School Productions
The Dawn of Te Matatini - 2024
With four scheduled performances, this year’s school concert The Dawn of Te Matatini, did not disappoint with close to 500 ākonga attending each matinee show, enthralled with the characters singing and dancing about on stage. With such positive feedback like that of one of our schools: “ … the show was magic! All our kids from year 0 to year 8 loved it, especially the modern twists. So much energy and talent. They engaged with the audience so well and above all they all looked like they were having fun. You all should be very proud.” And proud we were. Ruataupare Stewart who played the characters of the koekoea, tuna and skink said, “Close to the ending of the performance, we introduced the cast for the audience to let them know who we were and bowed, clapped and sung a song for everyone to join in. Everyone who performed on that stage saw the smiles, heard the laughter and claps from the audience and we knew we had done a good job. We left the stage feeling good about ourselves – that was the best feeling.” Many thanks go to all the cast and crew, and especially to those who attended and supported our rangatahi.
Aroha Mai Aroha Atu - 2023
“All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players”
“He aha te mea nui o te Ao? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata”
Nau mai, haere mai! This is Shakespeare as you’ve never seen it before. We set our scene here in Te Tairawhiti – in an Aotearoa where all cultures are celebrated, Te Reo Maori sparkles in everyday use, and Te Ao Maori shows us a clear pathway in life through ideas and values. ‘Aroha Mai Aroha Atu’ is filled with poetry, song, music and dance. We see our heroes escape the pressure, politics and threats of modern life in the city, and follow them as they find peace, justice, aroha, reunions with whanau in the Forest of Makauri – and step into Te Ao Marama with the beautiful renewal that Matariki brings. With a cast of 30 students and a crew of 15 more from all areas of the school, this never before performed version of a world famous, widely loved classic will be on stage at the War Memorial Theatre July 26th-27th 2023.
Moana Jr. - 2022
2022 saw a group of students and teachers come together to perform Disney’s Moana Jr. musical at the Lawson Field Theatre, Gisborne. This was a culmination of hours of auditions, rehearsals, costume fittings, and meetings. The students were from all age groups within the school and they all put their best foot forward to showcase their musical talents and performance skills. Stars were born both on and off the stage and all sessions were performed to full houses, where the audience were encouraged to participate and enjoy the performances.
