Ōtautahi Is Flash

Two of our ākonga were selected for publication as part of the WORD Christchurch Festival. Congratulations to Mckenzie Sheard, 12DTH and Charmare Steyn, 9CLBN on being selected for publication for Ōtautahi is Flash, a special interactive flash fiction installation at The Crossing, as part of the WORD Christchurch Festival 2024. The brief was to write 100 words or less relating to Ōtautahi Christchurch.

Our talented ākonga were selected based on the merits of their writing and their work was on display in Kettlewell Lane, The Crossing, until the end of October. Both ākonga have received a $100 book voucher in recognition of their publication. Congratulations Mckenzie and Charmare. We are very proud of your achievement and mahi. 

Toikupu: Spoken Word And Poetry Evening

On Wednesday 25th of September, a group of poets, writers, whānau and friends gathered together in Te Whare Ako to celebrate poetry and the spoken word at Te Aratai College. The evening began with kai and displays of stunning pieces of writing from the English Learning Area. This was followed by an intimate sharing of spoken word and poetry. 

Our WORD: The Front Line slam poets performed with passion and emotion, sharing their anger, enthusiasm, joy and determination with their audience. Eloquent poetry from our Fresh Voices poets was also shared. Ms Singh shared one of her poems and the finale went to special guest Dietrich Soakai, who simultaneously wrote and delivered an impromptu poem based on ideas from the audience including culture, butterflies, bravery and sentiment. The audience was in awe watching a poem being created like magic from these few words of inspiration.  

Special thanks to the poets for their bravery and confidence: Verna Nery, Olivia Stuart, Claudia Hight, Chelsea Timpson, Isabel Marshall-Ma, Bri Trask, Fatemah Ahmadi, and Lilly-Marie Douglass. A huge thanks to MCs Peyton Hayes and Emeline Palu who did an incredible job. Thank you also to the Music Department for their support of the event and to the English Learning Area for sharing some incredible student work. 

Inspired Rangatahi Attend WORD Christchurch:

Inspiring Minds Festival

On the 27th of August, English students were invited to the WORD Christchurch festival 2024 Inspiring Minds Secondary Schools' Day alongside other high schools from across Christchurch. We took the bus to the University of Canterbury where we were all united in the C Block lecture theatre. One by one, authors stepped up to the podium presenting stories, art and inspiration.

Sasha LaPointe

Sasha is an indigenous poet from the Upper Skagit and Nooksack Indian Tribe. She grew up loving punk rock and still does. Sasha was also a teen runaway and has expressed her struggle with mental health in the environment she was raised in. Her stories guide as a healing property according to her. Sasha Lapointe wants everyone to remember strength and resilience are great morals.

Pip Adam

Pip Adam is a New Zealand novelist. She was kicked out of school at 16 and became a hairdressing apprentice. She struggled with drugs and alcohol but that never stopped Pip from writing. She also makes a podcast called “Better Off Read.”

Bariz Shah

Bariz Shah moved to New Zealand with his family from Afghanistan and Pakistan just before 9/11 happened. He was bottling up anger and trauma and ended up being expelled from high school.  He ended up in Auckland prison serving a sentence for crimes he committed. He realised that he had to make a change. He told us to never feel sorry for ourselves and to use bad things as fuel to strive for better. The last question he wanted us to consider was: ‘What life do you want to live?’

Anika Moa

Anika talked about how she grew up in Hornby and was a GANGSTA. She loves words, writing and music. Anika Moa wants people to remember when you’re done, always start again, and to focus on what drives you. Also… Skibidi.

These were the first four speakers. In my personal opinion, it was a great trip and brought people together to experience how the university felt. The trip showed how students are affected by words. It was just a great time all around. Thank you to Mr Miller (student teacher), Miss Campbell and Ms Singh for taking us on this fantastic trip.  A huge thank you also to WORD Christchurch for hosting us and covering our transport costs. We appreciate your support for our kura and ākonga.

English Ākonga Visit Kimihia Early Learning Centre

Term 4 in the English Learning Area saw our Year 9 and Year 10 ākonga once again visiting Kimihia Early Learning Centre to read pukapuka to the tamariki. This tradition began in 2023 and was so well received by the tamariki and their kaiako, as well as Te Aratai College rangatahi, that we are now running a series of sessions in 2024. Our ākonga spend time selecting a picture book, practise reading the book aloud and then enjoy reading the book to the tamariki at mat time. It is incredible to see the excitement of the tamariki as they greet their visitors and introduce themselves, as well as their joy as they are read to. Our rangatahi are equally excited to spend time with these wonderful tamariki and have demonstrated ngā uara o Te Aratai College of rangatiratanga, manaakitanga and whanaungatanga. Thank you to all our Te Aratai College rangatahi for so beautifully demonstrating joy in reading and care for our tamariki. Thank you also to the Centre Manager, Radhika Chakrabarti, and the amazing kaiako at Kimihia Early Learning Centre for welcoming Te Aratai College ākonga and building this wonderful partnership.