Pupil wins class a night at the museum
The displays may not come alive, but a Red Beach School class just might when they spend a night at the Auckland Museum.
Thanks to a creative drawing by Room 5 pupil Jaden Ingram, his whole year 5 and 6 class has won a school art competition run by Robert and Jeanette on The Breeze.
From hundreds of entries across Auckland, Jaden’s future museum design, which included a teleporter, flying cars and an endangered species duplicator, was chosen as the best.
He and his classmates will now enjoy a sleepover at the museum on the last Friday of the school holidays.
Robert and Jeanette from The Breeze paid the class a visit last week to announce the news, along with Magpie the time traveller who will host the night at the museum.
Jaden says the Breeze visit was a ‘‘big surprise,’’ and although the class was asked to dress nicely on the day, they didn’t guess why.
Unfortunately, the afternoon wasn’t quite so lucky for Jaden, who tore a ligament in his leg playing dodgeball at lunchtime, putting him in a knee brace.
The trip, which includes educational talks by scientists and a night sleeping under the dome, has proven very popular with parent help, Jaden’s mum Larissa says.
‘‘All of the parents have come out of the woodwork,’’ she laughs.
Larissa has other commitments, but says her husband is ‘‘beside himself with excitement’’ for the trip, and he’s not alone.
Two of Jaden’s friends want to cancel their trips overseas to join the class at the museum, Larissa says.
A talented young artist, this isn’t the first time Jaden’s artistic talents have won him a prize.
Earlier this year at the WeetBix TRYathlon, Jaden noticed a drawing competition.
‘‘We couldn’t find him for about 30 minutes, and then we found him in a tent drawing,’’ Larissa says.
Jaden’s drawing was announced as the winner later that day, scoring him a custom mini fridge with his design printed on the door.
Not too keen on a mini fridge, Jaden used his bargaining prowess to strike a deal with his dad, who had eyes on the fridge to keep his beers cold.
A deal was made, and Jaden swapped the fridge for a new bike of the same value.