The Mana Pounamu
Awards are a Ngāi Tahu initiative to celebrate the success of young Māori
students (rakatahi) from Otago secondary schools. Every year each school has
the opportunity to nominate two students who have shown on-going commitment to
the school through academic, sporting, cultural and community achievements.
This year’s nominees
from St Kevin’s College were Merekite Waahitapu (Year 11) of Ngāti Maniapoto and
Ngāi Te Rangi for the Teina (Junior) award and Hannah Mihaere (Year 13) of Ngāi
Tahu and Ngāti Kahungunu for the Tuakana (Senior) award. Both Merekite and
Hannah have shown exceptional dedication to their studies, sporting, cultural
and community commitments and were recognised for this last Friday 26th
October at the awards ceremony in Dunedin. The major achievements
recognised on the night for each student were:
Merekite Waahitapu:
·
Member
of Kapa Haka
·
School
Council Representative
·
NSW
Science Competition
·
Netball
NZ Local Umpiring Certificate 2012
·
Excellence
Award Year 11
·
Under
15 North Otago Basketball Team
·
Under
15 South Island Māori Netball Team
·
Under
17 North Otago Netball Team
·
St
Kevin’s College Junior Sportswoman 2012
Hannah Mihaere:
·
Leader
for Kapa Haka (Kaea)
·
Member
of School Choir
·
Waitaki
District Youth Council Member
·
Cultural
House Captian/Prefect
·
Achieved
NCEA Level 1 with Excellence
·
Achieved
NCEA Level 2 with Merit
·
Senior
A Netball Squad
·
Under
19 Representative for Te Waipounamu Māori Netball Team
·
Runner
up St Kevin’s Senior Soloist
Both students received
a pounamu pendant with Hannah also receiving a three year scholarship to Otago
Polytechnic as part of her award. The evening was a huge
success with representatives from each school joining in to tautoko (support)
both their own students, and all students who were honoured during the night
with haka and waiata. The speakers were entertaining and inspirational and the
evening rounded off with a karakia and hangi meal for all guests.
On behalf of the staff
and students at St Kevin’s College congratulations to both students for their
awards, the work that saw them nominated and the whānau for their continued
support. We wish you all the best for your future endeavours.
Sara Plunkett
Arts Co-ordinator - St Kevin’s College
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