Bream Bay College's new whare opens, league prizegiving, footballers off to Brisbane and comedy comes to Maungatūroto

Robert Hita, former head girl Melody Hicks and former kaiako Harata Day carry photos of family members while students Brea Suvalko and Shenae Doak-Smith carry a pounamu donated by artist Ralph Hamon into Bream Bay College's new whare. Photo / Julie Paton

College whare opening
Whangārei MP Shane Reti QSM and Te Tai Tokerau MP and Associate Education Minister Kelvin Davis officially opened Bream Bay College's new whare last Saturday.

Shane Reti (left), Des Tarau and Kelvin Davis. Photo/Julie Paton

Rain stalled proceedings, but once extra shelters were brought for visitors the powhiri got under way. Reti and Davis then untied a woven flax ribbon across the door and unveiled plaques in the entranceway.

The opening ceremony for the $730,000 building continued indoors, with speeches followed by performances from Bream Bay College's Rōpū Pasifika and Kapa Haka Rōpū and other musical groups and groups from One Tree Point, Ruakaka and Tauraroa Area schools.

Head of Māori at the college, Junie Shelford, says students are very excited about the new space, and very proud of their new building which will house the school's bilingual unit, te reo classes, kapa haka and Pasifika practices and performances.

"Our tamariki are extra proud of their building," said Shelford. "Having a building like this shows the importance of all things Māori to our whole school."

Junior hockey prizegiving
Bream Bay Hockey Club's 14 junior teams played their last games of the season last Saturday morning and by that afternoon were receiving awards at prizegiving.

Bream Bay hockey players (from left): Jessica Cowpland, Rosie Wigram and Zara Gordon at prizegiving. Photo/Julie Paton

Effort and determination medals went to one member of each of the six youngest teams. Medal winners were: Nathaniel Adams, Alex Pascoe, Khloe Earl, Jacob McLeod, Luke Newey and Ryan Morgan.

Trophy winners from the next age group (Year 4-6) were: Te Koha Rudolph (most improved), Thomas Robertson (most improved), Chayse Aarts/Samantha Foreman (joint most valuable), Tayla Ryland (team player), Chelsea Rickey (most valuable), Zara Gordon (team player), Rosie Wigram (most promising), Kortez Hita-Duval (Green Blank Trophy for dedication to the team), George Trist (most valuable).

Trophy winners from the two teams of Year 7 and 8 players were Ebony Antony-Connor (most promising), Annalise Rickey (Bream Bay News Most Consistent Cup), Kael Heiwari (most improved). The Kiwisticks team coached by Anton Trist won the Northland Hockey trophy for winning their grade.

Rugby league prizegiving
Takahiwai Rugby League Club members held a black and gold masquerade evening at their clubrooms for the end of year prizegiving on Saturday night.

Takahiwai Rugby League club's player of the year, and players' player of the year Charles Tarau. Photo / Supplied

Trophy winners were (for Services to the Club): Carlton Paki Trophy – Lena Pumipi, Russ Hill Trophy – Terry Smart, Balmain Trophy – Kani Epiha; Supporter of the Year (Mary Clyde Trophy) – Juanita Hool; Sportsmanship – Whiwhia Tarau, Sportsperson – Nick Schuster, Most Improved – Taydem Matagi-Lui, Most Promising – Levita Levita, Most Consistent – Ross McFarlane, Most Dedicated – Sione Uolo, Most Valuable – Ed Wilson, Most Tries – Kyle Hool, Most Points – Jesse Epiha, Best Forward – Marley McKay, Best Back – Kyle Hool, Player of the Year – Charles Tarau, Players Player of the Year – Charles Tarau.

Takahiwai Rugby League club member Hori Tuhoro in his new club blazer.

Club member Hori Tuhoro was presented with a club blazer in recognition of 10 years continuous playing for Takahiwai's premier team.

Bream Bay international footballers
Three Bream Bay teens - Thomas Jacobson, Abby Wright and Tenielle Hiki - travel to Brisbane this weekend to compete for the NZCrossWhites in the Australian National Titles tournament.

Bream Bay footballers (from left): Thomas Jacobson, Abby Wright and Tenielle Hiki. Photo/Heather Jacobson

While the NZCrossWhites are part of the Christian Football Ministry, players do not need to be Christian but should demonstrate the values of ability, attitude, fitness, versatility and sacrifice.

The Australian National Titles football tournament is held in a different Australian State every year (and New Zealand in 2011) and competed by age group and open representative teams from each state.

Five New Zealand teams head to Brisbane this year with players selected from around the country through seven trials and a camp, or through proven representative experience. Players travelled to Auckland once a month for training sessions before tournament.

Musical comedy in Maungatūroto
Growing Pains is a musical journey through the highs and lows of travel, romance, motherhood and growing up created by Maungatūroto-based performers Alex McKellar and Whitney Channings and runs for just two shows at Otamatea Repertory Theatre on October 6.

Whitney Channings (left) and Alex McKellar. Photo/Supplied

Channings grew up in Mangawhai and is a past member of Otamatea Repertory Theatre, and McKellar is Otamatea High School's new drama teacher.

After attending drama school in Christchurch then going separate ways globally, Whitney and Alex have united in Maungatūroto to compare stories and break down what it is to be successful at this thing called adulting. Growing Pains is a comedic look at the ups and down of life. Shows are at 2.30pm and 7.30pm. Adults: $20, concession: $16. Tickets from: growingpainscabaret@gmail.com.

■ Email Julie Paton at moojoy@xtra.co.nz if you've got Bream Bay news to share with Northern Advocate readers.