Culture & The Arts
Opportunities
From visual arts and music to kapa haka, polyfest, debating, drama, and stage productions, there’s something for everyone to explore and enjoy.
By taking part, students gain valuable experience performing in front of their peers and wider audiences—building confidence, developing their voice, and growing personally. These opportunities enrich their educational journey, helping them discover new passions, express themselves creatively, and connect with their community
The Arts
At St Thomas, students can be involved in The Arts by:
- Being part of Polyfest
- Singing in a national Choir festival
- Learning an instrument
- Being in a rock, jazz or orchestral band
- Composing and recording original music
- Live performance
- Participating in drama and musical productions
- Learning technical and sound skills backstage
- Theatresports
- Exhibiting in art shows
- Producing original artwork for display around the College
- Painting murals on our buildings
- Kapahaka, Taiaha, Pasifika dance
- Debating and public speaking
Māori
Kia tū kaha, kia tū maia, kia tū Hato Tamati e
Nau mai ki te kura nei ko Hato Tamati. We are proud to enable our ākonga Māori at Hato Tamati to experience success & achievement as Māori. Our students have opportunities to participate and succeed in various kaupapa Māori that foster connection with te ao Māori and cultural identity.
Throughout the year, our Māori students participate in a wide range of kaupapa Māori, including Ngā Manu Kōrero, Kapa Haka, Ki-o-rahi, and Noho Marae Wānanga. These experiences help them develop leadership, confidence, and a deep sense of belonging. Students can also take part in traditional practices such as Taiaha, attend whānau meetings, and contribute to the school’s leadership through the Whānau Board Representative and Whānau Leader roles.
Te Reo Māori and Te Ao Haka are taught from Year 7 through to Year 13, ensuring language and culture are valued across all levels of learning. Cultural celebrations such as hāngi and marae wānanga further enrich our school community, creating opportunities for our ākonga and whānau to come together in the spirit of kotahitanga.
Pasifika
Mālō e lelei, Tālofa lava, Kia orana, Ni Sa Bula Vinaka, Kia orana, Mauri and warm Tangata o le Moana greetings.
Our ākonga are educated in a diversely cultural environment where our Pasifika Tama are not only celebrated but encouraged to be proud of their cultures. Our young men and their aiga are supported by our wider Pasifika community and Staff through different events throughout the year. We are proudly 22% Pasifika at Sagato Tomasi Kolisi.
Each year we have the Pasifika Welcome BBQ, followed by key cultural celebrations such as Polyfest, Po fa’afiafiaga, and the Tausala/Manaia fundraiser. We also proudly mark Samoan, Tongan, and Fijian language weeks with special dinners and Pasifika flag-raising ceremonies. Academic success and cultural pride are celebrated through the Pasifika Achievement and Year 13 Celebration, while the Power-Up Tutorial Club, Fijian Community Group, and active Pasifika Parents Komiti provide ongoing support and engagement opportunities.
Leadership and achievement are central to our Pasifika programme. Senior students can step into the Year 13 Pasifika Leader role and participate in Spacpac initiatives such as Polyfest, speech competitions, leadership retreats, careers expos, and awards breakfasts.
Pasifika education is also woven into the curriculum, with Junior Pasifika Studies and Gagana Samoa classes available from Year 10 to 13, including NCEA-accredited courses for senior students. Our team of Pasifika staff includes Matafeo Johnny Leo’o (Pasifika Leader and Dean), Andrew Auimatagi (Assistant Principal), Christina Tuiloma (Komiti Chairperson and Attendance Officer), Sai Saukuru (Pasifika Studies Teacher), Shane Reddy (Technology Teacher), Josh Winsloe (Junior Technology and STEM Teacher), Judeena Quinn (Maths and Science Teacher), Vanessa Faletolu (Receptionist) and Support Staff Tino Leuta and Ezra Neal.
Beyond the school, St Thomas plays a leading role in Pasifika achievement and engagement across the Upper Riccarton Learning Community Cluster, working alongside Riccarton High School, Villa Maria College, Riccarton Primary School, and Our Lady of Victories Primary School. We also maintain a close partnership with the University of Canterbury’s Pasifika Talanoa Centre, strengthening connections and opportunities for our Pasifika learners and their families.