Culture and the Curriculum » Balmacewen Intermediate

School Choir sings Rebuild

Have a listen to our school Choir singing Rebuild. This song was written by our school choir teacher Susan Mepham in response to the 2011 Christchurch earthquakes.

Balmacewen prides itself on the many cultural aspects on offer. Be it singing (Choir and Kapahaka), dancing, acting, fashion or cultural exchanges Balmacewen has it all!

Wearable Arts

Every second year (odd years) Balmacewen Intermediate holds a "Wearable Arts" festival. The students may enter in the following categories - Recycled, Glow in the Dark, Superheroes, Wild and Wacky and Under the Sea.

The students design their costumes, write their own scripts and choose music to match their design. Every year the show grows bigger and bigger and the designs are judged. The Wearable Arts is held at the start of Term 4 in an amazing show celebrating the talents and creativity of our students.

Production

Every second year (even years) Balmacewen undertakes a major production which involves roughly 100 students. The production typically involves dance, music and song and all students have the opportunity to audition for parts. The production is always a highlight of the school year.

Music

Please visit our new music website for resources: click here

Ukulele and the Marimba

All year 7 students at Balmacewen learn the basics of Ukulele and Marimba. Children have the opportunity to join the performance group in this area.

Thursday is a time when cultural activities and learning take priority.

Tuition

Children have the opportunity to learn a huge range of instruments including;

Violin, cello, double bass, clarinet, flute, keyboard, piano, saxophone, recorder, kit drums, trumpet, trombone and guitar.

If you would like to sign your child up for music tuition in 2021 please click this link to download the newsletter

Orchestra

Each year we invite students who are technically capable to join our orchestra. The orchestra typically practises once a week and perform at various events.

Rock Band

Keen guitarists, drummer, vocalists and keyboard players are welcomed to form rock bands, Bands practise weekly and if ready, enter RockQuest.

Choir

Balmacewen Intermediate has a proud and successful history of choir. We have a general "all-comers" choir, festival choir and boys choir. Superbly led by Sue Mepham and accompanist Susan Frame, the choir is a very popular activity.

Kapahaka

Balmacewen intermediate Kapahaka group offers the opportunity for all students to participate and learn about different aspects of Maori culture. These aspects include waiata (songs), Haka, and moteatea (chants). Alongside learnning various waiata, Balmacewen students will also have the opportunity to learn about te reo Maori (Maori language) and Tikanga (Custom, protocol, tradition). If you are unsure about what kapahaka is all about, this could be your motivation for joinning. Balmacewen's goal for our kapahaka group is to have fun.

Whaia e koe ki te iti kahurangi; ki te tuohu koe, me maunga teitei

Seek the treasure you value most dearly: if you bow your head, let it be to a lofty mountain

Culture