Be Inspired Conference a Hit!
24/06/10 20:40
Getting students inspired
The Wairarapa’s first ever conference for talented Year 6 to 8 students took place last month, with around 125 students from Masterton District schools descending on the Copthorne, Solway, for two consecutive days of workshops and speakers on 5 and 6 May.
The theme was “Be Inspired” and the conference aimed to light the fire of enthusiasm in students and provide a sense of the possibilities open to them. Students had a chance to experience new things and were challenged to expand their horizons.
The event opened with a keynote address from Melissa Moon MBS, Two Time World Mountain Running Champion, World Stair Racing Champion, NZ Sports Woman of the Year 2001. The closing address, and a surprise for students, was from TV2’s Erin Simpson.
A range of workshops was on offer – everything from writing, photography and music, to fencing, forensic entomology, engineering and programmable robots. Most of the tutors were brought in especially from outside the Wairarapa.
This was the first time such a diverse range of tutors and topics have been offered to school students during a single conference and each workshop offered a unique hands-on experience.
The Conference was initiated and organised by Masterton Principal’s Cluster, with major funding from Masterton Trust Lands Trust. Wairarapa REAP provided extensive administrative and funding support – the conference was part of our programme of activities for schools for 2010.
Students were selected by schools to attend because they either demonstrate their gifts or talents, or have yet to realize their own particular potential.
“This was a great opportunity for students to experience an event that could really open up their minds to their own potential,” said Dave Finlayson, Principal of Opaki School. “We hope students left knowing they can achieve anything they set their minds to and work hard at, and be inspired to take positive action.”
The Wairarapa’s first ever conference for talented Year 6 to 8 students took place last month, with around 125 students from Masterton District schools descending on the Copthorne, Solway, for two consecutive days of workshops and speakers on 5 and 6 May.
The theme was “Be Inspired” and the conference aimed to light the fire of enthusiasm in students and provide a sense of the possibilities open to them. Students had a chance to experience new things and were challenged to expand their horizons.
The event opened with a keynote address from Melissa Moon MBS, Two Time World Mountain Running Champion, World Stair Racing Champion, NZ Sports Woman of the Year 2001. The closing address, and a surprise for students, was from TV2’s Erin Simpson.
A range of workshops was on offer – everything from writing, photography and music, to fencing, forensic entomology, engineering and programmable robots. Most of the tutors were brought in especially from outside the Wairarapa.
This was the first time such a diverse range of tutors and topics have been offered to school students during a single conference and each workshop offered a unique hands-on experience.
The Conference was initiated and organised by Masterton Principal’s Cluster, with major funding from Masterton Trust Lands Trust. Wairarapa REAP provided extensive administrative and funding support – the conference was part of our programme of activities for schools for 2010.
Students were selected by schools to attend because they either demonstrate their gifts or talents, or have yet to realize their own particular potential.
“This was a great opportunity for students to experience an event that could really open up their minds to their own potential,” said Dave Finlayson, Principal of Opaki School. “We hope students left knowing they can achieve anything they set their minds to and work hard at, and be inspired to take positive action.”