This June, our Year 11 history class embarked on an enriching trip to Rotorua to hear from Minnijean Brown, a prominent American Civil Rights activist.

As one of the Little Rock Nine, Minnijean was among the first black students to integrate an all-white high school in Arkansas in 1957.

This experience was incredibly valuable for our Year 11 students, who have been studying the Black Civil Rights movement. Meeting someone who personally lived through and contributed to such a pivotal historical event brought their studies to life, making the history more tangible and relatable.

The trip to Rotorua and the chance to hear from Minnijean Brown left a lasting impact on our students, inspiring them to appreciate the significance of the Civil Rights movement and its enduring relevance today.