Hundreds of students in years 5 to 8 gathered at Douglas Park School to participate in the recent Connect, Inspire, Learn Conference.
The conference aimed to have students take “ownership of their own learning,” schools liaison at REAP Wairarapa Trudy Sears said.
A large group of 210 students from 14 different Masterton schools joined in for the day, where students led workshops and taught others about their particular passions.
More than 50 different workshops were run by 110 students and the workshops ranged from computer coding, macrame, gymnastics, dance, and chess to subjects such as basic German and lessons in Afrikaans. Cultural Māori workshops in making and performing Poi, playing kī-o-rahi, and Te Rākau stick games were included in the day.
Sears said it was a mix of physical, technical, creative, and cultural passions, all coming together to share knowledge and inspire other students.
There was even a bit of entrepreneurial spirit as one workshop taught ‘Business Build Up’.
This was the third time the conference has been held with a hiatus since 2019 due to covid-19.
Sears said it was a good opportunity for the students to mix as a community before going to college, and the day helped inspire students to “feel confident being a leader.”
