On Wednesday 16th October, the Arts Prize Giving acknowledged the significant participation, contribution, and commitment of our students to the Arts.

In service, leadership commitment, and achievement in the arts at both regional and national levels, across the many genres of Communications (speaking, writing, debating)  and the Arts: Dance, Drama, Visual Arts, and Music, we celebrate you.

It was also wonderful to see the special live performances with Music, Dance, and Drama students opening with ‘New York, New York’ and the spectacular ‘Celebrate’ - a fitting way to highlight the success and creativity of many.

‘Te toi whakairo, ka ihiihi, ka wehiwehi, ka aweawe te ao katoa’

Artistic excellence makes the world sit up in wonder.

This whakataukī is about an emotional, physical, and spiritual reaction or feeling to something creative. Whether or not it is a creative process, moment, artwork, or performance. Hopefully, it brought you joy and the people who saw it or had the beautiful privilege of being involved in the journey. Arts has an incredible ability to inspire many. So keep creating!

A special mention of the Supreme Winners in the Arts for 2024 must be made:

Māreikura Taonga is presented to a humble woman who gives strength to support others to excel in the Arts. Amber Keam

The Te Kotahitanga Award is a new award that has been gifted by the 2024 prefects. The Kotahitanga Award celebrates a student’s outstanding contribution to fostering teamwork and unity within the arts.   Hawa Seki-Lema

The Supreme Arts Awards acknowledge those students who are at the pinnacle of their cultural careers while at Tauranga Girls’ College.  These awards celebrate and recognise the outstanding achievement, participation, contribution, and leadership of these students. 

Supreme Award - Communications -Kiarni Sperling.

Supreme Award – Grace Billinghurst

Supreme Awards - Visual Arts-  Zoe Samson

Supreme Award - Music-  Hawa Seki-Lema.

Supreme Award – Dance -. Faith Shotton-Brown

Supreme Award - Drama - Ashana Watene

Arts Extraordinaire  This award is for Excellence across the Community of Arts. It was first presented in 2013 and has only been awarded a total of six times.  Congratulations, Ansh Dhot.

‘Thank you' - Firstly to our talented, committed, and passionate teachers of the arts. For allowing our students to shine. For walking alongside, encouraging, upskilling, and believing in every student’s worth.

Secondly to our whanau who support their young person by being the taxi service, waiting for rehearsals to finish after their own long day at work. Providing the means for their young person to have the skills to access the opportunities available in the Arts. 

It is a team effort. Students especially those in year 13, well done, for many of you this is your fifth awards evening, yes 202o was held during the day due to the C word

Thank you for your contribution. We have enjoyed watching you grow and develop, take those skills, and embrace the next steps.‘ Mrs Philippa Ferguson

Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari kē he toa takitini 

My success should not be bestowed onto me alone, 

it was not individual success but the success of a collective 

This whakatauki acknowledges team effort, that one’s success is due to the support and contribution of many. Just as it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a community/a team to enable an individual’s success.

Thank you to all.