EDUCATION: RANGITOTO COLLEGE
Rangitoto College’s Te Kiko O Rangitoto returns to Polyfest Rangitoto College recently performed at the ASB Polyfest after an 11-year hiatus from the event. Polyfest is an iconic event that showcases and encapsulates the culture and heart of Aotearoa every year, with 2021 celebrating its 45th anniversary. Performer Dani Maylam reflects on her experience below. “Covid, combined with the Christchurch tragedy, has delayed the festival by two years, and with the immense anticipation growing, Polyfest 2021 has fallen on an eager audience. Rangitoto College’s kapa haka group, Te Kiko O Rangitoto, were particularly excited to take the
Each group has developed an innovative product that will independently unfold and fold in space.
stage. The opening lines of the waiata tira read, 'Hoki mai o te mauri ki ahau', meaning our life forces are returning to us after laying dormant and in await. As if the soul of the volcano Rangitoto that protects the horizon of Tamaki MakauRau has erupted, the performance by the college was fiery and immense. Under the new guidance of Matua Heke and Whaea Sarah, Rangitoto’s kapa haka group has re-emerged with a culturally minded determination, not limited to the Polyfest stage, but with the intent of reintroducing Māori culture into the North Shore.”
STEAM projects use the United Nations 2030 sustainable development goals to build 21st Century skills.
Year 9 STEAM students were recently visited by experts from the University of Auckland’s Programme for Space Systems and Astrix Astronautics.
Innovative STEAM programme launches at Rangitoto College Year 9 STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Action and Maths) students have begun our new programme. In this subject students look to build the 21st century skills they will need for their futures, while using the United Nations 2030 sustainable development goals to underpin their learning. They have been working with intelligent materials in small teams to develop an innovative product that will independently unfold and fold in space. Some of these projects include rovers, satellites, biodomes and drilling rigs. Last month each group had the opportunity to present and receive feedback from the University of Auckland’s Programme for Space Systems and Astrix Astronautics. Students also individually create a self-directed digital portfolio, documenting their journey and celebrating their failures as learning moments to help them build their knowledge bank and competencies through the innovation process.
www.channelmag.co.nz Issue 120 - June 2021
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