DANCE
Our extra-curricular programme includes opportunities for all students to join a range of performance groups such as Kapa Haka, choir, marimba, and dance groups in a variety of styles.
Dance is born out of culture. It reflects its circumstances and evolves as society does. While culture can be interpreted widely, the universal language of dance empowers learners to recognise the increasing diversity of Aotearoa New Zealand and build connections across cultures.
Dance recognises the learner’s whole self, allowing them to connect with who they are by developing confidence, wellbeing, and their own artistic identity. Teachers ensure learners’ access to dance, foster their expression, and give them the skills to communicate and share their culture or cultures.
Dance encourages the celebration of uniqueness. It enables learners to be comfortable with, and to value, cultures and ideas that are not their own.All ākonga come with their own culture, whakapapa, and indigeneity that can be expressed through movement.
Dance is tightly interwoven with the fabric of society, and nurtures one’s sense of identity. All learners are empowered to explore dance genres or styles they are familiar and connected with (ones that are part of their whakapapa). For example, ākonga in Aotearoa New Zealand are able to access and benefit from mātauranga Māori and te ao Māori.
Dance also provides space for ākonga to engage with unfamiliar dance forms, such as new styles and cultures, new ideas, and new experiences.
The creation and exploration of dance nurtures whakawhanaungatanga
Dance is a vehicle for forming and sustaining relationships.
These are multi-faceted and holistic – with others, with oneself, and with the environment.
Nurturing relationships is a continuous and active process. It is integral to the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of self.
Through shared moments, experiences, and collaboration, learners can gain a sense of belonging, community, and identity.
Diverse identities, abilities, and roles are respected and celebrated, creating a foundation for collaboration and interdependence – valuing and learning from one another.
Roles in the group can take many forms in this context and are not fixed (such as who leads and who follows).