By Suzanne Oliver
Wairarapa College
More than 1000 voices came together led by the Wairarapa College head boy and head girl on the last day of term. The entire college sang Don’t Worry Be Happy while the judges deliberated in the annual House Singing competition.
The “whole house theme” this year was New Zealand music, and assistant principal Aaron Perkins said the event was a wonderful way to finish off a winter term.
‘Students and staff have spent weeks rehearsing their items and the performance is a really enjoyable afternoon, he says.
‘It was amazing to see individual talent shine through from all levels of the college.’
Each of the six houses performed a junior, senior and whole house item. Remutaka were the overall winners closely followed by Aorangi.
Tararua had New Zealand songs for all their items including Aotearoa and Take It Easy by Stan Walker and Royals by Lorde. Other house choices ranged from the classic Slice of Heaven by Dave Dobbyn to Wandering Eye by Fat Freddy’s Drop.
Many houses were accompanied by acoustic and electric guitars, piano, drums and brass instruments.
Mr Perkins describes the event as “student-led” and a great opportunity for those with musical skills to accompany their house.
“The singing just gets better every year. The students take leadership and encourage others to get involved,” he said.
While the judges made their decision, all the prefects sang a One Direction song and then Head Boy Jonas Tamihana played the guitar while he and Head Girl Ella Major got the entire school singing Don’t Worry Be Happy.
Houses have been rehearsing for weeks with the junior and senior groups spending many lunchtimes practising their song choices. The student lighting crew flooded the stage with each individual house colour.
House music at Wairarapa College
