Pre-planning
Hanging panel
The idea for a programme of learning
While sitting in the school wharenui Taraika at the annual beginning-of-year staff meeting, Kylie contemplated the aesthetics of the building. She says that in her experience wharenui are colourful, decorative places with really beautiful interiors and exteriors. In contrast, Taraika is a young wharenui (built in 1994) and its whānau (family) is constantly moving on, consequently, she notes, there has been limited opportunity for "gifting" decoration and the interior "looked quite plain". Over the year she thought about how it might be brightened up and decided that creating some kind of decoration for Taraika would make a great project with a client for a year 13 class.
Planning the idea with students
Kylie discussed the possibilities with her class, and suggested that a project like this would provide them as seniors with an opportunity to give something back to the school. The students could leave a little part of themselves behind for future generations. The students were enthusiastic about the idea. Kylie proposed a set of hanging panels to add colour and interest to the wharenui, and the students were keen to work on these. She notes that this sort of project allows the better students to be extended and also caters for those new to the subject or who lack advanced skills.
Students would design their panels as an artistic piece for a client, and also as samplers to display a variety of textile manipulation techniques.
Identifying stakeholders
They had to consider a large number of stakeholders. These included all the students and staff in the school, as well as community groups which used the wharenui for hui. Kylie identified HOD Māori Matua Ben (Ben Tangaere) and Principal Prue Kelly as the main clients. Other key stakeholders were teachers and staff who were Māori or had strong links, and kapa haka (Māori performing arts) students.
For next steps see: Delivery