Rangatahi making a difference!

---

Last year, when Abby Golden, a board member of the bullying prevention non-profit organisation Sticks’n’Stones, approached us at the college about involving our rangatahi in a new youth impact network, I leapt at the opportunity to invite some of my outstanding senior drama students to take part.

Why would Drama Students Make Powerful Advocates you may ask?

Drama students are uniquely equipped to lead conversations around social issues and advocacy. Through their acting training, they develop a deep sense of empathy by stepping into the lives and experiences of others. This perspective-taking allows them to connect with diverse communities and understand the human stories behind complex challenges.

Their strength lies not only in empathy but also in communication. With well-honed skills in public speaking, storytelling, and emotional expression, drama students can deliver messages that are both impactful and memorable. They know how to craft narratives that move people—making abstract issues tangible and urgent. In addition, their confidence, collaboration, and courage on stage translate seamlessly into real-world activism. Whether leading a campaign, performing a piece with purpose, or speaking truth to power, drama students bring heart, voice, and vision to the forefront of change.

Over the past few months, students from four schools across Otago have come together to co-design and pilot a new online platform created by youth, for youth.

This passionate group of rangatahi have been exploring the space, testing features, and sharing their honest feedback to help shape an experience that’s engaging, empowering, and truly useful for young people across Aotearoa.

The platform — Te Ara Tīrama: Youth Impact Network — is an interactive space where teens can:

• Connect with like-minded rangatahi from across the motu

• Access bite-sized learning on social change, leadership, and local action

• Collaborate on impact projects and get inspired by what others are doing

• Engage with experts, mentors, and campaigns to grow their mahi

Two weeks ago we hosted Te Ara Tīrama here at John McGlashan College, as they piloted their platform with students from McGlashan and other Dunedin schools. Our senior students Andrew Grounds, Hugo Maher, Reid Penwarden, and Tee Kiatwattanakorn, were all involved.

Here is what Andrew, Hugo, Reid, and Tee had to say about being involved in this exciting advocacy project:

1. What inspired you to get involved with Te Ara Tīrama?

Andrew: "To get experience to become a leader in the school."

Hugo: "I want to give back and support other teenagers."

Reid: "What inspired me was the idea of the platform itself. The fact that I was a part of this big thing, which was aimed at helping young people find their advocating voice and helping them push their ideas into a community."

Tee: "I believe that every student can make a change, and all have good ideas within. I want to support fellow teenagers."

2. What does being part of the Youth Impact Network mean to you personally e.g. what new perspectives or skills have you gained through your involvement?

Andrew: "It means that I can learn the skills to become a leader."

Hugo: "Working as part of a team of students has been fun and challenging! Building ideas."

Reid: I have gained a further understanding of teamwork and how a platform can be a catalyst for this through Te Ara Tīrama."

Tee: "I've met some of the most amazing people. Being a part of Te Ara Tīmara improves my skills, especially in being a team player."

3. What would you like to see the Youth Impact Network achieve in the future?

Andrew: "I would like to see Youth Impact Network inspiring more tennagers to become leaders."

Hugo: " Build a bigger network to support teenagers."

Reid: "I would like to see Te Ara Tīrama be a part of schools around New Zealand, as that is where the majority of young people will have major ideas and opinions on the world around them, and I believe Te Ara Tīrama would greatly influence the way they act on their ideas."

Tee: "I want to see the Youth Impact Network collaborate with other organizations, creating a safe space for students to browse for upskilling and opportunities."

4. What advice would you give to other students thinking about joining Te Ara Tīrama?

Andrew: "Join now!"

Hugo: Just join up now!

Reid: "Some advice I would give to people joining Te Ara Tīrama is that this is a community, and there are lots of people who will help you and understand where you are coming from. So if you are feeling lost, just put something on the community page and see what comes from it."

Tee: "Don't be anti-social! Get involved!"

As we head toward our nationwide launch in July, the feedback from these Otago students is helping us improve and fine-tune the platform to ensure it reflects the voices and needs of young people.

Keen to be part of the journey? Reach out to the team if you'd like to get involved or join the programme when it goes live in July!

You can find them online via: https://www.facebook.com/tearatirama

Or see Ms Fridd in the Drama Department for more information!