Year 10 Students had a valuable and interactive learning experience a two day programme put together by WEGC and our community links.  'Asia Aware' was a cross-curricular two day programme with a future focus, looking at NZ’s relationship with Asia.  See coverage of the event on the Asia:NZ site.

Over the two days the whole of Year 10 took part in the programme, which included a range of guest speakers.

• Year 10 Geography presentation on ‘A Snapshot of Asia’
• Chris Mouat from ANZ on NZ’s future with Asia and his experiences working in India, Taiwan and China
• Ms Haughton speaking on her recent trip to the Shanghai Expo with other NZ principals
• Young leaders from Asia NZ who have worked and lived in Asia

Students also worked in groups on a scenario. They had to produce a product for a centre in Beijing for NZ migrants. Students created products from i-phone applications to GPS translators and models that showed traditional ways of living in China.  This competition was eventually won by the combined projects of 1010. There were also eight highly commended awards. Spot prizes were donated by ANZ and Asia NZ.

The final afternoon was spent doing fun Asia-related workshops. There were staff volunteers giving presentations on their own trips to Asia, yoga sessions, calligraphy and even Japanese art lessons.

The idea for the two day event came from workshops run by Asia NZ. Curriculum leaders from WEGC brought ideas back to the school and then called on our already established link with ANZ. This link was created by Asia NZ and three other schools in the country also have links to various businesses who have experience operating in Asia that they can share with the schools.