The Arts

“Te toi whakairo, ka ihiihi, ka wehiwehi, ka aweawe te ao katoa.”
Artistic expression inspires, moves, and transforms the world.

At Little River School, we believe that the arts are essential to a rich and meaningful education. The arts give our tamariki powerful ways to express themselves, explore their identity, and celebrate the unique culture of Aotearoa New Zealand. Our rural setting, vibrant community, and connection to te ao Māori provide rich inspiration for creative learning.

We offer opportunities for students to participate in all four arts disciplines:

• Dance – exploring movement to tell stories, celebrate cultural events, and perform with confidence
• Drama – building imagination and empathy through role-play, performance, and storytelling
• Music – Sound Arts – learning rhythm, beat, and melody, and creating music that connects us
• Visual Arts – using a wide range of media to explore ideas, emotions, and cultural connections

The arts are woven throughout our learning programmes and feature strongly in our school events — from biennial school productions to Matariki celebrations, art displays, and kapa haka. Students are encouraged to be creative thinkers and confident performers, developing both technical skills and artistic voice.

Through the arts, tamariki at Little River School learn to communicate, collaborate, and reflect — preparing them for a lifetime of expression, identity, and innovation.