OUR CULTURE
Mahurangi College has an appreciation for the Arts in all forms and students are given countless opportunities to express themselves through our drama, dance, music and visual arts programmes.
We have bands and choirs open to students at different levels of experience that perform both at school and in the wider community.
We are also involved in the annual Stage Art, Dance and Rockquest competitions. The students have the opportunity to be involved in a senior production every alternate year. These productions combine singing, acting and dancing in the form of entertaining musicals that all of the community can enjoy.
Cultural performance groups, both Kapa Haka and Pasifika, offer students the opportunity to experience the richness of the many diverse communities we are part of.
KAPA HAKA
Te Whānau o Mahurangi Kapa Haka group is a group of students who embrace things Maori and learn how to perform as a group. Our group learn Haka, Poi, Rakau Mahi, Hymns, Songs / Waiata, Taiaha and Patu mahi. We learn to karanga and the powhiri process for when the occasion arises.
Our group is whānau based with everyone supporting each other. We visit the retirement villages as well as kindy’s. During ANZAC Day and Vets Day we perform at the Warkworth RSA. We attend three festival and perform at two; The Te Taitokerau and Kaipara.
We learn to be whānau and community based and are encouraged to be proud of who they are. There are no restrictions to ethnicity. Students from Iceland, Spain, Germany and France have regularly been part of the group.
You need to be willing to be in front of an audience, sing loud and proud and be willing to share.
Our Pasifika group is all about celebrating Pasifika culture, values, dance, performance and fostering leadership. We meet weekly for lunch, companionship and to support each other. Our Pasifika cultural group learn traditional songs, dances and percussion routines that they perform at various celebrations throughout the year. To be involved in our group you have to be keen to perform in front of an audience.
PASIFIKA
PERformING ARTS
Our Performing Arts Academy aims to inspire and equip our students in the performing arts, enabling them to strive for excellence and reach their full potential. Students attend professional performances and workshops throughout the year. They also work towards showcases for the school and community. These showcases encourage our students to work collaboratively and to push themselves outside their comfort zone so that they can develop their skills as dancers, musicians, actors and singers. Students must be in Year 11-13 and have to audition for a place in the academy.
We have two auditioned dance groups here at Mahurangi College; Momentum Dance Company and Impulse Dance Group. Both of these groups have regular weekly rehearsals to push for higher technique and performance skills. They have multiple performance and competition opportunities throughout the year including the Dance Showcase and Cultural Blues Evening. Auditions are held at the start of each year. All year levels are welcome to audition.
MOMENTUM
IMPULSE
DANCE
DRAMA CLUB
Drama Club is a place where our students can enjoy learning more about drama through games, improvisation, and work on short scripts. We meet at least once a week (usually Tuesday lunchtimes) under the guidance of experienced drama teachers. In Term 1 students will be working on items for the SCGNZ University of Otago Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festival. This focus will shift later in the year as students begin work on the school production.
INSTRUMENTAL LESSONS
Instrumental lessons in piano, guitar, bass guitar, drums, cello and voice are taught onsite by private teachers. Through the itinerant music scheme we offer lessons on violin, brass, clarinet and saxophone, without charge ($25 admin fee). Students need their own instrument for practising and where possible for lessons. Piano and drum students use the school instruments for lessons. We are proud to have our own grand piano.
ARTS @ MAHU SUMMARY
KAPAHAKA
Te Whānau o Mahurangi Kapa Haka group is a group of students who embrace things Maori and learn how to perform as a group. Students learn to be whānau and community based and encourage students to be proud to be who they are. There is no restrictions to ethnicity.
Tutor: Matua Michael Winiana
DANCE
We have two auditioned dance groups here at Mahurangi College - Momentum Dance Company and Impulse Dance Group. Both of these groups have regular weekly rehearsals to push for higher technique and performance skills. They have multiple performance and competition opportunities throughout the year including the Dance Showcase and Cultural Blues Evening. Auditions are held at the start of each year. All year levels are welcome to audition.
Teacher in Charge: Emily Woodfield
BAND
We have three bands at Mahu. The Junior Band is for beginner students and also caters for local primary aged students who have been learning a band instrument. Our Stage Band designed for students who are more advanced in their instrumental tuition and have been learning for 3-4 years. Our Jazz Combo is for the most advanced students in the college. Students are auditioned and the membership of the band is the smallest and most structured of all the bands.
Teacher in Charge: Lyn Dashper
SCHOOL SHOW EXPERIENCE
Mahurangi College takes pride in the quality of their senior shows. Every second year a professional and highly entertaining show is produced. Some shows from the past include Bugsy Malone, Loverly, Ever After and Joseph’s Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, Beauty and the Beast, My Fair Lady and incredible The Sound of Music (2019).
Teacher in Charge: Tracey Hansen
