JUST GENTLEMEN

Three mediums, three signature styles and three gentlemen for the month of June at Te Huanui. ‘Just Gentlemen’ brings together photographs by Kevin Clarke, paintings by Andrew Dickison and woodwork by Ben Groters, highlighting each unique perspective on New Zealand. The Exhibition opens from 6pm Friday, May 26th and runs until Thursday, June 29th. Everyone is welcome to attend the opening, drinks and nibbles will be provided.

Kevin Clarke loves to teach and pass on his knowledge and passion for photography. He is often exhibiting his work and being invited as a keynote speaker at conferences and workshops worldwide. His work portfolio covers commercial, landscape and sporting photography projects around the world. Photography has always been his passion, and the gift of sharing a love of the landscape is priceless to him.

Andrew Dickison is influenced by early abstract artists such as Jackson Pollock , Klimt , Kandinsky and New Zealander John Drawbridge. He likes working in a variety of mediums, and enjoys the freedom of abstract expressionism, often using a variety of homemade implements and tools to create his own style and add fine detail to his work.

Some of his most recent works are inspired by New Zealand landscapes and wildlife, in a minimal and contemporary style.

Ben Groters was born and raised locally. He has a strong background in agriculture and a passion for the outdoors. Ben has spent time travelling the world in various jobs, sketching in travel diaries as he went. After studying art at Darfield High School, Ben worked mostly with fine-tipped black ink pens to create freehand landscapes, often imagery with much detail and contrast set in moments of relative calm. His current work with wood initially came about in the climate of Covid Lockdowns, which has led to creations that show a similar contrast as black and white drawings in their sharp-edged shapes made from recycled timber or rescued firewood, which form tributes to animals that make New Zealand the place it is today.

See advertisement in this issue for further details.

SELWYN SCHOOLS’ RUGBY TEAM

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“My favourite part of being involved in the Team is the honour that comes with playing in one of the most prestigious rugby competitions in the world for my age. There is something awesome about knowing you will be playing against, and possibly alongside, future international rugby players,” commented Mason.

“Many people inspire me to play rugby to the best of my ability, but the two main groups are, and will always be, my family and friends. They are all very supportive and encourage me to do my best every-time I put my boots on.

“I encourage anyone who wants to give rugby a good crack to train and trail for the Selwyn Schools Combined Squad. It requires a lot of commitment and courage, but if you are willing to push through the pain, you will learn so much from the experienced players and coaches in this environment.

“The Team has built an environment to provide players with all the skills necessary to become a professional. If this is something you truly want to do, coming from the rural community, I believe this is the best way to achieve it. Will Gualter showed this when he made it into the Crusaders from the Selwyn Schools Combined 1st XV Team. Since then there has been a few others that have been named in the Junior Crusaders Squad,” Mason explained.

“I plan to continue playing rugby next year, whether that be in town playing Metro Colts or back kitted up in the blue and gold of West Melton. My ultimate goal is to receive a Rugby Scholarship to the University of Canterbury and to play in their Colts team.

“I believe the key to becoming a successful rugby player is a lot of passion and hard work. You have to have the passion when the going gets tough, and when you've just been thrashed at training, to want to get up and do it all again tomorrow purely because of your love for the sport. Passion and hard work will always beat natural talent,” Mason concluded.

At this stage of the season, the Team has won against St Andrew’s College and narrowly lost to Christ College.

This Saturday the team come up against Shirley Boy’s High School at Shirley, kicking off at 1pm. The team at the Malvern News wish them both the best for the rest of the season as well as their future endeavours.

EDUCARE

Opening Hours

7:30am - 5pm

12-16 South Tce, Darfield Spaces available for 4 Year Kindergarten from 1st May

• Educare Ph 318 7943

• 3 Year Ph 318 7948

• 4 Year Ph 318 8843

• Low back, neck, sciatic pain

• Work related injuries

• Post surgery treatment and rehabilitation

• All sports injuries and soft tissue strains

• Joint sprains and strains, such as tennis elbow, shoulder and knee problems.

48 South Tce, Darfield 7510

Ph (03) 318 8744 office@darfieldphysio.co.nz

Kirwee Tree House

In March, Kirwee Tree House Learning Centre appointed a new Centre Manager, Camille Cuff , as previous Centre Manager, Kendall Hall left to have her baby and move to Wellington. Originally from Tauranga, Camille moved to Selwyn for the lifestyle, as she is an avid horse rider. Camille is a highly experienced teacher and has loads of managerial experience, having been a key member of a large home-based franchising company where Camille looked after all operations for the region and multiple businesses. The Centre received amazing support from Fonterra, enabling them to fundraise for their beautiful whare, which is now built and being enjoyed in their garden. The children and teachers love this new structure. Thanks, Fonterra! Recently, Kirwee Tree House celebrated Mother’s Day and hosted a pink ribbon afternoon tea. They had a fantastic turnout and are very proud to support this great cause. Their gardening programme with Anita Croft from Growing Kiwi Gardeners is really expanding and starting to become established. All the winter vegetables for Matariki are planted, and the children love having the garden component woven into the curriculum. Chef, Michelle Hill, has been working hard on re-jigging the menu for winter. She always chooses seasonal and local produce, as well as what is grown at the Centre. The children are excited to see some lovely warm additions, like warm porridge with compote and hearty soups!

Kirwee Tree House has a couple of spaces coming available over the next few months as some gorgeous five years olds make their big step into school. Spaces are also coming available in the Nursery as some toddler’s transition to the kowhai room. The Centre is a modern purpose -built learning centre located in the heart of Kirwee. They are a fully catered centre meaning that you only need to drop of your child with a change of clothes. The Centre provides meals, nappies and wipes.

“Feedback from Kirwee Model School is that our preschoolers are brave and excited as they are already familiar with the School, the environment and the teachers due to our transition to school programme,” commented Kirwee Tree House Learning Centre Director, Jessica Boyes