Celebrating Creativity in Visual Arts

In Visual Arts we take immense pride in seeing the completed work of our senior students on display and the exceptional effort that has gone into the production of portfolios – a display of critical creative success! Our annual exhibition of senior art took place on Thursday 22nd October and was proudly supported by the Parent Action Group. It was special to see the work of our senior students on show being celebrated by the school community, whānau and friends.

Following on from our Senior Art Exhibition we have farewelled Year 12 and our departing Year 13 students, sending Year 13 portfolios to Wellington for External Assessment. We have also acknowledged the success of our senior learners who have achieved academic excellence for their exceptional efforts in the Visual Arts and our specialised subject areas of Art Design, Art Painting and Art Photography and Art History. We’d like to congratulate the following recipients of our top awards in Year 13 and Y12 Visual Arts:

The TuiSamoa Outstanding Academic Achievement Award – Lou Kidd
The Ara Lodge Achievement Award – Koharu King
The Year 12 Visual Arts Cup – Sylvie Chalmers

Our junior students have also been represented in the recent Junior Arts Festival held in Rangitoto of the Ken Havill Centre for Learning on Monday 9 November – another successful highlight representing the diverse range of talent emerging from the Year 9 and Year 10 Art – Nga Toi classes. Special thanks to Danielle Teleiai for your organisation of this event and to all who participated and attended in support of the akonga of whare toi.
Lastly, on behalf of the department we’d like to wish Sophie Bannan all the best as she embarks on a journey south to Ōtautahi with her whānau. As well as developing the Art History curriculum, as TIC Art History, and assisting with the growth of our Junior Art program she has taught across the Visual Arts and shared her expertise too in her role as Year 13 Assistant Academic Director. We will continue to be grateful for all she has supported us with, all that she has shared with us and our students both in and outside of the classroom on incredible trips. Thank you so much Sophie and we wish you the very best for your journey south.

Lastly, to all of the students – stay safe over the holiday break and we look forward to welcoming you back to school next year.

Please enjoy the images of our Senior Art Exhibition, celebration of Senior Art Award recipients and exhibition of Junior Art as a part of Junior Arts Festival 2026.

Kirsty Britton-Taylor and Ashley Heelam – Co-HODs Visual Arts