West Gore School

21/09/2026

Theatre day! 🎭
7 cars. 2 trailers. Countless props, costumes and helping hands from our tamariki and staff. Pack-in done just before the rain yesterday. St James Theatre, here we come! ✨🚌🚌🚌

21/09/2026

Post 5: 🎭 MĀUI Unmasked - The learning behind the production

When we began this production, we had three intentions as a staff:
✨ We chose a short turnaround time, so our Literacy & Maths could continue and the production would align nicely with our Learning through Play (making and creating props and costumes)
✨ We wanted to value the process as much as the performance
✨ We wanted to give our tamariki a genuine theatre experience

The first two have been happening every day for the past five weeks. And there has been SO much learning happening behind the scenes - in classrooms while props and costumes have been created, in the hall during rehearsals, and in all of those little moments that perhaps won't be visible to our audience on performance night.

🎨 Making & creating
- Designing, building and problem-solving with props.
- Creating costumes and figuring out how ideas could become something that works on stage.
- Using recycled and everyday materials to create something new.
- Students making decisions, sharing ideas and taking ownership of their contributions.

🎭 Valuing the process
- Learning lines, movement, songs and choreography.
- Trying something, getting it wrong, changing it and trying again.
- Building confidence to perform in front of others.
- Learning to collaborate, compromise, listen and take responsibility.
- Developing resilience when things don't go to plan.

Our classes have also been learning to take feedback, make changes and try again. They’ve been developing their understanding of performance, movement, rhythm, timing and the elements of the Drama and Dance curriculum - while, importantly, having fun.

Tomorrow, we move into our third intention.
🎭 The theatre experience. Watch this space!

20/09/2026

20/09/2026

🎭 Post 4 :Our Community Behind the Curtain ❤️
A school production truly takes a village!
A huge thank you to all the wonderful whānau and volunteers who donate materials, sew, cut, paint, help behind the scenes and cheer our tamariki on.
Your time, creativity and support help make this production possible and create special memories for our children to treasure.
We couldn’t do it without you! 💛✨

18/09/2026

🎭 If you’ve been wondering what this year’s West Gore School production is about, this short video gives you the storyline in a minute!

Watch to discover the world of MĀUI Unmasked and the adventure our students are bringing to the St James Theatre stage. ✨

16/09/2026

🤪 Things got a little WACKY today! 🤪

A massive thank you to everyone who brought their creativity, laughs, and amazing energy to our Wacky Wig & Hair Day!
We are so proud to be raising vital funds for the Child Cancer Foundation to support Kiwi kids and their whānau. 💙From towering hair creations to the brightest wigs, you all absolutely smashed it! Swipe through the photos below to check out today's masterpieces. 👇👇

15/09/2026

🌟 Post 3: Students as Creators
Our students aren’t just performing—they’re helping create the show.
Many of the movements, ideas and staging have come from their own creativity. It’s wonderful to see their ideas come to life on stage. ❤️

15/09/2026

Kia ora everyone. We are looking for a dog costume similar to this one. If you have one, or can source one, can you please let us know at [email protected] or (03) 2087586.