The 2015 year has started with a celebration of partnership for students at both Hobsonville Point schools.

The primary and secondary schools held a combined ‘Waitangi Whanau Day’ on February 5th, providing an opportunity for students to celebrate Waitangi Day together. The theme of this year’s event was partnership - with Maori, with the local community and between the two schools.

The day began with a waiata and welcome at Hobsonville Point Primary School. Students then attended 90 minute workshops of their choice throughout the day, before a voluntary celebration and dinner attended by parents, families and the wider community that evening.

The workshops catered to every interest and included the Treaty of Waitangi, ki o rahi, waka ama, fishing, flax weaving, clay carving, stick games and slam poetry. Creations made during the day were shared with about 400 people who attended the evening event.

“Waitangi Whanau Day was about bringing the community together, enjoying each other’s company and benefiting from being in a partnership rather than alone,” says Sarah Wakeford, Learning Partnership Leader at Hobsonville Point Secondary School. “And it was a great way to start the year, to meet our students’ parents and to be proud of who we are.”

The spirit of partnership between Hobsonville Point’s primary and secondary schools is set to continue, with more shared learning events and opportunities to integrate the students planned over the coming year.