Jack Oliver
Our Premier Puna Wānanga award recognises the learner(s) who have demonstrated the highest levels of partnership, new knowledge building and collaboration in helping to build and better community.
Jack worked tirelessly, and continues to do so, on building and bettering the community. Starting in year 11 with a passion for mountain biking, he has spent hours researching, designing, presenting, pitching and connecting with numerous national and international community partners in an effort to revive and revitalise the bike track next to RHS. In August, he received plans from Velosolutions (a company that has developed over 700 pumptracks around the world) with a design that would be best for our school and local community and he is now currently waiting for some sketches of that design so he can use in his funding proposals.
Drybag Project - Paige Little, Lucy Stirling, Regan McMurray
Awarded to a learner(s) that have utilised original and inventive ideas and new approaches in building and bettering the community.
This group utilised a water proofing technique developed in the ECOPRODUCT Puna Wānanga creating dry bags They up-cycled pillow cases donated by Braemar Hospital, marbling these to create one off designs, and then waterproofing, ensuring longterm use.
Nerd Corporation - Matthys Zondagh, Kaiden Walters, Luca Pavlovich
This award recognises the commitment, passion and care to a cause and serving consistently for its betterment.
RNC & RAD have made Nerd Corporation Stations around the school which are desktops that students can freely use if their device is flat. They have also set up 8 nerd corporation stations for students with broken or flat laptops and plan on setting up more next year. Currently they have helped students fix basic IT issues. The plan in the future is making these services accessible to the community and offering IT help services. Furthermore, they have donated laptops received either from donations from the community or from RAD (Recycle a Device) to students who can’t afford them.
Blood Drive - James Blair, Emma Dickson, Jannat Cheema Joshua Shinmar, Caitlyn Messer, Ellen Li, Jennifer Kan, Lena Faisal
This award recognises the learner(s) who have created an event that has excelled in bringing our community together, as well given back to that community for the better.
This group collectively organised and coordinated a blood drive onsite at RHS, where a 116 donations were collected during the day the largest from any high school in Hamilton to date. Due to its success, the group have been invited to be involved in a similar event at the University of Waikato.
Rototuna Primary School Mural - Nina Ozoa, Zara Houlihan, Darliss Long
This Award recognises the learner(s) who go above and beyond in creating a sense of belonging and a joy for learning.
This group researched, worked with others, brainstormed, contacted various people and places. collaborated, gained feedback, discussed ideas, clients wants and needs, putting massive amounts of hours into finishing their project on time. Their piece for the local primary school is ongoing and reflects the values and ideals of the school, who they had to pitch and then work closely with on a final design.
Closeout - Finn Miller
The Sustainable Future Award recognises the learner(s) who has demonstrated sustainable practices in regards to considering environmental protection, social responsibility, and /or economic sustainability.
Finn integrated multiple curriculums to produce a sustainable and beautiful surf wear brand. With a long term goal of becoming a 1% for the planet member, he has researched and produced a product which has shown careful consideration when it comes to ethical use of resources and the production of these.
