- By Aldrich Campos, year 8 pupil at Pakuranga Intermediate School
Pakuranga Intermediate School recently held its Arts and Culture Extravaganza (ACE), a vibrant event celebrating music, dance, drama, and art.
This much-loved annual celebration, or “whakakitenga ahurea” in te reo Māori, gives students the chance to showcase their skills, explore different cultures, and work together as a school community.
The atmosphere on the day was electric. Students and teachers alike felt a mix of nervousness and excitement, but the result was a performance full of joy, pride, and creativity.
ACE brings the school together, strengthens teamwork, and makes learning more exciting and enjoyable.
The principal, Mr Johnston, who started ACE in its current format 11 years ago, explains: “Before ACE, we had a Cultural Evening. Back then, the groups were self-selected and didn’t include as many students.
“Mrs Greenstreet and I wanted to celebrate all the cultures at our school and involve as many students as possible. That’s how ACE began.
“I love seeing students proud of their own culture while celebrating others. I would love to hear more of our languages spoken, see students leading their own groups, and even have parents participate if possible.
“Our school is becoming more diverse, and it’s exciting to see everyone embracing that.”
This year, ACE was so popular that it ran for two sessions, matinee and evening, to accommodate all families. The stage came alive with kapa haka performances, Pasifika dances, and student-led cultural showcases.
Each performance was full of energy, pride, and tradition, reflecting the school’s diverse community.
The deputy principal, Mrs Greenstreet, says: “ACE isn’t just about dancing. It’s about sharing cultures, learning together, and building teamwork.
“Events like this help students understand each other better and show respect for different traditions.”
Students and spectators alike gained much from ACE. They discovered new dances, songs, and traditions, learned the importance of teamwork and respect, and enjoyed expressing themselves creatively.
Parents and teachers cheered for every performance, proud to see the hard work of all students. I was one of the participants and it felt amazing to perform and see everyone’s effort come together.
Families were also delighted to see students from different backgrounds celebrating together.
Also, according to my parents, they really enjoyed every single bit, especially watching me performing another culture, a “Fijian Meke” representing room 6 on stage nicely choreographed by our teacher, Mr Sami.
ACE is more than just a school show – it’s a platform for unity, cultural learning, and celebration.
It strengthens bonds between students, teachers, and families while reminding everyone that diversity is something to embrace and enjoy.
Overall, ACE at Pakuranga Intermediate continues to be a highlight of the school year, bringing joy, learning, and pride to all.
As Mr Johnston says, it’s about celebrating “kotahitanga” – togetherness – and making the school community even stronger through culture and creativity.
