School holidays, July 11–25 July 6, 2016 | Hibiscusmatters | 17

The noisy click-clack-BANG of plastic cups being quickly stacked and unstacked, followed by a hit on the digital timer is something that the Foster family is well used to.Ashley Foster, aged 12, became a member of the national sport stacking team, the Black Stacks, earlier this year. At his first international competition, in Germany in April, Ashley came home with a medal for qualifying for the most difficult challenge, the Cycle Finals.This achievement came after hours of practice – Ashley first saw sport stacking online 18 months ago, bought some Speed Stacks cups and took some online tutorials. He says he was quite slow at first, but improved in leaps and bounds. His father, Richard, says it quickly becomes addictive with young stackers practising far into the night.Stacking is both an individual and team sport that involves stacking and unstacking 12 specially designed plastic cups in a pre-determined sequence. Stackers can race against the clock and in relays.It is growing in popularity, with many taking up stacking after seeing impressive demonstrations by the world’s fastest stackers on YouTube. Almost 400 people competed at the recent World Championship with countries in Europe and Asia in particular fielding large teams. Top competitors take less than two seconds to stack and unstack the cups in a predetermined pattern, their hands

Stacks of fun at sport stacking demonstration

Watch a clip of Ashley in action at localmatters.co.nz

flying from one cup to the next.The dexterity and concentration required to move the cups around at lightening speed is clear to see, and it’s an ability that apparently falls off with age – top stackers are generally under 18 years old and Richard says most peak at 17–19, then their times fall off. People can enjoy stacking at any age however, and the American team apparently has senior competitors in it.These school holidays, locals will have a chance to see how it’s done, and have a go themselves, when Ashley and Richard, who live on the North Shore, bring their cups to Orewa Library.Richard says the presentation at the library, on July 13 at 10am will include a video montage of the best international stackers. Ashley will demonstrate his stacking skills and there will be an opportunity to try stacking for yourself.Richard is also starting a club on the North Shore, which will be the closest one to the Coast. It has a Facebook page – North Shore Sport Stacking.Info on Black Stacks at speedstacks.co.nz

Ashley Foster will demonstrate the addictive art of cup stacking in Orewa these school holidays.

School holidays, July 11–25| Hibiscusmatters | July 6, 201618

experience working with children and youth. She has done everything from camps, community groups and sports teams to running school electives and working with local charitable trust You Are, which helps teenage girls discover their potential. “The moment I discovered Skids I knew I had found the perfect business that married my skill set with something I am passionate about.” She says the Skids school holiday programme this month includes activities like super hero day, survivor day, Olympics and trips to North Shore trampoline, as well as other great activities.“Children from any school are welcome and our before and after school programme caters for Silverdale students as well.”Rechelle says she loves the business environment where she is not only educating and inspiring the children, but also building a staff of leaders.“Our team really cares about the children who are in our care. Parents know they can trust us. Kids feel safe and happy.”

n I N T R O D U C I N G n I N T R O D U C I N G

Zoomals Skids KingswayA new out of school care service has opened on the Hibiscus Coast, which offers parents the opportunity to have their children cared for in a safe and fun environment.Skids Kingsway owner, Rechelle McNair, makes the point that her programme is not a babysitting service.“We have structured activities every day which are designed to inspire and educate,” she says. “We all know it takes a village to raise our children and here at Skids Kingsway we are part of that village.”Born in Texas, Rechelle moved to the Coast in 1992 when she married a local boy, Brett. Together, they have two teenage children.Her passion for kids and her after school care programme is evident. Activities including arts and craft, food technology, performing arts, sports and games and good old fashioned fun, all based around themes children love, are on offer every week. Children also get freshly cooked breakfasts and afternoon teas.“It’s ‘real food’. Our Skids children get good healthy, wholesome meals.” Rechelle is already well-known in the community for her work over the past seven years at Baldry and Sanford. Last year she took the leap to open her first Skids in Sunnynook.“I was looking for a business that ticked all the boxes.” Rechelle has more than 20 years’

Rechelle McNair

A novel approach to entertaining children has been set-up on the Coast by Kylie Poulton.During a recent trip to Australia, Kylie was introduced to ride-on cuddly electronic animals.“I had never seen anything like them and I instantly knew we needed these on the Coast,” she says. “We don’t have a lot of activities for children up here and these are so different I thought they would be a great addition.”With help from family and friends, she imported 12 electronic animals. “Importing them in was a huge learning curve and it took three months but it was worth it. It was very exciting when they finally arrived.”Zoomals range of animals include an elephant, leopard, octopus, dinosaurs including a T-Rex and a lion. Although they are large, Kylie says they move at a safe speed.“Children love them and there is something infectious about seeing such happy faces.”Kylie plans to show her zoo animals

at shopping malls, which is where the name Zoomals came from. “We have had them at The Plaza and Pakuranga mall, and what’s really exciting is locals are asking to hire them for birthday parties and schools are starting to book them for their galas and discos.” Kylie works locally as a business manager and is working Zoomals as a weekend business at this stage. “It’s funny that although the animals are primarily for children, adults can ride them as well. Sometimes, the adults are more excited than the children.”

Musical mayhemWestend to Broadway is a new Centrestage holiday programme aimed at 7–11-year-olds. Tutor Alexandra McKellar, a graduate of the National Academy of Singing and Dramatic Art, has run the programme for four years in Auckland and is bringing it to Centrestage Theatre in Orewa for the first time. Over three, full on days, participants act, sing and dance some of the best known musical numbers and at the end present a showcase for family and friends. The holiday programme runs from July 18–20, 9am – 3pm. Info: phone 426 7282 or email manager@centrestagetheatre.co.nz

Kylie Poulton

School holidays, July 11–25 July 6, 2016 | Hibiscusmatters | 19

Performing for an audience of more than 2000 people at the historic Civic Theatre is something that three young local actors are excited and nervous about.Chloe Hunt, Nicole Wilson and Alice Hanson have all been involved in Centrestage Theatre and knew each other before being cast in lead roles for the National Youth Theatre’s production of High School Musical.The show, which takes place this week (July 8 and 9) combines High School Musical and its sequel, High School Musical 2, and marks 10 years since the release of the original on the Disney Channel.Theatre has played a big part in all the girls’ lives from a young age. Nicole, now aged 15, from Orewa, remembers starting classes at Centrestage as a shy seven-year-old. “I would always sing around the house, but was very shy and Centrestage helped me get out of my box to perform,” she says.Chloe, 19, from Stanmore Bay discovered the magic of theatre when she saw Cats in London’s West End on her fourth birthday. “I got to go on stage because it was my birthday; that was the start of my passion for theatre,” Chloe says.And for Alice, 15, her role as Sharpay brings back her first ever performance, which was also in a National Youth Theatre production of High School

Three Coast actors take the stage at Auckland’s Civic Theatre this week, playing lead roles in a new production of High School Musical. From left, Chloe Hunt (Mrs Darbus), Alice Hanson (Sharpay) and Nicole Wilson (Taylor).

Local teens star in High School Musical

Musical, when she was seven.With 200 in the cast of the current show, aged 7–21, and the performance an hour and a half long, Chloe says a lot of hard work and rehearsal time is required. Along with mastering American accents, the girls all have a lot of lines and song and dance routines to learn.The three of them wouldn’t have it any other way. “It’s a form of escapism – and I feel most at home on stage,” Chloe says. “There’s nothing else I’d rather do.”

School holidays, July 11–25| Hibiscusmatters | July 6, 201620

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Kevin Cronin says he could have stayed at Huapai District School, where he’s been happily ensconced as principal for nine years, for many more years – perhaps even until retirement.Instead Kevin, who is in his 50s, applied to be principal of Whangaparaoa School, because he says he is always looking to keep things fresh and find a new challenge.The school will welcome him officially with a powhiri this week, on July 7, and he takes up the role next term.He has had several opportunities for a sneak preview of what lies in store, including attending last summer’s Whangaparaoa School gala.“A strong community spirit and lovely feel came through at the gala,” he says. “There were a lot of happy children and support from parents and staff. I thought ‘wow, this would be a great school to be involved with’.”Kevin was principal at Pirongia School in the Waikato before moving to Huapai and says one thing that he believes comes though in his 15 years as a principal is that he puts children at the heart of thinking and decision-making.His vision for Huapai District School includes: “to engage, extend and empower learners”.“We have to ask all the time if we’re doing the best we can to provide a curriculum and opportunities that result in well rounded citizens,” Kevin says. “The community, staff and students need to think about what we value and then reinforce those values,” he says. “It fits with Whangaparaoa’s motto of ‘Be the best you can be’.”

Welcome mat out for new Whangaparaoa principal

He prefers a hands-on approach and says that being in the classroom, whether teaching (as he does at Huapai) or supporting teachers, is important.Sport – any type of sport – is a big part of his life and this includes experience as a PE teacher. However, he says providing a range of opportunities, including arts and cultural ones, enables every child to find his or her own passion and develop to their potential.Huapai is growing fast, with a new school projected to open there in 2019, so roll pressure (also a factor at Whangaparaoa) is nothing new. “It’s nice to be in an area that’s growing. It can be a real positive as long as the buildings and environment are at a high standard. It can leave you lots of opportunities.”While Kevin will no doubt put his own stamp on the role, he says he’s there to learn.“I’m sure there’s a lot to be gained and learned from what’s already been put in place before me,” he says. “I’m so excited – this is a wonderful opportunity.”

Kevin Cronin steps into the Principal’s role at Whangaparaoa Primary next term.

Strut your stuffThe Plaza Runway Show, on July 23, at 1pm will feature fashion from Plaza retailers – as well as a competition for children with vouchers and spot prizes up for grabs. The Trash to Fash category is for three to 10-year-olds who can create anything wearable from recycled materials. Children aged 10 years and over can enter Rags to Riches – grab a bag of items from NZ Sale and create a brand new outfit. Register by July 18 by emailing manager@the-plaza.co.nz

School holidays, July 11–25 July 6, 2016 | Hibiscusmatters | 21

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Drama classes are normally filled with youngsters and teenagers, but one that started at Centrestage Theatre in Orewa recently is designed to give adults a chance to unlock their performance potential.For three of the women who are currently attending the class, it’s been a chance to joyously step out of their comfort zone.Kim DuFresne says she would have loved a career on the stage, but “life intervened”. While enquiring about classes for her daughter at Centrestage she discovered there was an adult class on offer. After weeks of instruction from teacher Alex McKellar, she recently auditioned for the theatre’s production of Calendar Girls and got the part.Amira McMurray and Christine Wrightson tell a similar story of their youthful dreams of the theatre that

were put aside once they left school.Amira says what gave her the shove she needed to take up the classes was a breast cancer diagnosis at the end of last year. “I looked at my bucket list, and drama classes were on it,” she says.Christine says her children are older now, giving her more time to do something for herself. That she chose drama classes came as no surprise to her family. “When I told the children, they rolled their eyes because I’m always singing and dancing at home,” she says.There is a lot of laughter at the weekly class as the women learn the moves to All that Jazz and teacher Alex says it builds confidence for people who want to get back into live performances. She says she is hoping that men will take up the opportunity to come to the classes too. “All the students could end up in one of Centrestage’s big musicals,” she says.

Taking up drama classes is a long-held dream for mothers, from left, Amira McMurray, Kim DuFresne and Christine Wrightson.

Take the stage at any age

School holidays, July 11–25| Hibiscusmatters | July 6, 201622

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More than 400 schools and businesses around the country registered to take part in the Child Cancer Foundation’s very first Wig Wednesday fundraiser, on June 22. Among the enthusiastic wig wearers were the students, teachers and staff of local schools, including Orewa Primary and Dairy Flat School. Brightly coloured and wild and woolly wigs added a fun element to the school day and the gold coin donations came in thick and fast: Dairy Flat School raised more than $380, and Orewa Primary $345 for the cause.The Child Cancer Foundation is a charitable organisation that offers emotional, financial and practical

Dairy Flat School’s Tamsin and Charlotte Lockie.

Heads held high for new cancer fundraiser

Whangaparaoa Baptist Community Kindergarten held its first Whanau Evening celebrating Matariki and the diverse cultures within its families, on June 24. About 100 people attended and took part in craft activities such as creating a wooden frame for their family photo, weaving and kite bag decorating. Some of the children presented a play about ‘How the Kiwi lost its wings,’ based on a Maori legend. The group shared a hangi meal together, which was put together by whanau. Kindergarten administrator Sharon Read says it was a wonderful celebration and highlights the centre’s focus on children and their families. Pictured are Riley O’Connor and his mum, Haley-Ann Pope, at the frame making table.

support to help reduce the impact of cancer, strengthen the family unit and help achieve the best possible outcome for children with cancer.At any given time it is assisting more than 500 families nationwide.

Orewa Primary’s Room 14 students and teachers get into the spirit of Wig Wednesday fundraising.

School holidays, July 11–25 July 6, 2016 | Hibiscusmatters | 23

Kineecs Kids and Youth is a specialised service uelising child-specific resources to diagnose, treat and provide advice to children who are heavily

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Good teachers are worth their weight in gold, and there seem to be plenty of them around – there were just under 300 nominations for this year’s ASG National Excellence in Teaching Awards. Just 20 winners were selected, and one of them was music teacher Ann Stevens of Orewa College. She was presented with her award on June 22. Ann was acknowledged for working to create an atmosphere of enthusiasm and excitement about making music.

As a result, students are passionate about performing and they share a desire to be part of the music groups. ASG NEiTA chief executive John Velegrinis says community recognition is very powerful and Mrs Stevens should be proud of the impact she making at the grassroots level and beyond “Communities love being engaged in education and in some cases, they can be the richest educational resources. So I congratulate Ms Stevens who is really making a difference in her community through education,” he said.

Orewa College head of music Ann Stevens, left, with

principal Kate Shevland.

Excellent teaching rewarded

Big friendly funOrewa Library has a wide range of options for keeping the young ones entertained these school holidays. These include making giant furniture on July 11 to celebrate the new BFG movie’s release, Human Pac Man, on July 12 and readings from Roald Dahl’s books and poems, on July 14. For more information, visit the library in Moana Ave, Orewa.