Opportunities Abound

Term 4 is well underway. During this term students will be provided with many opportunities and I can only hope that students will make the most of these.

Already we have had a kapahaka performance group at the Polytech. This group was supported by Room 19 presenting a haka. All of this was done to support Dan deHar as he welcomed a number of visitors from France to the Polytech. Our groups did us proud and it shows the value of time put in. It also reflected the wonderful value of having quality music specialists at Bluestone. Jannette Aldridge accompanied students and her enthusiasm and expertise has brought us so far.

Two of our bands (one also having some of our past students) performed at a local Battle of the Bands with one taking first place and being rewarded with $1000. What a terrific recognition of the students growth in skills and abilities. These groups have been nurtured and supported by our music staff. Daniel Edmonds has been in bands himself and his knowledge and experience have been well passed on. Jannette and Daniel have taken many hours outside of school time to ensure the success of our budding musicians. Several of our bands are now proficient enough to now organise and drive themselves. What a wonderful gift they have been given. How great it is to see the enthusiasm and dedication of these young people. With such drive and attitude they deserve to succeed.

Dale McKay, a music specialist at Bluestone has written and produced a song for Christchurch, following the horrors of the earthquake. Then accompanied by Dale, Daniel and Jannette, a group of our students sang the song and a CD was produced. This has been presented to Bob Parker the mayor of Christchurch. Bob was delighted and presented our school with a lovely book full of amazing photos of Christchurch. Dale sent copies of the CD to schools in the area affected by the earthquake and we have had an amazing response from these schools who have appreciated the originality of the idea and support. You can hear this CD on our website.

Coming up this term is our Wearable Arts Awards. This showcases the amazing creativity that is nurtured at Bluestone. The quality of the garments and costumes equals those made by people many years their senior. Kate Vaughan Blackstock has driven the event and it is now an annual highlight for students and parents to look forward to.

There are many more musical and performance highlights to prepare for this term. I hope students and parents get in behind these opportunities and make the most of them. The rewrds are tremendous.

West School Reunion

In the holidays I had the real pleasure of being at the reunion of West School students who had left the school before 1946. Those in attendance ranged in age from 73 to 86. It was wonderful to listen to the stories of school the way it used to be. Many great tales were told. The thing that impressed me was how proud those in attendance remained of their school, and how positive they were about life. Young people today could learn a thing or two from them!

I was so impressed with the friendship of those present on the day and of the interest shown in what was happening at school today. I have promised that I will help to get the West School 100 year reunion organised. I can only hope that those who attend will be as passionate about their schooling and get together as this group were!