International Arts Education Week Celebrated

The school acknowledged the week by holding an arts focused assembly. Very fittingly, proceedings begun with the school pipe band leading the students into the chapel.

After being led in, the whole school stood and sung Purea Nei, a waiata which opened the assembly and served as a great reminder of the function a waiata can perform; to settle the space so that things can begin. 

We were then introduced to this year's Arts Prefects, Qwenton McKenzie and Rylan Urquart. Qwenton outlined his favourite disciplines in the arts, and how they work to aid in benefiting both him as an individual and the community as a whole.  

Unfortunately Rylan was absent on the day, but was introduced by Caleb Durant, who informed us of Rylan's arts expertise in music, and reminded us of Rylan's dual position as both Chapel, and Deputy Arts Prefect.

The ākonga (students) were then informed of some experiences to be had in the arts, including the Ōtepoti Secondary Improv Club, in which Year 8 Student Noah Konia shared with us his experience in the club, and how the sessions are going.

We also heard updates on the Rock Quest regional heats, with two JMC bands going through to the Regional Final, a magnificent achievement.

There were then updates for Pipe Band, Kapahaka, the senior Drama trip to the Court Theatre in Christchurch, Year 13 Eli Gepte's casting in Legally Blonde, and a display of amazing photographs from our students in the Art Department.

Qwenton also reminded everyone of the Arts Hub google site, which you can access here, and the JMC Arts Instagram page (@mcglashan_arts), both of which can keep you up to date with the arts happenings at John McGlashan College.

The assembly was a great refresher of the different art opportunities on offer at the college, as well as an insight into how the arts can work in tandem with other disciplines for a balanced education and life, or as a pathway to develop an expertise in.