Music Students Head to New Zealand

During the school holiday, 37 PLC Music students and staff embarked on the inaugural International Music tour to New Zealand. After a very early 4.00am start the first stop was Auckland where the students kicked off the tour with a school exchange day at Long Bay College and a concert. Following that in Auckland were 2 more outdoor concerts (one of which was cut a little short due to rain), a concert at a local music school and some sightseeing, including ascending the Auckland sky tower.

From Auckland, we boarded the bus and headed south to Rotorua where we gave our instruments a little rest and immersed ourselves in the Māori culture and explored the geothermal activity. We attended a traditional Māori dinner and ceremony where we were treated to a Haka and amazing food. We had heaps of fun including a ride on the Jetboat, and a favourite of everyone’s, spending the afternoon up at the cable car and Luge.

A trip to Hell’s Gates mud pools rounded off our time in Rotorua and then we headed even further south to New Plymouth and the Mount Taranaki region, stopping on the way to see a black sand beach. In New Plymouth, we were invited to the Te Paepae o Aotea Māori school where we were greeted with a traditional Māori welcome. The girls learnt how to play the Poi and the boys were taught a little of the Haka. As a musical group, we learnt some traditional New Zealand songs and later we performed at their school assembly to a packed hall. We were then given a once-in-a-lifetime experience of seeing their school perform a Kapa Haka, which concluded in a spontaneous audience Haka in appreciation.

During our time in New Plymouth, we also managed to squeeze in a visit to the local botanical gardens and climbed Paratitu rock where we were rewarded with breathtaking views from the top! Our last big journey was even further south to Wellington where we completed our final musical performance in the centre of a busy shopping centre. Our final day saw us take a trip up the Wellington Cable Car and then a walk back down through the stunning gardens. In the afternoon we visited the amazing Te Papa Museum and explored the surrounding quay area for some souvenir shopping.

I was incredibly proud of the way the students represented PLC both on and off the stage with us receiving excellent feedback on our conduct and performance from several members of the public. The students were given lots of responsibility and they stepped up and were able to personally grow, being rewarded with making lifelong friends and memories along the way.

Term 3 is already looking very busy for the music department as we welcome Miss Kriste-elle Hill into the curriculum teaching space, replacing Mrs Purkis whilst she is on Maternity leave. Later this term, we will take some of our groups and soloists to the Sunshine Coast Junior Eisteddfod where we will compete against other local schools. Some of our music groups will feature throughout the evening at Oceanfest and then the term will close with a farewell to the Year 12 musicians with the Senior Ensembles concert in Week 10.

I look forward to updating you on our endeavours throughout the term.

Mrs Helen Williams, Head of Instrumental Music (P-12)   

OCEANfest