One team was made up of enthusiastic Year 4 dancers, while the other brought together confident Year 5 and 6 performers.
In the lead-up to the competition, both teams showed outstanding commitment by attending weekly morning practices before school. Music echoed from the school hall before the day began, as dancers perfected their timing, energy and stage presence. Their dedication is a true reflection of our POWER values. The girls embraced the Opportunity to be part of something special and strived for Excellence every step (and leap) of the way.
For some students, this was their first time performing on stage, and it was inspiring to see confidence grow as the competition approached. More experienced performers shared their skills, supported their teammates and brought fresh ideas to the choreography. Through it all, the teams demonstrated creativity, determination, and resilience.
I wanted to be part of Dance NZ Made because I like dancing, and Cold as Ice was a really fun song. I don’t dance outside of school, so I liked trying it out. I found some moves tricky to learn, but I kept practising and got better at them. I enjoyed performing in front of others and felt proud.
I’ve never tried Dance before, and I wanted to give it a go this year. I found learning some parts of the dance hard, but the more we did it, the easier it got. I loved the workshops we did on the day, we got to try and learn some different types of dance from the judges, and I really enjoyed performing in the evening in our costume and makeup.
I felt a bit nervous to perform, but the dance went great, and I felt awesome at the end of the performance. The practices were so much fun, and I was excited to learn each week. We all worked together, and we came 3rd runner up, which was amazing.
When the big day arrived, the excitement was clear. Dressed in their costumes and ready to shine under the stage lights, both groups performed with both passion and pride. Their energy, teamwork, and dedication were on full display throughout the performances. The cheers from the audience and proud smiles from whānau said it all.
With 5 ½ years of teaching experience and a lifelong connection to Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland, my passion for education has been shaped by growing up in a rural community, surrounded by nature and animals. Wairakei Primary feels like home, reflecting the sense of belonging and community that made school such a special part of my childhood.
Now settling into life in Taupō with my husband, time is often spent exploring the region—enjoying hīkoi’s by the lake, swimming, fly-fishing, and camping. Dance has always been a huge part of my life, and rediscovering this passion as an adult has been an exciting journey.
My strengths as a Kaiako are in teaching The Arts, Hauora (Health), and Te Reo Māori. Creating Mana Ūkaipo—a sense of place and belonging—is at the heart of teaching, ensuring that every student takes pride in who they are and where they come from, allowing them to flourish.
Waiho i te toipoto, kaua i te toiroa. Let us keep close together, not wide apart. This whakataukī highlights the importance of connection, relationships, and shared journeys. Strong school-whānau partnerships are key to student success and engagement, and being part of the Wairakei community brings excitement for the relationships, learning, and growth ahead.
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