A few weeks ago, the Upper School held a Student Clubs Fair so Upper School students could get an idea of all of the opportunities students have to join lunch clubs that align with their interests.

Each Raphael House Student Club has a designated teacher supervisor that guides the group if needed, but most of these clubs have been initiated by (and are largely run by) students. One of the exciting things about our Student Clubs is that students from all classes get to make connections and work together with other students who share similar interests. Please read about all of the exciting groups that are having fun each week together and are working on initiatives to improve the world.

Roots and Shoots/Environment Club

Roots and Shoots is starting the year off with ambition. They are aiming to implement better solutions to waste management around the school, such as reducing paper waste and starting up a new composting system along with a garden to utilise this compost. They are also thrilled to be coordinating the upcoming school strike for climate on March 3rd, and this week they're hosting a poster-making session in the Art Room. Roots and Shoots meets each Wednesday during lunch near the fishpond garden.

Student Leadership

Student Leadership this year is off to a great start! They are working on getting sports equipment, setting up sports activities, and planning upcoming events for the students. They are planning an international Woman’s Day activity and have already started planning for Pink Shirt Day and 40-hour Famine next term. Student Leadership is a great way for students to get involved in the school spirit and enact the change they want to see. Everyone is welcome, and meetings will be held on Tuesdays at lunchtime in The Learning Hub.

Book Club

Students who love to read are encouraged to come to Book Club to talk about books they love, share current books they are reading with others and discuss movie-adaptations of texts. Once each month, Book Club creates book-themed crafts while we discuss and chat about books and the club is keen to start fundraising for book titles for an Upper School book collection. Book Club meets each Thursday during lunch in the Drama Room.

Rainbow Club

Rainbow Club meets every Friday at lunchtime in the drama room. The group has 3 main purposes:

1) Social – to meet like-minded people (members of the rainbow community and allies), share kai and have some fun together

2) Support – to provide rainbow youth with support and a safe place to talk about their experiences

3) Action – be a part of organising events like pride week, pink shirt day, and other initiatives that support LGBTQIA+ people in our community

Geek Club

Geek Club, is a tabletop games club that runs every lunchtime next to the Art Room for rangatahi from Class 8 to 12 to meet and play strategy-based games. Currently there are games of Magic the Gathering and Warhammer 40K running, but they have plans to start Dungeons & Dragons and Settlers of Catan. If you are new to this, they also have free Games Workshop models to build and paint. In addition, rangatahi with experience of Warhammer 40K can join the Warhammer League which runs after school on Wednesdays.

Feminist Club

All are welcome! Some of the goals of the club are:

• To Promote a safe, healthy environment for discussions about issues students are passionate about.

• To Provide student leadership opportunities that promote resiliency, empowerment, and awareness.

• To Inspire students to contribute to causes related to social justice and gender inequities in local communities.

Feminist Club meets every Monday during lunch in the Drama Room. The group is currently coordinating donations for period products needed in areas impacted by the cyclone.

Karapu Kai

This Thursday lunchtime club is an immersion Te Reo Māori cooking session where only Te Reo is spoken. It is open to class 11 and 12 students as they did not have the opportunity to elect Te Reo Māori this year. Last week we made Pīta (pita bread pizzas) and kepapa huarākau (fruit kebabs).

Kapa Haka

This Tuesday morning Upper School elective group learns new waiata-a-ringa (action songs), waiata and haka in preparation for leading the mihi whakatau, poroporoaki and festival songs. At the moment we are learning the hand gestures from Dr Rangi Mataamua for the constellations for the lunar months called Ngā Marama o Te Tau Māori.