Arts & Cultural Activities

Kaiapoi High School has an active Arts & Cultural Activities programme, and our students regularly perform and compete at regional and national events.

Kapahaka - Te Rakiwhakaputa

Students of ALL year levels can join Te Rakiwhakaputa. Te Rakiwhakaputa is heavily involved in community events; Waitangi Day, Children's Day and the Light Party are annual events on our calendar. We also support our local Ngāi Tūāhuriri rūnanga and annually perform at the North Canterbury Kapahaka Celebration Kā Mātākura o Ruataniwhā.

Practices are Mondays 3:15pm-5:45pm. Prior to major events, the students will be expected to wananga (intense workshops) during their own time to prepare.

We also support students who wish to enter the Ngā Manu Kōrero Regional Speech Competitions and FAGASA Samoan Regional Speech Competitions.

Music

Our lively Music department embraces a range of musical styles and activities. Students can join the vocal group, string group or be supported by staff to form their own musical groups. Specialist instrumental and vocal tutors provide lessons during school time for students studying curriculum music

We take the opportunity each year to introduce students to the world of opera, with a trip to the NZBR Opera production at the Isaac Theatre Royal. 

We have had many students involved with Rockquest, including some who have gone through to regional finals.

Dance

We are privileged to have a specialist Dance course, and a purpose built performing arts room with a half-sprung floor. Students have many opportunities to engage with dance, whether they want to compete at a regional or national level, or just enjoy participating. 

Highlights of the dance calendar include the Dance NZ Made workshops and competition, trips to see troupes such as the Royal NZ Ballet, Footnote, Black Grace Company, and workshops with a variety of NZ Dance Companies. We frequently have students representing the school at a national level.

Visual Arts

Students are encouraged and supported to participate in Art events in the community at a local, regional, and national level. Our school murals are one example of the strength of visual art at Kaiapoi High, and student work is displayed in many areas around the school. 

A range of competitions and exhibitions are available each year, such as the Kaiapoi Art Expo and many of our students participate in these events with success. Highlights over the last few years include the Wow! Weta Workshop trip to Wellington, printmaking workshops in the CBD, and exhibitions at local primary schools.

Drama

Outside of the classroom, students have weekly opportunities to participate in Theatresports, led by our senior students. This runs as a club, but also leads to involvement in the Theatresports in Schools competitions, run by the Court Theatre. 

Students have the opportunity to be involved in the annual Sheilah Winn Shakespeare competition, in which Kaiapoi High has had great success at regional and national level. 

Within our own city, trips to the Court Theatre and Hagley Theatre Company Taster Day offer the chance to experience great live theatre.

Film, Media and productions

Our thriving Media Studies courses mean we have high levels of participation, and success in the annual 48hour Film Festival. Students can also enter the Canterbury Secondary Schools' Film Festival, and also celebrate their achievements at the Koscars, our annual media and film awards night. 

School productions are run every second year, and involve students from across all year levels and areas of the school. Set design and construction, hair and make-up, dance troupe, sound and lighting, and of course the musical and theatrical performances, are all opportunities for our students to shine, and showcase their talent for our local community.