Bay Harbour: December 13, 2023

24 <strong>Bay</strong> <strong>Harbour</strong> News Wednesday <strong>December</strong> <strong>13</strong> <strong>2023</strong> Te Aratai College: Te tua o Paerangi Above the entrance to Te Puna, our kura auditorium, we have the Whakataukī relevant to this time of year: Titiro whakamuri, kia anga whakamua: Look to the past in order to move forward. It is an exciting new year for us to look forward to as our kura turns 70 years old. But before we move into all the iterations and innovations the new year will bring us, we would like to appreciate some of the wonderful things our ākonga have accomplished this year. Scholarship recipients Mark Lemon, Destiny Martin, Connor Armstrong, Jason Prakash, Imogen Donnelly and Mae Ibo At our Senior Prizegiving, we celebrated the extraordinary achievement of our senior scholarship winners. These deserving students demonstrated the values of the scholarship requirements across several universities: academic achievement, resilience, leadership, excellence, cultural contributions, social engagement, overcoming adversity, and many other indicators. Our students were thoroughly deserving of financial and personal support, and these scholarships will provide an amazing boost as they kickstart their tertiary journey. With the fees, cash, catered accommodation, summer school programmes and mentoring support, the photo from our Prizegiving Evening represents over $70,000 that universities have invested in Te Aratai College students for their future pathways - an amazing achievement. Kindness Collective, a volunteer group of ākonga who collected litter around the school grounds, oversaw positive affirmations written by students for their peers and acknowledged school staff for their hard mihi. The group was also featured in national news media for their initiative at the Aldwins House retirement home, regularly visiting residents to kōrero or play pool, embracing the goodwill in their community. This year we also saw five learners participate in “Word: The Front Line Ōtautahi,” a spoken word poetry slam. This was the first time the competition was held in the South Island, held at The Piano Event Center in August. The night was full of amazing orator-performers from 5 different schools who explored a variety of topics like identity, diversity, rugby and Shakespeare. The Te Aratai team performers practised hard, attending weekend workshops to make sure their poems were interesting, catchy, and most importantly “felt.” It was an extraordinary night to be part of with incredibly moving and provocative poetry performed by so many young, talented poets from across Ōtautahi-Christchurch. Blake Williams, Connor Armstrong and Thomas Rhoades in the YES Dragon’s Den In our business school, we saw the success of an inspiring business venture, spearheaded by a group of Te Aratai College students. “Decalify” was an entrepreneurial endeavour that made an impressive impact with its cultural window decal designs and fully youth-run business model. Throughout the year the business team were placed 1st in the Canterbury Young Enterprise Dragon’s Den event, successfully awarded the contract to place all the window decals on Kindness Foundation’s (Previously YMCA) new $44 million building on Rolleston Avenue, and awarded 1st Place Finance, 1st Place Enterprise Technology, and 2nd Place Rangatahi New Zealand Young Enterprise in the In Canterbury Young Enterprise Competition. On the sports field, Te Aratai and the Under 14 Boys’ Rugby team had a historic season in <strong>2023</strong>. This group of young men ended up being graded in the top division of Under 14 Boys’ Rugby, Division One, Section One. From there, the group did two special things; beating Christ’s College to win the Challenge Cup which is essentially the Ranfurly Shield of the Under 14 division, and then defending this until the end of the season and earning the right to have Te Aratai College engraved on it for the first time. They also then finished top of the table after the round robin and beat Christchurch Boys’ High and Christ’s College on the way to winning the final of Division One, Section One. Te Aratai College is the first co-educational school to achieve this. To us all, whatever 2024 brings for each one of us, and it will be different for me too, ngā mihi nui and best wishes for the festive season and summer ahead. I leave this school so enriched by everything that I have been able to learn from you all over the years on my own pathway to the sea at Linwood HS - Linwood College - Te Aratai College. Richard Edmundson Leaving Tumuaki-Principal Tyrek Kohu Smriti Parajuli at Aldwins House At our Senior Prizegiving, we were also able to celebrate the inspiring effort of Smriti Parajuli with the Te Aratai College Community Service Award. Smriti was part of the AKC: the Te Aratai Acts of Ad: 85 Aldwins Road, Phillipstown | Ph: 03 9820100 | Em: office@tearatai.school.nz | Wb: tearatai.school.nz

Wednesday <strong>December</strong> <strong>13</strong> <strong>2023</strong> <strong>Bay</strong> <strong>Harbour</strong> News Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz SPONSORED CONTENT 25 Looking back . . . and to the future AS THE year draws to a close, many of us reflect on the year that has been and start planning for the year to come; the Sumner Ferrymead Foundation is no different. <strong>2023</strong> has been a challenging yet rewarding year for them. One highlight was the scholarships and awards programme; the calibre of the applicants was outstanding so it made the decision making process more challenging for the trustees. “Because of our generous sponsors, we will be running this programme again in 2024,” said Sumner Ferrymead Foundation chair Martin Hawes. “Most of our sponsors are local people and businesses, and many continue their support over successive years. “Applications will open at the beginning of January and the forms will be on our website. Traditionally the academic scholarships have been for second year students but this year we have widened the applications to all students except first year REFLECT: The Sumner Ferrymead Foundation’s three new trustees Andrew Clark (left), Noah Lewis and Sarah Angelo. students. Plus, the scope of our apprentice award has been widened to include anyone undertaking an accredited apprenticeship.” Another highlight for the Sumner Ferrymead Foundation was three new trustees. Both Noah Lewis and Sarah Angelo are former recipients of the academic scholarships, and Andrew Clark’s daughter was a recipient of an academic scholarship too. “The foundation describes itself as locals helping locals,” said Noah Lewis. “And it goes full circle. We have all benefited from the support it provides and now it is our turn to give back.” The Sumner Ferrymead Foundation is always looking for trustees so if you are interested, contact them either directly or through their website. Like many charities, the biggest challenge the foundation faces is fundraising, and in a time where the cost of living is the topic of conversation it has become even harder. “There are so many ways in which people can help,” said treasurer Max Mathias. “It might be a one off donation, or a monthly commitment. Or, you might want to sponsor an award or event. And of course, there is the option to leave a bequest in your will. Please do make contact if you think you could help us make our community an even better place to live.” 2024 brings exciting new opportunities. This year the Sumner Ferrymead Foundation celebrated 30 years, so the trustees have agreed to donate up to $30,000 to community groups and organisations within the Sumner Ferrymead Foundation catchment area. “30 years is quite a milestone, and until recently one of the original trustees, Julie Cunningham, was very much involved. That gives you an idea of the level of commitment our trustees place on the foundation’s role in supporting the community,” said Hawes. “The grants for community groups will complement the scholarships and awards programme which has more of an individual focus.” Applications will be sent out in the first quarter of 2024. If for any reason your organisation does not receive one, please contact the Sumner Ferrymead Foundation. For more information visit the website: sumnerferrymeadfoundation.co.nz or email: info@sumnerferrymeadfoundation.co.nz Applications open January 1 2024 • Academic Scholarships • Outward Bound Scholarships • Apprentice Award • Environment Award West Coasters Are you living off the Coast and would like to keep up with the local news and events? We have new digital editions available for subscription. Buy the gift of fun and health! Why not inspire a loved one or friend for Christmas! Give them a healthy challenge and a fun day out, with an entry to the 2024 City2Surf. Scan here digital.greystar.co.nz Supporting charity 6km and 12km options 17 th March 2024 Buy your gift here www.city2surf.co.nz