Carvings pay homage to school's past

Most students from Tauranga Boys' College who began work a year ago on Maori carvings dedicated to their school have left, but they've provided a legacy and inspiration for younger students.

New carvings designed and created by students and murals depicting house leaders designed by Owen Dippie were to be unveiled at the college today.

Four carvings, researched and designed by Year 12 and Year 13 carving students, will take their place in the school's grounds where black and white mural portraits of house leaders, Sir Bernard Freyberg, Sir Murray Halberg, Sir Edmund Hillary, Sir Apirana Ngata, Te Moananui-a-Kiwa Ngarimu and Sir Ernest Rutherford are painted.

Former student Maia Ririnui carved one of the most well known and powerful Maori concepts Turangawaewae [a place to stand] which will greet students outside the school's main office.

"I'm grateful I was able to do that carving and I can share a story through a carving that can be passed down for other generations, for others to see and to be inspired," Mr Ririnui said.

"As a school, we can relate to these carvings a lot. Turangawaewae is our school's motto. It's a place where we can stand."

Year 12 students Josiah Muraahi and Quin Matenga carved Kotahitanga [Unity] that represented the school's different cultures.

Year 13 student carver Ipu Hapi designed Hine Raukatauri [Maori goddess of music] that would be placed at the school's music department, and Wetere Scrimshaw carved Hine Pu Te Hue, [Maori goddess of peace] which aligned with the Maori God of War that was housed at the school's wharenui [meeting house].

Last year's school prefect, Hamish McGeorge, 19, was the brains behind the mural idea and is looking forward to seeing it become a reality.

"Now these [murals] are actually out there it feels like I've really accomplished something. The whole time I wanted it to be a learning curve for all students to be able to actually see the leaders that we look up to," Mr McGeorge said.

As part of NCEA qualifications, carving tutor Peter Smith had his level two and level three students come up with an idea to give back to the school.

Students came up with their own concepts that they felt were important to themselves and to the school.

"Most of the time carvings are taken home but we had an opportunity to carve something here and leave it at the school for other boys to see," Mr Smith said.

These carvings would not only leave behind a legacy from senior students but also inspire new students, he said.

"I think it's huge for the boys that are walking through those school doors, a Year nine student will see carvings that the older students have done and completed.

"That's something that will inspire them and that's where our kaupapa [principle] leads to."