Arts students show their skills
Waihi College has just celebrated its 2018 Cultural Awards last Thursday evening with students showing art projects they have been working on throughout the year.
Under the lead of digital media teacher Pippa Russell a group of year 11 students held an interactive digital exhibition inside the College hall.
They created 15 art installations working around the theme of Mythology.
“Everyone has approached this theme from their own cultural experience,” Pippa says, inspired by Roman and Greek mythologies and Ma¯ori history to their own digital world.
Students Jake Gilmor and Trav Anderson created Mirror Mirror, a smart mirror displaying weather forecasts and other notes.
Trav says he wanted to do something different.
“You look on the mirror see what date and time it is and other information.
“I thought it was pretty cool,” Trav says.
Jake, who wants to be a builder, built the mirror frame.
Dakota Sinclair presented a three-part interactive installation entitled E toru Nga¯ Tohu, based on the local maunga of significance, showing Maori history intertwined with the Ohinemuri river.
Pippa says she was impressed by the quality of work the Year 13 student had shown.
“That is a huge amount of work telling the story of Waihi with the three mountains.
“I am so happy he has found his niche in digital media.”
Year 11 student Keelan Simpson chose to play with Greek mythology, creating a computer game which dragged Greek heads to their bust stands.
Drama students held several performances throughout the night, and the audience was warned that some had strong language and mild sexual content. A contemporary drama had five senior students working their way around abusive relationships and the need to stand up for oneself was applauded.
The drama was written by students Avalon McNair and Leah Butterworth.
Avalon, who was presented with the Dramatic Performer of the Year and Most Outstanding Awards, played alongside Nikita McAlister and a trio of international students — Constantin Sieve, Kim Eckard and Kilian Ksoll.
Music students also showcased their talents, singing in Te Reo and Te Ara Poutama with kapa haka.
Music teacher Bob Paton is retiring and was acknowledged by the principal and students for his 21 years of work at the school.
James Hessey’s musical skills especially at piano also received an award and student Amaru Donaldson won two awards with one being the Supreme Cultural Award.
Other artwork, drawings and photographs were also showcased by the students.