikita Gibson, Christie Haua, Del'chez Lawson, Anja Matapo

Pasifika Blues

Loisi Afimeimounga, Rangi Brydon, Storm Maole, Lilly Sopoaga, Akamura Tioti, Karaleani Vakalala

Music-Instrumental Blues

Renee Mullins, Rose Stevenson, Sarah de Vries, Josephine Frazer

Choir Blues

Meg Cunningham-Tisdall, Josephine Frazer, Lucy Pollock, Meredith Walker, Sarah Hubbard

Visual Arts Blues

Holly Mason, Charlotte Woodhouse, Jess Greenan, Brianna Markham, Veronica Wallace, Ariana Knudson-Hollebon, Sophie Sowerby, Laura Kennelly, Annabelle Latta

Technology Blues

Holly Mason, Ariana Knudson-Hollebon, Tuihana Taiaroa-Smithies

Enviroschools Blues

Josie Frazer, Anya Kardailsky

Community Service Blues

Caitlyn Smith, Jemma Jeong, Amara Muldrew, Grace Hayward

Drama Blues

Molly Parker, Larissa Howie, Emily Atkinson, Sarah Hubbard, Josephine Frazer, Surrey Fisher

Dance Blues

Priyanka Poulton, Danielle Lee, Annabel Marshall, Blaire Hanna, Summer Johnson, Bethany Astwood

Stage Challenge Blues

Danielle Lee, Annabel Marshall, Amara Muldrew, Kaila Jowsey, Sarah Jocelyn

Debating Blues

Sabrina Swerdloff, Anna Dawes

Public Speaking Blues

Alex Martin, Hayley Dick

Nga Manu Korero Blues

Hannah Matehaere

Scholar Blues

Lucy Matehaere, Anna Dawes, Jessica Tyrrell, May Cavanagh, Louise Lin, Hannah King, Ruby Franks, Brynn McBurney, Meredith Walker, Madeleine Reid, Rose Stephenson, Cecile Wagener, Emily Harrex, Elena Bostina, Emma Ward, Annabel Low, Malina Rutt, Lily Johnston, Katelyn Phillips, Katie Gotlieb, Elsa Neuman, Muychheng Oeng, Maddie Millhouse, Lucy Pollock