Tuesday at One Tree Hill College.

Dianna Rhodes was delighted to present 12 of the 43 members of the Peka Totara Girls’ Choir, accompanied by Raewyn Seeto on the keyboard, opening with a karakia from the West Coast of the South Island Whakataka Te Hou. Year 10 student Chloe took over the keyboard to play popular piece Popcorn by a Japanese composer, then Head Chorister Emmanuel sang New York, New York before the choir performed Phantom of the Opera’s  most poignant song Wishing you were somehow here again.

Dianna then prepped Rotarians for a duet with the choir – where they sang iconic verses from Swing Low, Sweet Chariot, then we came in with the chorus. Owen Barwood concluded this aspect of breakfast, by noting how former HOD Music John Scott had established the tradition of students performing to Rotary gatherings – and the great positives of maintaining this practice.

Following the musicians, we were treated to another example of student creativity – baking from year 13 student Alberto Tungal, a relatively new arrival from the Philippines, recently recognised as the top baker at MIT, where he had been studying in the Vocational Pathways programme. VP teacher Ann Crawford explained how this programme allows students to split their time between high school and tertiary opportunities – noting that while Alberto could access MIT at no cost this year when still attending school, he would have to be living in NZ for 3 years before being eligible for a student loan, so personal fundraising is a priority for him, as he prepares to study full-time at MIT next year. 

Alberto told us how his Mum is an overseas worker and his Aunty is also NZ-based, so while his father remains home in the poor area of the upper region of the Mindano area of the Philippines, Alberto was able to access the big opportunity for learning and growth in NZ. Once qualified, Alberto aims to take a next step of becoming a sous chef on a cruise ship. Rotarians were then invited to sample a range of Alberto’s festive baked goods. He will be happy to take orders for delivery - at our Christmas breakfast on Tuesday December 2 or make some other suitable arrangement. Price list to come.