Mapua School
Region: Nelson/Marlborough/West Coast
Art form: Wood carving (Pou Whenua)
Project name: Toi Whakairo (Pou Whenua)
Creative name: Gordon Toi
Project summary:
Outcomes for students and ākonga: Students expressed pride in their artworks that were displayed to their whānau and wider community. They have a greater understanding that the pou tell our unique story and reflect the relationships between our ancestors, environment, and the standing of the tangata whenua. Students learned new art skills from an experienced master carver and created unique, professional art sculptures that will take pride of place at our school entrance and become part of our heritage. The students developed an interest in future careers in the arts and the importance of valuing te ao Māori and tikanga. They gained knowledge of our local Māori stories and how to record them as symbols to reflect our culture and history.
Outcomes for teachers and kaiako: Teachers from our school had a unique opportunity to work alongside a master carver to learn ngā toi Māori art processes and appropriate tikanga. They have a greater understanding that the pou students created tell our unique story and reflect the relationships between our ancestors, environment, and the tangata whenua. This project also benefited other schools and teachers as we shared these resourcesand artworks through our local Kāhui Ako ki Motueka COL PLG groups and schools have asked about working on a CIS project. Our school culture of collaboration has been strengthened as we prepare for the blessing of our pou. Teachers who lead our kapa haka group have actively sought ways to be involved in welcoming guests and supporting speakers and artists. Our teachers and BOT have been building a new relationship with our land owners, Ngāti Kuia.
Outcomes for creatives: The creative took on a strong leadership role for the project. He had a strong vision for improving the entrance to our school to mark our place of significance and tell our unique story. He was keen to involve our community and parents, and he approached parents for help with landscaping, building, and sourcing materials, etc. He explained that these designs could flow on to future projects as we incorporate our identity and stories into our environment. We would like to involve him in the design of our future buildings
Outcomes for parents and whānau: The project was an opportunity to include our parents and community in our property development to create a sense of place and identity for students. Gordon involved many parents to support the project, which generated a lot of community interest. Parents helped the students in the art-making process, working bees, and providing morning teas, which maximised parent/whānau participation and ownership of the project.
Project status: Completed
Project photo gallery:
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Back to Successful Schools - Round 1