BACKAfter the many challenges that Covid-19 has brought over the last few years, Rangitoto College was delighted to be able to hold Kotahitanga Day for our Year 9 cohort. Kotahitanga represents unity, togetherness, and solidarity of people—which are the qualities we hope this day encourages and builds in our Year 9s, their teachers, their Peer Support Leaders, and in Rangitoto College. Preparation began in Term 1 with the creation of class chants and flags. Team spirit was on full display on the day itself.
Beginning with a karakia and run-through of the day, the first activities kicked off at 9:30am. Each activity round had 20 minutes, with 24 groups rotating through 12 activities, designed to build teamwork and communication among students.
Kotahitanga Day is often a highlight for our Year 9 students, and Year 13 Peer Support Leaders, with various activities throughout the day such as acid river, hole in the bucket, tarp flip, and tug of war. Long jump and volleyball were favourites among the many stations which promoted healthy competition between classes and the Blue, Red and White houses, led by Year 9 Deans, Kate Gale, Simon Gabion-Sheehan, and Ryan Borthwick.
Red house came out on top at the end of the day, with 9CA from Blue house taking the title of top-scoring tutor class. There were also special awards given to students throughout the day who represented our school values of Pride, Respect, Integrity, Courage, and Excellence.
Year 13 Peer Support Leader Ethan Rawlings said, “I was able to have a great day with my class that I’ve got to know, led, and looked after for weeks. It was an amazing experience.” This shows the value of this day, not only for the Year 9s but also for the Year 13s who were leading these students and developing strong mentoring bonds across the school community.
We cannot wait for our next Kotahitanga Day in 2023. Thank you to our Year 9 Deans and Senior Leadership Team, the Year 13 Peer Support Leaders, Year 9 Tutor Teachers, Head Students, Cultural and Sports Leaders, teacher-helpers on the activity stations, and of course our 2022 Year 9 students who made this day the best it could possibly be.
