December 2013
Aaron O’Neill
On 5 September, the students of St Patrick’s School, Napier, presented a special production. Held at the Napier Municipal Theatre, From Forest to Sea, A Hawke’s Bay History was planned, written and created by the children themselves.
The production coincided with an upcoming Inquiry Learning topic, ‘Create, Make, Do’.
Part-time teacher and school parent Robyn O’Hagan who has experience in theatre, oversaw the production.
Children from each of the syndicates for Years 1 to 8 developed the script Years 1-8. The Juniors (0-3) worked on early birdlife in Hawke’s Bay: pre-human settlement. The Middles (4-6) created the early Maori life and the arrival of the first settlers. The Seniors (7-8) took care of the Napier earthquake – before, after and the rebuild.
Students from local Catholic schools, Reignier, Sacred Heart and St Johns Colleges attended the matinee and about 800 friends and family members saw the evening show.
When it was all over, we realised we could do it. We made it from scratch. We made it ourselves. We realised when you put your mind to something, even when it gets tough and the end seems so far away, you can achieve anything.