Ngati Whatua Ki Orakei
On Monday 28 November a group of kaiako travelled to Ngati Whatua ki Orakei. Representatives from the different departments were involved in sessions including: learning about korowai, the history of Takaparawhau and the iwi mara kai.
Ka nui te mihi ki a Whaea Larissa mo to mahi. An awesome day hearing from the whanau of the iwi and their experiences. We look forward to an ongoing relationship in 2023 and beyond.
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Learning Support Department Cornwallis Picnic
On Friday 25 November the Learning Support Department went to Cornwallis for a picnic. Despite fears of inclement weather, the rain held off so the only dampness was created by paddlers splashing water at each other. Water quality was deemed to be risky so actual swimming was not advisable. Time passed quickly throwing frisbees, kicking balls, dancing, digging holes, making sandcastles, eating, relaxing and generally having a lot of fun.
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University of Auckland
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Whakapiki Ake Te Whē Year 10 Programme
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The Whakapiki Ake Te Whē Year 10 programme final phase took place on 17 November, with four Lynfield College rangatahi visiting the University of Auckland Grafton Campus, supported by Mr Coop.
The goal was to raise awareness about the importance of the core secondary school subjects and the choices rangatahi are making in these early years. The day provided exposure to science, Māori role models and potential career pathways. Groups rotated around Health Science workshops, giving our rangatahi experiences in Optometry, Biology and Chemistry laboratories. The University staff extended such aroha to our students, who thoroughly enjoyed the kaupapa, the kai and the over-all experience of whanaungatanga that was shown towards them. Our Māori rangatahi look forward to building on this experience in 2023 with further opportunities offered by the University. |
Unveiling New Zealand's first Olympic Medal
Tumuaki Cath Knell and Year 12 students Sports Captain Maria Petelo and Deputy Head Student Tom Tuipulotu attended an official invitation on 19 November to the unveiling by their Excellencies the Governor General Dame Cindy Kiro GNZM,QSO., and Dr. Richard Davis of Darcy Hadfield’s Olympic Medal from the 1920 Games held at the Waitemata Rowing Club Inc. Taipari Strand, Te Atatu Peninsula.
Darcy Hadfield was inducted into the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame in 1990.
Hadfield was a member of the first solely New Zealand team to go to an Olympics, in Antwerp in 1920, where he was third in the single sculls winning New Zealand’s first Olympic medal.
Two years later he challenged and beat Dick Arnst on the Whanganui River for the world professional title and lost it three months later to Australian Jim Paddon.
Hadfield’s career, which began with national rowing titles in 1911 was interrupted by World War I, during which he was wounded at Passchendaele. He was also invalided out of the trenches because of bronchitis.Hadfield won the singles at the Henley Peace Regatta in 1919 and at the Inter-Allied Games in Paris same year, he also won the single sculls and was awarded a gold watch as one of the two outstanding competitors at the Games.
More information can be found at this link: https://www.olympic.org.nz/athletes/darcy-hadfield/ |
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| Darcy Hadfield winner of New Zealand's first Olympic medal (bronze), in his competitive days | Tom Tuipulotu, Governor General Dame Cindy Kiro GNZM,QSO., Maria Petalo and Tumuaki Cath Knell |
Meet Michael Gu
Lifeguard Support at Mt Albert Aquatic Centre
Michael Gu is a Lynfield College student and also works as a Lifeguard Support person at Belgravia Leisure’s Mt Albert Aquatic Centre.
He has been a visitor at Mt Albert Aquatic Centre for many years and has been actively involved in the Learn to Swim Program since 2015.
| Michael, who has Down Syndrome, is a valued member of the team at Mt Albert. His role has been adapted so he can assist the team with venue-closing tasks twice a week. Michael has a very big personality and is a favourite among team members and guests alike. The impact of social acceptance, integration, and employment opportunities for people in our communities with a disability is immeasurable.
Irene Smith, NZ Operations Manager for Belgravia Leisure says, “Work opportunities in New Zealand, particularly for people who have a disability, are few and far between. “A small percentage of companies are able to support those in our community with a neurodiverse disability such as Down Syndrome, so this has been a rewarding experience for the team who have made me extremely proud. “Michael has made such an impact on the team since officially coming on board and I look forward to seeing what else he achieves at Mt Albert Aquatic Centre,” Irene said. Michael’s mother Sophia says, “This job gives Michael great confidence in himself. It lets him feel that he is no different to others and it lets him know that he can achieve anything. “Since Michael got a job at Mt Albert, he has become a different person. He started to help more at home, has learnt patience, listens and is more polite to others, plus he has gained new social skills. “Michael loves the wave pool, water slide and especially the non-judgmental friendly team who always make Michael feel welcome,” Sophia concluded.
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Christmas Cakes for Age Concern
On 14 November 2022, a selected group of students got together to bake Christmas Cakes in the commercial kitchen for Age Concern. This initiative is part of the culture of Caring for our Community since 2010. Countdown Lynfield generously donated all the ingredients to produce 113 Christmas Cakes. Students enjoyed writing a personal message and then adding Christmas cheer in the wrapping of their gifts.
On 24 November 2022, Age Concern was presented with the Christmas Cakes, as well as knitted products that Ms Birch with students from her knitting club completed.
Age Concern Auckland is a charity working with older members of our community who are vulnerable for various reasons. This includes Seniors who are experiencing abuse and neglect, those living in poverty and just struggling to get by, and those who are lonely and in need of visits and support to build up their confidence and make their day a little brighter. In the weeks before Christmas, to brighten the lives of Seniors they are working with Age Concern Auckland delivers them a little bit of Christmas cheer by delivering them a small Christmas Cake or a Christmas Care Bag with cake and a few treats inside. Age Concern Auckland is incredibly appreciative of the gorgeous Christmas Cakes that Lynfield College bakes and donates to distribute in the local area. The love and care put into the baking by your students and fantastic staff is amazing.
Alexis Sawyers, Fundraising and Communications Manager at Age Concern Auckland Incorporated
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International Silent Film Festival Awards Night
The International Youth Silent Film Festival NZ Regionals Screening and Awards night was held on Wednesday 16 November at the Baycourt Community and Arts Centre in Tauranga. Congratulations to Lynfield College student Emma Wagner (Year 10) and her filmmaking team who placed 2nd on the night with their film The Unusual Suspects.
This year’s ceremony featured a special guest, American philanthropist and IYSFF founder Jon ‘JP’ Palanuk, plus the top 10 films had their soundtracks performed live on Baycourt’s ‘Mighty Wurlitzer’ theatre organ by the competition’s official composer, Nathan Avakian.
The IYSFF is an annual global competition challenging young filmmakers aged 20 and under from across the United States of America, Montenegro, Hungary, Australia, The United Arab Emirates, and New Zealand to create a three-minute silent film set to one of 10 musical scores composed specifically for the festival.
In 2020 Lynfield College filmmaker Daniel Wardadi won the IYSFF NZ Regionals. His winning film Lost in Time was also screened on Wednesday night to acknowledge his significant win during Covid lockdown, when the festival was held online.
Lynfield College has a long history of success with this festival, producing many finalists, place getters and even a World win in 2019 with Harry Ashley, Raymond Feng, Shamir Sarif's film Over-Exposed.
Placing 2nd, The Unusual Suspects will now compete in the International final competition in Portland, Oregon, USA next year in June.
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Year 10 Dance Students Showcase Achievement
On Friday 11 November a group of students from the Year 10 Dance course performed three short dances at the Year 9 Assembly in the lower gym. The group performed a mix of original and learned dances. Although the performers were nervous to present to such a large audience, they performed very well, showcasing both their creativity and technical skill. The Year 9 students were a very focused and appreciative audience. Here are some of their responses:
“It was really interesting and inspired me to take dance next year.” Reny
“I could see how much effort they had put in. The dances were really well-rehearsed.” Arlene
“It was inspiring and motivated a few of us Year 9s to get out of our comfort zone and explore dance next year.” Ana
“It was actually pretty good. It encouraged a few of my friends to join dance next year because the dances looked exciting, well-rehearsed.” Gabrielle
A big thank you to Mr Braithwaite, Year 9 Dean for allowing the dancers to perform. We will certainly be back next year with a new group of dancers.
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Te Ringa Awhina: Moving the Taonga
Outside the right of the steps within the waharoa to Te Ringa Awhina Marae is a stone on which is a plaque with the words:
“Kua hinga he totara, Whakatipua he ara hou
He Rangatira Ko Ben Te Ninihi Taawhiti
E maumahara ana tatou, Ben Te Ninihi Tawhiti 1934 - 2012”
Ben Te Ninihi Tawhiti started at Lynfield in 1985 as a teacher of Te Reo, and over the ensuing years became a loved and respected Kaumatua of Lynfield College. After his passing in 2012 this plaque and stone were sighted outside the entrance to Te Ringa Awhina. Beside it was planted a young Totara – a future forest giant.
But time has moved on and so must our Marae – to a new location overlooking our playing fields with views out to six Auckland maunga. This will facilitate the construction of a new block of 30 teaching spaces.
Even though it was a rainy afternoon on Friday 11 November, a group of special guests came together to korero about Kaumatua Ben. They included Ben’s whanau (Moana, Lisa and Jacob), Past Principal's Jim Sinclair and Steve Bovaird. They were welcomed by Tumuaki Cath Knell to begin the process of acknowledging the need to move the stone and Totara. Following the opening Himene and Karakia, Ben's grandson spoke followed by Past Principal's Jim Sinclair and Steve Bovaird, Whaea Maihi and Hone Peri. Ben’s whanau were invited to lift and turn the soil around rakau accompanied by our Kapa haka.
Ben’s plaque and stone have been moved to a temporary site beside the Library until such time as they can be moved to a new permanent location once the new teaching block and the Marae have been completed.
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Ben Tawhiti is legendary for his stunning steel-guitar playing on the 1957 single ‘Haka Boogie’, which mixed te reo with rock’n’roll. But his career spanned seven decades and influenced countless other musicians. He began performing as a child at wartime dances, played at Auckland’s Orange Ballroom and the Māori Community Centre, and continued making music and mentoring others until his death in 2012.
More information about Ben Tawhiti can be found here: https://www.audioculture.co.nz/profile/ben-tawhiti
Year 13 Appreciation Day
A special Year 13 Appreciation Day was held on Tuesday 1 November. The weather was magnificent, and the atmosphere was relaxed with music playing and staff and students sitting on picnic blankets and under gazebos on the field.
Ms Arthur began the day with a final assembly where certificates were presented to a number of students and thanks, acknowledgements and farewells were given.
Sophie, Kartik, Teesha and Oliver started things off with words of appreciation to staff and reflections on the Year 13 journey over the last five years. They then gave out several mock awards to extremely deserving recipients!
Subway and tasty sausages were provided for lunch before the Year 13 students v staff Softball match. Although there were some outstanding Year 13 players, such as Lucas Lockhart, they just couldn’t compete with some outstanding pitching from Rob Skeen and the experience of the staff team. Staff finally won the game 4 – 1.
It really was a fantastic day with a fun filled atmosphere and everyone signing shirts, taking photographs, and sharing memories. A massive thank you to everyone for their help in planning, setting up, participating, and clearing up! It was a day that will always be remembered. |
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Special Olympics Futsal Competition
Held on Tuesday 1 November at the Trusts Stadium at Central Park Drive this was a special event. The following quote is from supporting teacher on the day Peter Jamieson:
“This is the first time I have been to such an event - I was most impressed with how ‘inclusive’ the event was - all students - some in wheelchairs and others with supportive walkers were able to play - a fantastic day and a very pleasing result for our students - played four games and won three.”
The Team included: Hasan Khan, Jayden Baek, Matthew Doyle, Kayan Mehta, Samantha Sides, Michael Gu, Alex Finan-Jenkin, Sumer Nyayapati, Isaac Taufoou, Mohammad Khudayar, Zion Levao, Joel Coghlan, Caleb Kaukau. They were accompanied by teachers: Carmeline D’Souza and Peter Jamieson.
Special thanks to their support team of Learning Assistants (Paul de Pont, Rachael Stephenson, Ansab Qureshi, Lorraine Vaaelua, Poto Laulu, Amber Parks and Seini Moala), who were fantastic at organising the students and substituting players regularly to ensure all players had a fair turn on court. |
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