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Culture and The Arts

Opportunities exist for all students and our cultural diversity brings together a mix of vibrancy and talent that makes our College unique.

The Arts

At St Thomas, students can be involved in The Arts by:

  • 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

Students at St Thomas’ are educated in a diverse environment which prepares them for 21st century New Zealand and the global environment of the modern world. Our Māori men achieve in learning, sport, culture, service, and Young Enterprise business at regional and national levels.

At St Thomas of Canterbury College, we are proud to be 21% Māori.

We have:

  • Kapahaka
  • Taiaha
  • Takahanga marae wananga
  • Manu korero
  • Whanau meetings
  • Whanau Board of Trustees representative
  • Year 13 leadership team Whanau Leader position
  • Hangi

We teach:

  • Te Reo years 7 – 13

We are involved in:

  • “He kakano” Ministry of Education Maori achievement strategy
  • Relationship with Tuahiwi, Rehua and Nga Hua e Wha Marae

Pasifika

Talofa, malo le lei, kiaorana, bula.

Students at St Thomas’ are educated in a diverse environment which prepares them for 21st century New Zealand and the global environment of the modern world. Our Pasifika men achieve in learning, sport, culture, service and Young Enterprise business at regional and national level.

At St Thomas of Canterbury College, we are proud to be 18% Pasifika

Pasifika Staff Leaders

Andrew Auimatagi

Johnny Leo’o

We have:

  • Polyfest
  • Pasifika speech competitions (Regional and National winners in Samoan speech)
  • Umu
  • Pasifika parents’ meetings
  • Pasifika Board of Trustees representative
  • Year 13 leadership team Pasifika Leader position

We teach:

  • Samoan years 7 – 13

We are involved in:

  • We are leading a major Pasifika achievement and engagement strategy in the Upper Riccarton Learning Community Cluster, working with Riccarton High School, Villa Maria College, Riccarton Primary School and Our Lady of Victories Primary School.
  • We have a close relationship with the University of Canterbury Pasifika Talanoa Centre.