I had a wonderful term with Kihikihi, Pākihi, Moana, Moutere and Ngutuawa learners in our new Wāhi Toi at Tokatoka (Art Space at Tokatoka). We began by making ourselves familiar with our wāhi toi, which included enjoying activities supporting imagination, creativity and fine motor skills.

Our main topic was Aotearoa before the year 1250. We looked at how our whenua was formed and what it was like before the arrival of humans. We discussed the discovery of dinosaur remains in Aotearoa, and our endemic flora and fauna. This led to interesting conversations around environmental issues resulting from human settlement.

Our Y1-2 learners made a series of artworks around Ika o Aotearoa (NZ Fish) in pencil, printmaking and papier-mâché. While our Y3-6 learners created striking artworks of the fascinating manaia (seahorse) in ink, pencil, and pastel. Our Y5-6 learners crafted hand-drawn cardboard relief maps of Aotearoa, finishing them with paint coloured with earth pigment collected from all over Aotearoa.

I was delighted to see learners demonstrating resilience in their work, resulting in artworks they can be proud of.

Ka pai ō koutou mahi OrmPS artists!

Mā te wā

Ms Frater