Ancient Worlds: Epic Heroes

Step into the world of ancient legends and epic adventures! We are journeying across cultures to meet some of mythology’s greatest heroes—like the clever Odysseus, the trickster demigod Māui, and the brave Gilgamesh. Through tales of monsters, quests, and gods, we’ll explore what makes a hero—and why their stories still captivate us today. Get ready for battles, brains, bravery… and a whole lot of mythic magic! (Miss Rose & Matua Dillon)

Appreciating Music

Are you a music lover? Listen to a wide range of music and are passionate about your tastes? Appreciating Music is about exploring the history of music, the differing genres and the way music impacts people. In this Whakareinga you will learn about the cause of music over time, what influences music and what drives YOUR favourite artists and bands. (Matua Tadhg)

Architectural Design

Have you got a flair for architectural design? Would you like to design and construct a model of your dream house? In this enrichment you will learn about architectural design, computer aided design, and how to construct your models using the laser cutter and (potentially) 3D printers to make high quality products. Be prepared to be focused and work hard. We are aiming high for this one!!! (Mr Bailey)

Card Making

Love a crafty project? Are you an avid gifter? This Whakareinga is perfect for you! Learn how to make a handmade card for every occasion!

No more run of the mill supermarket $6 cards. Now your friends and whānau can have pop out cards, 3D cards and cards that open in ways you wouldn’t expect… All handmade by you! Never scramble for a birthday/Christmas/Easter/Valentines card again!

The perfect Whakareinga for someone with a creative mind and a passion for crafting. (Whaea Dani)

Cooking 101

Are you nervous about using the oven? Can you measure with accuracy? Do you cook at home?

If you can answer these questions, cooking 101 is for you. It is a step by step learning experience where you will develop your skills and gain confidence. (Mrs Dowman)

Creation of Tākaro

Create your own exciting sports game in this hands-on Whakareinga! Take the spirit of a picture book and transform it into a dynamic, fun, and engaging sport. Whether it’s a fast-paced team sport or a unique outdoor challenge, you’ll learn how to create a fun and exciting sport and how to teach and upskill others in your game. (Mr Price)

Dance

Love to dance? Want to be part of something exciting and creative? Then this is the whakareinga for you. This is your chance to work with others to choreograph a dance and perform in our Performing Arts Showcase in Term 4. This year’s theme for the dance performance is A Night at the Movies. From iconic soundtracks to cinematic moments, you’ll be bringing the big screen to life on stage! If you are already in the Artsplash dance group, this is the whakareinga for you – Showcase will be your final performance opportunity to celebrate all your hard mahi! (Miss Westlake)

Exploring the Middle East

 ٱلسَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ As-salamu alaykum

Do you want to learn more about the Middle East from its language, art and cuisine? Then this is the whakareinga for you! By the end of this you’ll be able to speak Arabic and will have learnt how to cook a bunch of different dishes! 5 sessions will be language based and the other 5 will be cooking based. There will be a $15 fee to help cover the costs of ingredients. Let’s go on a journey together and expand our knowledge about the region!  (Miss R)

Film Studies

Step into the captivating world of cinema with our Film Studies Whakareinga! Designed to ignite young minds, this program explores the artistry, storytelling, and cultural impact of film. Through interactive discussions, literacy based response tasks, and screenings of diverse films from around the globe, you will deepen your understanding of cinematic techniques, genres, and narratives. Whether you aspire to be a future filmmaker or simply love the magic of the silver screen, this group offers a fun and enriching journey through the world of cinema. Join us and unlock the secrets behind your favorite movies! (Miss McKenzie & Mrs Robinson)

Glee Club!

Calling all aspiring stars-in-the-making! Are you ready to hit the stage and unleash your inner songbird? This is your chance to join Glee Club. In Glee Club we will sing pop, Broadway, Disney songs, 80’s jams, and anything else you can think of. We will be belting out ballads, learning to harmonise and creating choreography to create a diverse repertoire  of music. But it’s not just about hitting the high notes—it’s about finding your voice and gaining the confidence to share at the Performing Arts Showcase! So, grab your mic, tune up those vocal cords, and get ready to shine like the true star you are. The spotlight awaits—let’s make some unforgettable music memories together! (Miss Dobbie)

Hair Design

Unleash your creativity in the Hair Design! In this hands-on course, you’ll learn the basics of styling techniques, braiding, updos, and even explore hair design trends from around the world. Whether you dream of becoming a hairstylist or just want to sharpen your personal styling skills, this Whakareinga is perfect for students who enjoy creativity, and working with their hands. (Miss Renouf)

Improv Drama & Comedy

What do Bowen Yang, Jimmy Fallon, Amy Poehler, Kate McKinnon and Rāroa’s very own Instalaughs have in common? They all got their start doing improv! Come and learn the art of improvised comedy by playing theatresports games. Learn to think on your feet, create characters and build scenes without the safety net of a script. Instead of the Performing Arts Showcase, we will be working towards filming video clips of our sketches that we can publish on Hero. (Mrs L-P)

Konnichiwa! Let’s Learn Japanese

Konnichiwa minasan! Hello everyone! We will learn about the Japanese alphabet, basic information of the language to help guide us in our practice conversations, and explore aspects of Japan’s culture. ありがとう！Arigatou! Thank you!  クリスティー せんせい Christy-sensei (Whaea Christy)

Mini Worlds in a Box – A Creative Diorama Challenge

Step into the world of imagination as you turn an ordinary shoebox into a masterpiece! In this crafty Whakareinga, you’ll design and build your own world inside one box. Will you explore the animal kingdom? Build a fantasy land, historical era, or wild habitat?  Recreate a scene from a book or movie? The choice is yours! (Victoria & Mrs Collins)

Netball Umpiring

Are you a keen netballer? Do you watch or play games and wish you knew more about what sanctions are and where penalties should be taken? Do you know the difference between a Free Pass and a Penalty Pass? Most importantly, are you ready to challenge yourself and step out of your comfort zone? Confidence is key if you want to give umpiring a go! If you’ve answered yes loudly to these questions, join Kelly for learning, laughter, challenge and fun and start to pursue a passion that may continue for years to come! Join our Netball Umpires Whānau; nau mai, haere mai!  (Kelly Herbert)

Origami

Origami is the Japanese art of paper folding, creating intricate shapes and figures from a single square sheet of paper. If you are creative, patient and enjoy working on fiddly projects that need precision, this is for you. Make an installation for your bedroom, or decorate your class. Come and find your calm place. (Ms Forrest & Mrs Dobie)

Spanish 101

¡Hola! In this fun and interactive Spanish Whakareinga, we’ll be exploring all things Spanish, Language, Countries and Culture. You’ll learn basic words and phrases to introduce yourself, talk about your interests, and have simple conversations—all while exploring Spanish-speaking cultures through games, music, and activities! (Mr Anderson)

Street Art Sculptures

Do you like looking for and finding cool art installations when you are out and about?

In this Whakareinga we are going to be using mosaic’s, 3d modelling and other construction skills to create small art installations that will be placed subtly around Rāroa. They may go unnoticed by others, but you will know exactly where to look. We will be inspired by artists like Invader, Banksy, Hiroshi Fuji, and Haroshi. (Mr Boekhorst)

The Crowd Goes Wild

Imagine that you are interviewing some of the biggest female and male athletes in New Zealand to get an insight to how they got to where they are. If you are fascinated with what Sports Journalism is and how you could dip your toes into the world of sports and entertainment, this is the Whakareinga for you! (Mr Fouhy)

Waiata Mai

Waiata Mai is like the Te Reo/ Pacific version of GLEE choral singing! We will be learning contemporary songs in not only English but in Te Reo and other Pacific languages. Singing in unison, in harmonies, some students as soloists and of course, you’ll work on your stage presence. We have a few major performances already booked in Terms 3 & 4 eg. the Inter-Intermediate Waiata Mai Choral Festival, our school Showcases, other schools and assemblies. 

NOTE: This Whakareinga will run for both Terms 2 & 3 (Miss Fa’alogo & Mr J)

Year Book Art using Procreate

Do you love drawing? Would you like to be a published artist? Are you an expert on using Procreate? I am looking for some keen ākonga who would like to help design and create the art on Procreate that will be used on the cover and inside our 2025 yearbook. (Whaea Bridget)