Spicing up learning with Asia NZ

On Friday 26 May, Golden Bay High School (GBHS) hosted three volunteers from the Asia New Zealand Foundation. The non-profit organisation aims to provide experiences to help New Zealanders build their Asian knowledge, skills, and connections.

This term’s theme was Indian Cultural Expression, encompassing rangoli art design, Bharatanatyam dance, and Indian cooking. Years 7 and 8 students split into three groups and worked simultaneously with their Indian volunteer tutors.

Venini Tindling, GBHS English teacher, applied for the funding from the Arasan NZ Foundation Trust.

“The goal is very much about learning about Asia and the Indian culture,” she said.

Students have been studying aspects of India this term in preparation for this cultural immersion experience.

Yasodha Kishorkumar (Yaso) led the vegetarian korma curry cooking class in the school’s hospitality room.

“As long as they learn something, it will be good – it’s good to see a lot of kids,” she commented.

Olive Markham enjoyed the experience. “It was really good; except we accidentally undercooked our veggies… just the potatoes. They were quite hard. We tried her [Yaso] one and it was really yummy.”

In the gymnasium teaching space, another group was learning about the intricacies of Bharatanatyam, classical dance. Watching a video of a fusion contemporary and classical Indian dance, tutor Carthika Luxmanan told the children, “You can go away and pick any music you like and have a play with how you want to express yourself, using that music.”

She demonstrated flower, mountain, water, and bird movements, and those for the Navarasa (emotions).

Outside on the quadrant, volunteer Lohitha Putha oversaw groups of three to four students creating rangoli art designs. Using the traditional coloured powders, maize starch, salt, and food colouring, the mandala-type images adorned the tarmac beautifully.

“Rangoli art is fun,” said Evan Geline.

Whilst keeping a watchful eye, Lohitha explained that the volunteers are happy to share aspects of their rich and vibrant culture. She and Carthika flew from Dunedin, where the two

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PHONE friends attend the same dance school. All flights were paid by Asia NZ.

After the day’s immersion, Malachi Beckert said his favourite activity was the rangoli art. “Making the designs was fun and I found it cool using crushed up chalk to create the design.”

The whole day was “a great experience” for Maggie Quinn. “We learned heaps about the culture and heritage of India. It was so much fun.”

Later this year, South Korea will be the focus of learning for these students, encompassing another visit from Asia NZ volunteers.