Arts at James Hargest College

29/08/2026

The Southland Otago Provincial Brass Band Contest was held last weekend in Dunedin. Hemi Hākena was well represented in both bands with some outstanding results. Congratulations to Charlie K (1st Under 13 Air Varie), Lachie C (3rd Under 19 Air Varie), Jamie M. (1st Under 16 Air Varie and Slow Melody), Amelia W. (2nd Under 16 Slow Melody) and Daniel L. (1st Under 13 Slow Melody). Kaiako Megan Gooding also had some fantastic results 3rd Championship Air Varie, 2nd Premiere Slow Melody, and 3rd Open Duet with her sister Nina. Ka rawe!

24/08/2026

Ka rawe to all our James Hargest ākonga who participated in Dance NZMade yesterday at the Civic Theatre. Special mention to the following students who won awards:

Year 7 Solos
1st Elizabeth Chong
2nd Sophie Rankin

Year 8 Solos
2nd Abigail Rankin

Year 7&8 Duos
2nd Elizabeth Chong & Maci Cousins
3rd Thea Randall & Libby Hodges

Year 10 Solos
1st Johran Dillinger-Waldron
2nd Liam Templeton

Year 9&10 Duos/Trios
1st Liam & Johran (a piece they choreographed themselves to “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother”)

Year 11 Solos
2nd Tamzyn Dillinger

Year 13 Solos
1st Tilly McDonald

Overall duo/trio champions
Liam & Johran

Golden Tickets
(invitation only showcase in Palmerston North in January. Students learn fast-paced choreography workshops, and compete in live elimination auditions to win cash prizes for future dance training)

Abigail Rankin
Scarlet Robson
Liam Templeton
Johran Dillinger- Waldron

She Shines On Awards
(Stand out performers from workshops and the competition are nominated to take part in nationals in Palmerston North, sponsored by She Shines On. The top national winner wins a fully sponsored Los Angeles Dance Tour)

Liam Templeton
Johran Dillinger- Waldron
Tamzyn Dillinger
Sophie Purdon
Elizabeth Chong
Abigail Rankin

NZ School of Dance Invitation Award
Liam Templeton

24/08/2026

Congratulations to Year 11 ākonga Abigail who won the Fiordland Matariki Star Search in the weekend. What a fantastic achievement!!!

17/08/2026

We are excited to announce that our 2027 Major Production will be "Bright Star" - the gorgeous Bluegrass musical written by Steve Martin and Eddie Brickell. Auditions will be in Term 4 with the show performances at the end of Term 1, 2027. This is a truly beautiful musical that has it all - a heartwarming story, lots of laughs, drama, and catchy songs. Jump on Spotify and have a listen!

16/08/2026

Hēmi Hākena was well represented at the Southland Creative Arts Awards held last night. Year 13 students Lara and Olivia were both finalists in the Emerging Talent Award, recognising the remarkable achievements and contributions of these two young women to the local music scene, Sue Donkin (who taught Music at the Junior Campus for 14 years) and Maxine Treweek (a former HOD Music and now itinerant vocal teacher) were both finalists in the Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of the incredible impact both had on the lives of countless musicians, and Drama HOD Pip's collective theatre group Majestic Frog was a finalist in the Creative Excellence Award. Our itinerant percussion teacher Trinity Waddell was also a finalist in the Leadership in the Arts Award. It was a fantastic evening celebrating the Arts in Southland.

10/08/2026

Chookas to the cast and crew of the Year 7 and 8 Production "Grossbusters" which opens tonight at 7pm in the James Hargest College Senior Campus school hall. Tickets are $10 for students and $15 for adults and there are two performance, tonight and Wednesday. We can't wait to see the show!

30/07/2026

24/07/2026

Liam Templeton, who is in Year 10 at James Hargest College, is a Level 5 Scholar at the NZ School of Dance studying Classical Ballet which means many trips to Wellington. Please head along to the Riff tomorrow night to support his fundraiser if you can!

03/07/2026

Congratulations to Year 13 ākonga Lachlan who has been selected for the National Secondary Schools Brass Band. Well done Lachie!

01/07/2026

Announcing the cast of our Year 9 and 10 production! We know this fabulous group of rangatahi are going to be amazing. Show dates are Monday October 19 through to Wednesday October 21st