The school recognises the importance of offering kapa haka by including it as part of classroom programmes.  It is open to all students from Year 3 up and is currently separated into 2 groups – our junior group drawn from Year 3/4 and our senior group drawn from Year 5-8.  Both groups are very well patronised, with a total of 129 of our students participating in one or the other group. They take turns in performing powhiri or farewells for visiting groups of teachers and students from overseas, as a lead into our school assemblies, and both groups perform for parent evenings or in public performances when appropriate.

Every 2-3 weeks, Yr 1-6 classes visit our performing arts specialist teacher for a fun programme of singing, dancing, drama and lots more. They have access to a wide range of musical instruments and their creativity is nurtured and encouraged. Yr 7/8 classes receive a Friday specialist music programme where they learn instrumental and compositional skills.

WAITAKERE OPPORTUNITIES IN THE ARTS

SCHOOL PRODUCTION

This is a biennial event and alternates between a whole school production (involving all students) and an auditioned musical production (a chance for our keen performers to shine).

J ROCK/DANCE NZMADE DANCE FESTIVAL

Also, a biennial event, this dance festival involves approx. 100 keen dancers. We have weekly lessons to learn a choreographed dance with a professional dance instructor, culminating in a very special evening performance at the Aotea Theatre or Bruce Mason Centre.

KIDS4KIDS CHOIR FESTIVAL

For our keen singers, we take part in the Kids4kids Kiwi As! Choir Festival led by Jackie Clarke and Nathan King, in association with World Vision. We have weekly singing lessons with Meghan Carppe, a highly experienced, trained opera singer, learning up to 20 songs to perform at the Bruce Mason Centre in November. It is an incredible experience as we sing as part of a 500 strong massed choir.

KIWILELE MUSIC FESTIVAL

We offer weekly lessons for beginner and advanced ukulele players to prepare for our participation in the annual Kiwilele Festival with 2,000+ other keen musicians from schools all over NZ. In the past, we have performed at the Trusts Stadium and Vector Arena (with SIX60!) and it is always a memorable experience!

ROCK BAND

Our rock band is in its’ 3rd successful year and we appreciate having the tutorship of Oscar Hemingway, an accomplished musician in his own right. We have performed for large audiences and are looking forward to sharing our talent at more assemblies and community events in the future!

RECORDER GROUP

Beginning in 2018, children have the opportunity to have weekly lessons in playing the recorder. This is a very useful instrument to start with, as it is very easy to play and has the same fingering as many other woodwind instruments.

TRIPS TO THE THEATRE

Each year, Yr 3-8 students are given the opportunity to visit the Aotea Theatre and enjoy the delights of watching a popular musical performed on stage. In the past, we have seen High School Musical and Oliver! performed by NYTC (National Youth Theatre Company). Our students are encouraged to join this wonderful theatre company and we have enjoyed watching our very own students shine on stage for the past two years!

WAITAKERE HAS TALENT

We encourage children to excel in the arts at WPS, and many choose to take part in our annual Waitakere Has Talent competition, preparing for the Nor West Talent Show, held at the end of the year.

END OF YEAR ARTS CELEBRATION

This is a biennial event, taking place in even years. This is an evening event, where students are encouraged to perform for our wider school community. Whether it be a class item, instrumental or group performance, it is yet another special opportunity for our students to shine!

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INSTRUMENTAL LESSONS

Waitakere Primary School offers children the opportunity to learn a range of instruments including the keyboard, piano, guitar and drum lessons during class time. These lessons are taken by our itinerant music teachers- Cherie Kaushal (keyboard/piano), Damian Hauwai (guitar-also beginner drums and keyboard) and Oscar Hemingway (drums-also guitar and keyboard). Cost of lessons is approx $30 for individual lessons and $18 for groups and lessons are generally 30mins. Email Cherie, Damian or Oscar for more information and to enrol your child in lessons. 

TUTOR PROFILES

CHERIE KAUSHAL - aucklandpianoteacher@gmail.com

Cherie has been playing the piano since she was 7yrs old. She attended school in Waiuku and sang in various choirs and played in school bands and orchestras. Cherie has been teaching privately since 1997 and with NZMSM since 1999. She has also been an examiner for NZMSM and has taught at Waitakere Primary since 2015. Cherie's main instrument is piano, but she also teaches keyboard and beginner guitar. Teaching is more than a job to Cherie, it is her love and passion and she loves nothing more than to see children experience the joy of learning an instrument.

DAMIAN HAUWAI - dhauwai@gmail.com

Damian has been playing music since he was 10yrs old. He is a Bachelor of Music (Jazz) graduate with 27yrs experience as a guitarist, and has performed both in NZ and internationally. Experienced in playing in many different bands from jazz funk to RnB, rock and pop, he has a strong background in teaching guitar and bass in Auckland for all ages in both primary and high schools. His main instruments are guitar and bass but he teaches piano and drums from beginner to intermediate level.

OSCAR HEMINGWAY - oscarhemingway@hotmail.com

Oscar is an accomplished musician, playing a range of instruments including drums, guitar, bass and keyboard. A talented songwriter, he has produced his own CD with his band 'The Big Time' and enjoys playing a wide variety of music. At 25, he has been tutoring for five years. His passion is song writing and playing live, so teaches with a focus on playing good songs, enjoying jamming and generating a passion for music. Oscar has taught at Waitakere Primary for 4 years and students enjoy his youthful, fun approach to learning.

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