Tēnā koutou katoa parent(s), caregivers and whānau,

This week in the ACES Weekly Buzz, we feature student work completed around our Term theme of Identity, we have a coffee and a chat with with Dorothy Feetau one of our Kaimahi at our Maungarei Campus. Read on to stay in the loop with all the latest happenings and important dates at our school. Mauri ora.

Congratulations to Destind for outstanding work done on his latest project, "Back to the Future" time capsule. The learning objective for his particular lesson was: to think critically about my personal identity and the success criteria being: I can reflect on my interests, values and experiences, and create/select items that represent who I am at this point in my life.

Destind has done an amazing job using symbols and text, to craft a creative piece of work looking reflectively at where he is in life, where he has come from and his aspirations (inset above).

1. So the Maori drawing I got on my paper represents my mum, how long she's been looking after me ,the amount of siblings I have and my grandparents.

2. The big graffiti drawing symbolizes where I was raised and brought up. I was born and raised in Otara.

3. I chose the quote from The Lion King because it represents no matter how many mistakes you've made or done , if you just keep trying and not let people get in your way, you can become anything.

4. Also I chose the quote I put in Maori which translates to:
   "I'm selfish, impatient and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I am out of control and at times hard to handle. But if you can't handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don't deserve me at my best." and the reason why I chose this quote was when I was at my lowest from a break up, my brother told me this quote and it has stuck with me ever since.
   

Well done, Destind on your insightful piece of work and for sharing it with our readers!

One of our Maungarei Kaimahi took time out of her day for a coffee and a chat, here's what she shared with us:

• If you could swap jobs with any ACES teacher for a day, who’d it be and why? I think I would swap with Ezra Purcell because he’s just a cool cat aye haha. Ezra has a natural ability to connect with students instantly, which I respect. Also, Ezra consistently brings a sense of fun to working with all students, which reminds me to embrace the joy and youthful spirit in my own work too.

• If ACES had a mascot, what would it be – and would it beat a kiwi in a race? I think it would be a Butterfly because I’d like to think that ACES is a place of transformation for our students. Far out a Kiwi is fast! I guess if the Kiwi was blind and missing a leg, then yeah I reckon the butterfly might win hahaha!

• What song gets you dancing when no one’s watching? Ante up (Robbin Hoodz Theory) by M.O.P - I mean come on… who doesn’t love a good ‘ol krump battle with themselves in the mirror.

• If you could teleport anywhere right now, where would you go – and would you take us with you? I would teleport to Iceland or Switzerland - they have insanely incredible landscapes and of course I’d bring you guys with me. The more the merrier right!
• Which of the 5 ACES Values resonates with you most in your day to day work with Rangatahi? Hope - What I love about hope, is that it is something that you can pass on or instil into someone, a situation or environment that is hopeless. Hope provides a second chance and a promise that things can change for the better, and that’s what I feel we are providing for our Rangatahi here at ACES - a hope for a better future.

• Week 10 - Celebrating different Cultures.
• 9 April (Wednesday) is NO HALF DAY and Tuakana / Teina will be at the Campus.
• 10 April (Thursday) is a HALF DAY finish at 12.30pm.
• 11 April is Tutor Only Day.