Tōku Ara
My Path
Tōku Ara is a 26 day residential localised curriculum held at our Wharekawa campus in Ōpoutere. It has been specifically designed for the year 10 students of Whangamatā Area School.
"Every single girl has developed skills and lifelong memories that will never be forgotten. We all also got many opportunities we wouldn’t usually get at home. Everyone challenged themselves in some way or another and we have all grown. We’ve grown individually as people but also together. I think that’s so cool. I’ve gotten to form friendships with people I usually wouldn’t talk to and reform friendships that were broken.I am so grateful that I got this opportunity because it’s amazing."
Student 2021 cohort
"I have learnt that I am a leader. I need to use my voice. If I don't like something I need to say it. How is anyone gonna find out otherwise? I have learnt how to take care of myself to my best ability."
Student 2023 cohort
"They treated us like adults and like equals. I feel sometimes for me personally around people that are older than me, I feel a bit small. I can feel quite insignificant, so it was really nice to feel equal."
Student 2021 cohort
"I could name so many things I liked. The walks and runs in the morning were even fun, even though it's three kilometres and you're dying halfway through running on the sand. Afterwards, you’re
still fully energised and feeling great for the day."
Student 2021 cohort
"My success was probably having quite a lot of the people around me. Like all the boys in my cabin, all the mentors, always talking to us, always telling us new ideas and giving us guidance
all the time."
Student 2022 cohort
"We were very lucky to learn about our local land and islands. We learned all about the Pa sites that lay in Whangamata from hundreds and hundreds of years ago, and what they were used for by the early Maori. That puts a whole new perspective of this town in my eyes."
