Page 85 - NHS Beyond the Classroom

The Woolfe Fisher Award is presented to superb results in School Certificate Art. This year
about 20 teachers throughout New Zealand each (1998) Mrs Sabbage has been given the award. This
year in recognition of their hard work. The criteria will give her some money to travel to Australia in
that the teacher has to meet is to be enthusiastic 1999 in order to further her artistic interests. She
about their subject and to encourage all their will also have time to take in some of the tourist
students to achieve the best that they can. attractions.
In 1997 Ngaruawahia High School achieved - Natasha Derecourt

I am aware that an event such as this only behalf of all the artists, art teachers and art students
happens once in a lifetime, so I’m going to make throughout New Zealand. I believe we have now
the most of it. won ourselves a place in the world.
I feel both highly honoured and particularly It is a moving an unique experience to be part
privileged to have won this award and I thank both of a world that is beginning to value significantly
the community, the school, parents and AEG, but the ‘making of Art’ in comparison to the ‘un-
most of all the students for making this possible. making’ of many peoples in our community such as
My belief is that a teacher can only be in Kosova, Kashmir and Sierra Leone.
excellent if students allow them to be. In other It is as we enter a new millenium that
words, an exciting learning environment can only Leonardo Da Vinci’s “Proportional Man” is on the
happen if both students and teachers are involved in face of the Euro currency - an acknowledgement of
a reciprocal relationship, a sharing of ideas together. the artist. Ralph Hotere’s work is used by Westpac
This often happens in the rich and privileged in New Zealand - an acknowledgement of the artist.
community at Ngaruawahia High School. In all Colin McCahon’s work is consistently in the
learning areas, our students successes in Smokefree, newspapers and discussed - an acknowledgement
Aerobics, Kapa Haka, Rock Quest, the results in of the artist.
English, Maths, Maori, our outstanding reading Students of Ngaruawahia High School
programme, Science Fair and sports and the designed and produced two murals (below) for
Technology faculty who have proved they are on Kimi Kimi at Turangawaewae, a significant
the cutting edge of Tech’ Ed’ activities are all historical event - certainly an acknowledgement
examples of a unique working relationship. and a valuing of our young students, of the artist
These are examples of excellence in teaching within their souls.
and, I say here, excellence in student learning. Finally I would like to thank from my heart all
Grasp these opportunities honeys, sieze the day. my past and present students and my own children
Without a doubt we all owe these successes to Lisa, Nicolas, Jase and Kelly for being such open,
not only the students but to our Principal Barbara supportive and wonderful receivers of the skills I
Cavanagh. She encourages and supports us all and have shared with them. They truly are the most
she is an example of “Excellence in Leadership”. deserving of the award “Excellence in Art Making”.
I would also like to accept this award on - Lynda Sabbage