Graduation for young mums
Waiopehu College’s teen parent unit He Whare Manaaki Tangata held its fifth Poipoia graduation last Thursday evening.
The girls graduating and receiving their awards for this past year listened to a speech by Deb Wood, who, with Annmarie Montague, was the driving force behind the Teen Parent Unit five years ago .
Her life story began pretty much the same way of most girls who attend this unit - being very young mums without qualifications.
She told them to keep going, not believe life has ended for them just because they had kids young.
“Anything is possible if you put your mind to it,” she said. She knows...because that is what she did.
A highlight was the handing over of a patu to the winner of the Mate a One scholarship that honours the bond between mother and child while apart.
The symbol for this award is a carved patu, made by Matua Dan Hooper.
Abby Saunders, who went to Outward Bound this year, handed the patu over to the winner for next year, Jessica Henry.
The patu is made from native wood from Canterbury and the design is of East Coast origin.
It refers to the growing sapling (representing the child) into the mighty to¯ tara (representing the mother).
The unit’s kindergarten gave an award to Ruth Rawlines for her effort at Arohanui kindergarten, where she volunteers.
Poipoia’s Awards for 2018 were: Altrusa Literacy Award: Abby Saunders.
Lioness Club Award: Caitlin Estriech for technology and Micaela Royal for leadership.
Hauora Award: Micaela Royal. NCEA Level One Ma¯ ori: Te Oria Riroroko-Winterburn.
The Sciascia-Vickers NCEA Level One highest quality achievement cup: Brie Moore.
Dave and Ann Stout NCEA Level Two highest quality achievement cup: Jordin Daniel for achieving 99 level 2 credits, 10 of which were at excellence level and a National Certificate in Hospitality.
Hihiri i te mahara or engagement award: Abby Saunders.
Barry Petherick highest quality level three achievement cup: Abby Saunders, for achieving 109 credits at level three and university entrance.
Wariu or values award: Micaela Royal. He Huarhi Trust Scholarship: Abby Saunders, who will study nursing.
Mate a One scholarship that honours the bond between mother and child, : Abby Saunders, who went to Outward bound.