Latest news with #WaitakiGirls'HighSchool
Otago Daily Times
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Choirs battle to the tune of ABBA
Waitaki Girls' High School students from Wilson House, led by conductor Neave Meikle, perform ABBA song Honey Honey. PHOTO: SUPPLIED ABBA's music rang out at Waitaki Girls' High School last week as the school's four house choirs took the stage in their annual competition. A long tradition at the school, the competition is a culmination of a busy cultural-focused second term where the talent quest, music competition and house choirs all vie for points to win the overall music trophy. ABBA songs Honey Honey, Voulez-Vous and Mamma Mia rang out in the packed auditorium as the house choirs battled it out. Wilson house cleaned up with the winning choir, best conductor and best accompanists. The Music Competition Trophy, for which points accumulated from all three events, went to Burn House. The school's international and migrant director Sherilyn Hellier said it was a "really entertaining" evening. "The staff dressed in bright pink and sang Mamma Mia and got the evening off to a great start with a dynamic performance of singing and dancing. They were really entertaining. "Wilson House won because of their song harmonies and part-singing along with skilled conducting and an excellent four-piece band," she said. Mrs Hellier said many hours of practice and hard work came to fruition in front of a "full" school hall of parents, family supporters and past students. Judges Stephen Hinds and Jacob Yates said the points were close and the standard high. Results: Wilson 1, Ferguson 2, Gibson 3, Burn 4.
Otago Daily Times
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Three-school band wins top spot
The mixed South Canterbury high school band The Falveys, comprised of (back, from left) James Dyche, Luke Winter, George Elder (front, from left) Via Bunting and Darres Nabetari, have won the Smokefreerockquest Timaru regional final. PHOTO: SUPPLIED A band comprising students from three Timaru high schools took first place at the Timaru regional Smokefreerockquest last week. The programme, now in its 37th year, holds nationwide events in 21 regions from Whangarei to Invercargill. Representing Timaru Boys' High School, Timaru Girls' High School and Mountainview High School, The Falveys secured themselves $500 of musical equipment from the Rockshop win winning the top prize. The group was made up of students Darres Nabetari (guitar), James Dyche (guitar), Via Bunting (vocals), Luke Winter (bass), Sebastian Henderson (guitar), and George Elder (drums). In a statement, vocalist Via Bunting said it felt amazing to have won. "We worked so hard and had so many rough patches, but we did it. "The first song we wrote took us so long, but once we finally got the flow of it the second song just came straight out." Second place in the band category went to Inside Joke from Roncalli College. The top spot of the solo-duo category went to Neave Lauren from Waitaki Girls' High School, and second place to Harriet from Mount Hutt College. All four Smokefreerockquest place winners now have the opportunity to submit a video of their original material for selection as one of the top 15 national finalists to playoff at the finals in September. Full awards list for Timaru 1st place band: The Falveys from Timaru Boys' High School, Timaru Girls' High School and Mountainview High School. The Falveys from Timaru Boys' High School, Timaru Girls' High School and Mountainview High School. 2nd place band: Inside Joke from Roncalli College. Inside Joke from Roncalli College. 3rd place band: Bassist to the Bassist from Timaru Girls' High School. Bassist to the Bassist from Timaru Girls' High School. 1st place solo-duo: Neave Lauren from Waitaki Girls' High School. Neave Lauren from Waitaki Girls' High School. 2nd place solo-duo: Harriet from Mount Hutt College. Harriet from Mount Hutt College. Rockshop electronic assist performance award: Riley Craig from Geraldine High School. Riley Craig from Geraldine High School. Musicianship award: Mikayla Willetts (drummer, Bassist to the Bassist) from Timaru Girls' High School. Mikayla Willetts (drummer, Bassist to the Bassist) from Timaru Girls' High School. Musicianship award: Ethan Martin (bassist, The Late Timers) from Timaru Boys' High School. Ethan Martin (bassist, The Late Timers) from Timaru Boys' High School. Smokefree best vocals award: Winne and Liv from Waitaki Girls' High School. Winne and Liv from Waitaki Girls' High School. ZM best song award: Jarrel from St Kevin's College. Jarrel from St Kevin's College. Apra lyric award: Neave Meikle from Waitaki Girls' High School. — APL
Otago Daily Times
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Exhibition made possible by bequest
Forrester Gallery visual arts curator Anna McLean with artist Telly Tuita's work that is part of the ''Redefining Space'' collection purchased with funds from the Margery Uttley bequest. PHOTO: JULES CHIN Forrester Gallery has an exhibit of new and contemporary works that reflect the "wider diversity" of the Waitaki District, thanks to a bequest. Former deputy principal of Waitaki Girls' High School and Forrester Gallery volunteer Margery Uttley, who died last year made a bequest that has financed a collection of "modern works" in a new exhibition titled "Redefining Space". Visual arts curator Anna McLean said Ms Uttley had allowed for nine new contemporary works from eight artists — Bev Moon, Ana Teofilo, Victoria McIntosh, Jess Nicholson, Turumeke Harrington, Telly Tuita, Jasmine Tuia and Ayesha Green — that benefit the Waitaki community. A celebration was held last month to celebrate Ms Uttley's bequest alongside her friends and family, past volunteers and former gallery director Warwick Smith. "It was nice to go through the works and celebrate Margery, and what really came out, is she was just so supportive of the gallery in every aspect, " Ms McLean said. Ms McLean worked alongside gallery director Chloe Searle to use the bequest as an opportunity to purchase contemporary art that "tells stories of today" rather than "historical art". Ms Uttley's bequest was an opportunity for us to be free-range in our thinking and that was "immense" for us, she said. Ms McLean said the works represented "rich and diverse cultural histories" and the wider diversity of the region. "There are so many ethnicities here, there is the agricultural aspects, there is the freezing works, there is other industry. "I think in 50 years, we'll look at these and say they reflect the true diversity of the region." They chose a selection of emerging artists rather than purchase one artwork. "As [Ms] Uttley was a teacher, I think she could see that kind of value in supporting early to mid-career artists," Ms McLean said. Redefining Spaces is on at Forrester Gallery until May 25.
