The Model United Nations

Jasmine Turner, Alena-Rose Burt and Travis Brown welcoming the delegates

On Tuesday we played host to the Wairarapa's first Model United Nations, where Year 9 and 10 students researched and represented different countries, campaigning on global issues.  Our students did so well, and held themselves against the others.  Being in a room with such intelligent students was a rush, and a good time was had by all.

But why is this on the Arts Blog you say?  Well, under the umbrella of Cultural Leaders, our group played host and ushered the delegates, looking after the various 'Cultural' groups in the room.  Travis Brown and Alena-Rose Burt welcomed the guests, and Jasmine Turner added our own UN touch by translating the welcome into French.

Jasmine then spent the rest of the day making sure the delegates were watered and looked after.

Thank you so much to the Social Science department, and the Youth UN crew from Wellington for running the day, as well as our wonderful crew for 2012 hosting.

Alena and Jasmine at the end of the day, still smiling.

The Cultural Awards 2011

Last Thursday night was the culmination of another fine year of the Arts at Kuranui College.  We hosted the 21st Annual Arts and Cultural Awards ceremony.  As has become the custom, school uniforms were replaced with the glitz and glam of Hollywood for a night.

Charlotte and Katie did a spectacular job setting up the auditorium and creating the atmosphere.  As hosts, they were amazing as well.  Adam was an excellent assistant in setting the stages and Oliver did a wonderful job on the sound and lighting.

While we gave many awards for outstanding commitment and service within the Arts, and for Academic Excellence, 4 awards are the highlight of the year- the greatest contribution to Art, Music, Dance and Drama.

This year our major award winners were:
Renee Cheesman for Visual Art - particularly with respect to her Photography
Jamie Howatson for Dance - choreographing 2 competition pieces this year with large casts.
Katie James for Drama - for exceptional skill and national representation
Alexandra Fleming for Drama - for service, performing, inspiring and all round participation and
Marlon Moala Knox for Music - Piano Accordian Extraordinaire.

Marlon is quite the find this year.  Not only did he win the Instrumental section of the Intercolligiate Music Awards, and Excellences in Music Level 1, he is also a junior student.  This is the first time a major award has been given to a junior student.

Congratulations to all the award winners, and a huge thanks to the Arts Department at Kuranui College, Roger Thompson (Art), Trish Webster (Music), Kirsten Price (Art), Gina Beecroft (Art), Annabel Heenan (Drama), Catherine de Croy (Dance), as well as the wonderful people who step up to make sure our awards evenings always run smoothly, Mary Phillips (Arts Co-ordinator) and Hilary Reeve (French).

Thanks and congratulations, from me, I am privileged and honoured to work with such a great department.

Cultural Leaders 2011

With the new year fast approaching, we had the privilege of interviewing 6 brilliant candidates for the position of Cultural Leaders 2011.

As announced at the Senior Graduation and Prizegiving, the Cultural Leaders for 2011 are Katie James and Charlotte Taylor.

Katie is a dancer with many years experience in Stage Challenge and Dance NZ Made.  In 2010, she also took part in Drama, performing in "Romeo and Juliet", "MacBeth", "The Wizard of Oz" and the theatresports competition.  Katie was selected to represent the region at the National Shakespeare Festival in Wellington.

Charlotte is also a dancer, picking up excellence awards left, right and centre.  She has been a strong supporter of Stage Challenge and Dance NZ made since its inception.  She is also an artist, more recently focussing on Photography. 

Both girls will no doubt do an amazing job next year, and it is wonderful to have leaders with multiple strings to their bow.

Charlotte and Katie