School pupils create sensory space features
Last modified: 20 Jul 2021 12:36pm
Children from all over Selwyn are contributing to the design of Rolleston’s new civic centre, Te Ara Ātea.
Nine schools have been involved in creating feature poles and decorative tiles for the sensory space next door to Te Ara Ātea, which opens in Rolleston’s new town centre on Tennyson Street in November.
The sensory space poles feature a range of themes from representing unique school character to the region’s landscape, flora, birdlife, and environment.
Teacher Leona Whittington said the children at West Rolleston Primary School put in a huge effort to overcome persistent wet weather and competing lunch hour projects.“Our wee art club is so proud of their effort. They really put in so much time and had the best attitudes throughout the whole process.”
Ms Whittington was especially grateful to Andy Benn, the school’s “amazing caretaker”, for his untiring help. Te Ahi Kaikōmako (Rolleston) School pupils, Alice and Keira, said their feature pole “symbolises our school culture”.
Students at their school strived to show 'e tūtāngata' and the school values of being kind, responsible, respectful, connected and resilient. The school’s name originates from the tale of how Maui brought fire to the world and the kaikōmako tree, which Maui used to start the fire, is depicted on the sensory pole, they said. “Our school and staff are the fire that nourishes our learning,” they explained.
The decorative tiles were painted by Waitaha School. Council Project Manager Phil Millar says the tiles will form a ring around a tree in the sensory space.
Schools involved:
- Te Ahi Kaikōmako (Rolleston) School
- West Rolleston Primary School
- Waitaha School·Southbridge School
- Lemonwood Grove School
- Rolleston Christian School
- Glentunnel School
- Clearview Primary School
- Windwhistle School