Wairarapa College’s Jackson Burling will speak at the conference. PHOTOS/FILE
ELI HILL
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The first Connect, Inspire, Learn Conference, for Masterton’s year five to eight pupils, is taking place today.
More than 200 pupils from 11 Masterton schools will go to Douglas Park School for a day of workshops and speakers.
Organisers hope to show pupils that even when young they can have a voice and can share abilities, interests and skills that inspire others to fulfil their potential.
At the conference pupils will have the opportunity to present a workshop they have prepared on their interests, skills or passions. They also have opportunities to attend workshops that interest them.
The day will open with keynote speakers, Georgie and Millie Higinbottom who inspired and led the ‘Jog Your Memory” fundraiser from Hawke’s Bay to Wairarapa for Alzheimer’s New Zealand in memory of their grandmother.
Wairarapa College’s head boy Jackson Burling will speak in the afternoon. There are 63 workshops on offer during the day, all led by pupils.
Topics range from coding, to sports, culture and crafts.
This is the first time such a diverse range of topics have been offered to Masterton school pupils during a single conference and each workshop offers a unique hands-on experience.
The conference is initiated and organised by a working group of teachers from Douglas Park School and Solway Primary School. REAP Wairarapa is helping to co-ordinate the event and has provided administrative support.