Shamla
“I am a reader. I didn’t grow up with siblings, I had a lot of free time. From my childhood, I read lots of books. One of my favourite authors, she’s Enid Blyton. I grew up reading Famous Five, Secret Seven, Malory Towers – they constituted a big part of my world. The first thing I did when I came to New Zealand was to hunt down libraries nearby.
I usually visit Tūranga. Lot of events happen there. Being inside four walls doesn’t light up your mood, so I come out to Tūranga and spend my time there surrounded by people. It makes me calm. I borrow books and go for a walk around the city. That’s my way of getting to know Christchurch. I just close my Google Maps and explore. So far, I haven’t got lost! It’s very easy to find my way around. In Christchurch city, everything connects.
I earned my Bachelor’s in Environmental Science. I am also passionate about conservation, which made me join Conservation Volunteers. One of the first things that I did when I came to Christchurch was to call them and ask how I could participate.
Moving to a new city could be intimidating. But these volunteering events have helped me a lot to put myself out there and talk to people. People are usually nice and warm. When I say I’m new to Christchurch, they ask about, like, how are you doing? Settling down? How do you find Christchurch? I found a lot of people who are like-minded as well, a lot of people who do conservation work like working outdoors. I also get to go to new places, like Amelia Rogers Reserve and McCormack’s Bay.
And I’m enjoying it very much, that’s the most important thing. When you’re volunteering you should enjoy and really kind of get into what you’re doing. So, I’m happy. I’m learning a lot. I’m getting to know a lot of new people, new environments.
I’m grateful that we moved to Christchurch; it’s one of the best decisions that we have made. I feel welcome in New Zealand, in Christchurch, particularly.”
- Shamla
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Poll: Should drivers retake the theory test every 10 years?
Drivers get where they need to go, but sometimes it seems that we are all abiding by different road rules (for example, the varying ways drivers indicate around a roundabout).
Do you think drivers should be required to take a quick driving theory test every 10 years?
Vote in the poll and share any road rules that you've seen bent! 😱
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49.2% Yes
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48.9% No
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1.9% Other - I'll share below
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Rangiora school’s Te Whare Mātauranga aims to boost arts, culture
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Rangiora High School is investing in arts and culture with a new learning whare, as the principal looks to support a growing community.
The school’s much anticipated Te Whare Mātauranga (house of learning) is due to open in term four, while a community performing arts centre is also proposed.
The Government has told schools to focus on literacy and numeracy, but acting principal Remihana Emery, himself a maths teacher, said there was still merit in arts and culture.
The $1.2 million, multi-purpose Te Whare Mātauranga is being fully funded by the school’s board of trustees.
‘‘The whare is waiting on some minor things to be completed and we are hoping to open it in term four,’’ Emery said.
‘‘It is a great investment for the school and the community.’’
The 171 square metre whare has an ‘‘imposing’’ frontage, and will be used for cultural and community events.
It will have a multi-use cultural and teaching space equivalent to 1.5 classrooms, a wet room / dining space and a huge 51m2 north-facing verandah.
The teaching space will be big enough for 35 students.
As an auditorium, it will seat 65 people, while 30 could be seated in the dining room.
The whare is located on Wales St at the northwest corner of the school grounds, facing Mt Grey.
Board of trustees presiding member Simon Green said the school worked closely with Te Ngāi Tūāhuriri Rūnanga in planning the whare.
‘‘We are really pleased with how it is coming along.
‘‘Our intention is for every student to spend time in the building during the year and to understand the significance of it.’’
He said the school’s Māori department will move into the new whare building, which will mean moving it back on to the main site rather than being housed in an old prefab across the road.
A sub-committee has been formed to develop a proposed 800-seat performing arts centre / auditorium which is likely to cost $10-12 million.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
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