Week 7 Term 4: English Department: English Department Publication: Our Voices Vol.2 (November 25 - November 29)

"In tautua, lead our community
Lead through uniqueness, your diversity
Lead through leaning, lead through learning
Lead through others, lead by earning
Your own way in the world."
(Dr Selina Tusitala Marsh)

Some of our Y9 and Y10 writers for 'Our Voices' Vol.2

The voices of our young people are unique, diverse and important. The voices of our young people are the voices that will lead and tautua (serve) their families and wider communities in the future. In this second edition of ‘Our Voices’, the English Department is excited to celebrate our young writers who have crafted their texts with excellence, love and commitment. The new curriculum refresh states that “The stories of Aotearoa New Zealand are unique taonga tuku iho.” We believe and honor the stories, the ideas, the experiences, the creativity and the voices of our young people as taonga.

The launch of 'Our Voices' Vol.2

This edition of ‘Our Voices’ stands as a representation and testament to the creativity and courage of storytelling. It is through their storytelling - through their interpretation of a text or through an opinion essay - that we get the privilege of seeing the world through their lens. Through their storytelling, we have the privilege of understanding their experience and how they see themselves. It has been an absolute honor and joy for the English Department to work alongside our young writers this year and to see who they have grown in their writing.

Click on the image to access the digital version of 'Our Voices' Vol.2

‘Our Voices’ provides a platform for our young people to tell their stories and to create their own narratives. A narrative that is nurtured within the English Department but one needs to be shared beyond the classroom. I want to acknowledge the English Department staff for their commitment, aroha and work that they have poured into our students. Thank you to Mrs Pravina Harde, Mrs Christine Lukhelo Williams, Mr Faiyaz Hoosein, Mr Jeremy Spruyt, Ms Anahina Latu and Ms Francis Kolo. I would also like to acknowledge Mr Jeremy Spruyt for editing and producing this year’s publication. Finally I want to acknowledge and thank all of our young writers who have contributed to this year’s publication - thank you for your gift and voice in your writing. Your words resonate with such creativity, cultural richness and power. My hope is that our young writers continue to use their voices to lead, empower and serve their families, school and wider community.