On Tuesday the 10th March our school proudly hosted the first Waikato Stick n Stones Activator Event, we had students from Hamilton Girls High School, Hamilton Boys High School, Nga Taiatea Wharekura, Rototuna Junior school, Rototuna Senior school and Huntly College attend...
Sticks n Stones Activator Event
On Tuesday the 10th March our school proudly hosted the first Waikato Stick n Stones Activator Event, we had students from Hamilton Girls High School, Hamilton Boys High School, Nga Taiatea Wharekura, Rototuna Junior school, Rototuna Senior school and Huntly College attend.
Sticks n Stones was created by young people for young people. https://www.sticksnstones.co.nz/
Research shows that 1 in 3 New Zealand kids are bullied.
At Sticks ‘n Stones we create programmes, opportunities, workshops and events for 8-18 year olds that empower us to have the skills, confidence and connections to be ourselves 
and support our peers to feel accepted and respected and for bullying to be a thing of the past.
This programme was an opportunity to develop confidence, leadership and social/emotional skills for students who care about creating safe spaces online and off. Our student leaders and mentoring team had a wonderful time connecting and sharing stories with students from other schools. They were surprised at similar issues each school had and how much they had in common. A school plan was made that will help with developing our peer mentoring and student leadership programmes across the kura.
A big thank you to Whaea Nicole and her Hospitality team for the amazing savouries, pulled pork buns, ham buns and delicious slices, the drink was divine and I think we have established ourselves in the Waikato for having the best food at a high school made by our students.
Tino pai!
Student responses:
When attending sticks and stones, most of us were really anxious. Once we got into groups however, none of us could stop talking. Attending the event was a great experience for us as it helped to build confidence when socializing and also cleared up some assumptions we had of other schools. -- Stefanus Du Toit
Sticks and stones was a unique experience. I learned so much and I connected really well with my team. If anybody receives the opportunity to do this course, they should definitely take it as it will help you grow as a person. I hope to implement some of the things I learnt into our school. -- Aomi Irani
Sticks and stones, what an amazing experience, I Learnt so much at this event, meeting people who I try to follow in my journey as Head boy,(it was that amazing). If anybody gets the chance to go I highly recommend going because Sticks and stones will provide you with knowledge that can and will help you in school but most importantly in the real world if implemented correctly. -- Te Oranga Herangi
