9 minute read
HONOUR MITCHELL: SIX60 CONCERT
Most of us have been lucky enough to go to a concert in our lifetime - one, two or perhaps more. Exciting, adrenaline-pumping and hectic are just a few words I’d use to describe the experience.
Seeing an artist you admire performing live is a one-of-a-kind moment. Sure, listening to music on your phone is great, but when you get the opportunity to hear a band live the tunes move to a whole new level. The energy alone in the mosh pit (or wherever you may be) gets your heart pounding and your body moving. Being surrounded by so many people getting their groove on and just dancing the night away is pretty euphoric. And quite the mood booster!
You can’t really leave empty-handed either; you’ll take home some of the best memories of a lifetime, nicely packaged up as videos on your phone. Phew! Thanks to the digital age we can look back and enjoy those little parcels of happiness whenever the feeling grabs us.
The first concert I went to was Benee at Spark Arena late last year - clearly I’m still a bit of a rookie. So, honestly, when I first heard about the SIX60 concert I was a bit on edge - over 50,000 people attending? My anxiety rose but the opportunity was far too good to pass up!
This was going to be the largest live, in-person concert world-wide since the Covid-19 pandemic began and I wanted to be part of this historical moment, of which I suspected music fans globally would be jealous.
SIX60 started off as a few Otago Uni students jamming around before they formed a band in 2008 - not knowing - I bet - they would later become one of the most popular bands in New Zealand.
Twelve of their singles have gone platinum or better and they are the first band to win a total of 17 NZ music awards across their career. If you turn on the radio, I guarantee at least one of their songs will be familiar to your ears.
My friends and I arrived at Eden Park around 7pm. We slipped into the mosh pit and found ourselves a pretty satisfactory spot. First up was the renowned Dave Dobbyn and we were just in time for the Kiwi classic, ‘Slice of Heaven’, which was well appreciated by the crowd. Next was ‘Drax Project’ who, although not as well known as SIX60, put on a great performance including a cool guy playing the saxophone, which I found captivating.
But we can’t forget the star of the show, the one and only SIX60! The opening lines delivered to the impatient crowd were, “We did it in New Zealand. We are the first band to play Eden Park”. (So not only was this concert a Covid-19 first, but it also marked the dawn of a sensational new venue for large musical events in Aotearoa.) Then suddenly they were playing magical song after magical song. Blown away by the performance, the crowd was left begging for more. And I was not surprised. Just hearing their music live was so much more amazing than on the radio (and their songs are pretty good on the radio.)
Something I really loved about the concert was the way they made fantastic connections to New Zealand’s heritage.
In their song ‘Don’t Forget Your Roots’ they brought on a full Kapa Haka group who did a spectacular performance to the Maori verse of the song... a very nice cultural touch.
And, in ‘We Won’t Fade Away’ they had soldiers come on and play trumpets and drums as an Anzac day tribute. As it was 24 April (the eve of Anzac Day) this was also a major hit with the crowd since it was a chance to reinforce how memories of our brave soldiers haven’t faded away over time!
Overall the concert was a blast and actually was the most fun I have had in a very long time. I guess all the effort we Kiwis put into lockdowns and keeping the virus out of our country gave us a chance to live it up big time! There was something so thrilling about being able to partake in such an awesome event.
Congrats to SIX60 for making history in a very enjoyable way! (HONOUR MITCHELL) PN
STEPPING UP TOGETHER: CELEBRATING THE KING’S YEAR 9 BOARDING CONCEPT
Now in its sixth year, King’s College’s Year 9-specific boarding house is well-established as truly beneficial for young men embarking on their boarding journey at the school.
Te Putake Lodge was established in 2016, home to a Year 9 Boarders’ Transition Programme all about enabling them to build a strong foundation and prepare for the years ahead. The concept recognised that, fundamentally, 13-year-olds are different from 18-year-olds, and that a boarding programme tailor-made for young adolescents provides them with increased opportunities to develop their confidence and realise their full potential.
“When Year 9s start a new school and boarding for the first time, it’s a significant move,” says Deputy Head Pastoral Care and founding Te Putake Lodge Housemaster Daniel Mitchell. “So, the thought process was, let’s get them all in the same place where we can care for these guys and bring them all into the school together.”
Te Putake Lodge mentors and staff are able to focus on providing pastoral care tailored to Year 9s. “You’ve got Year 9s all at the same stage. While individuals will have different maturity levels or stages of growth, they’re all in the same process together arriving at King’s, getting to know the school, and getting to understand their Houses,” Mr Mitchell says.
The advent of Te Putake Lodge boosted Year 9 boarding numbers, and consequently, the number of students staying in each weekend. Though they all live in the Lodge, each Year 9 boarder is assigned to the boarding House they’ll live in from Year 10 onwards. By the end of the year, they’re well-equipped to move in to their permanent boarding House, with the added benefit of having made friends in other Houses.
“You’ve got that bond with the guys you were in the Lodge with, and you’ve got another bond with the guys that stay in on the weekend,” founding boarder Aidan Jeeves says. “As we’ve gone on, I’ve still got friends in other Houses, which I don’t think would have happened if we didn’t live in the Lodge.”
For staff, there are clear signs when a student has settled in to life at King’s. “They’re a lot more independent, a lot more mature, they understand boarding and they’re ready to move into their Houses,” Mr Mitchell says.
With steady and high demand for places at King’s, early applications are encouraged. The school roll is closed for 2022 with the exception of a handful of places in Year 9. The roll is open for enrolments for 2023.
New to Auckland Girls’ Grammar School in 2021, deputy principal Helen Long is determined to make her mark.
Long, who’s moved to AGGS from Western Springs College, where she was dean of house and head of media studies, says her one and only goal in her new job is to do right by the school’s students. And for good reason.
“I’m really passionate about education. I was raised in a house where education was the MOST important thing,” she explains.
“I think education can be the leveler, with the right support and the right guidance – no matter where you’re from.
“No matter what situation you’ve come from, with a good education, you’ve got doors open to you.”
Long believes Auckland Girls’ Grammar School is the education gem in central Auckland, and she thinks few local Ponsonby, Grey Lynn and City parents realise what’s on offer right at their doorstep.
“Absolutely it’s a hidden gem,” she says. “It’s a little bit of an anomaly, this really old traditional school, with these beautiful buildings, in this area of Auckland that still attracts girls from all over the city.
“I think that’s one of the things that makes our school really special that so many families choose to send their girls here. They’re choosing to send their girls here and that comes with a huge responsibility on our part to make sure that school is the best for them. That we do the best for them that we possibly can.” Diversity is the school’s other massive draw card, according to Long. As she points out, Aotearoa’s a cultural melting pot and that’s represented, accepted – and celebrated – at AGGS.
“There are students from all over Auckland and from all corners of the world, and I just think we’ve got so much to learn from one another.”
Long’s also impressed with the support offered to AGGS students, right across the board.
“Academically they’ve got their deans,” she explains, “but we’ve also got a really good tutor teacher system and we have a complete wraparound Health Centre – so; nurses, a doctor, a psychologist who come in a couple of times a week, plus we have two full time counselors and a social worker. So all aspects of wellbeing are looked after.”
Add to that the programmes on offer – from dance, to drama, to science, to scholarship opportunities and Long has discovered her new school is much more than most expect. And with the AGGS’ Open Day on the way, her message to local parents is loud and proud.
“Come and check us out! There is so much going on and like we say it really is a hidden gem. There are opportunities in all areas. So I would just encourage people who live in the area to come and check it out.” PN
AUCKLAND GIRLS’ GRAMMAR SCHOOL
PER ANGUSTA AD AUGUSTA
OPEN DAY
Wednesday 23rd June 2021 9.30am – 12.30pm
We invite you to visit our school on Wednesday 23rd June. Our senior students will lead school tours throughout the morning and our Principal will give short talks at 10am, 11am and 12pm.
Information Evening – Wednesday 23rd June 2021 6.30pm – 8.00pm.
All prospective students for 2022 and their whānau are very welcome to attend this evening.
We also welcome whānau of students interested in enrolling in Ngā Tūmanako o Kahurangi, our Māori Whānau Unit.
Auckland Girls’ Grammar School welcomes enrolments from throughout the Auckland region and we hope that you will take this opportunity to find out more about us.
Parking at Gate 2, Howe Street, Newton
