Active As builds belonging at Tawa College
Active As builds belonging at Tawa College
Now a Year 13 student at Tawa College, Daniel Chin remembers that as a junior, he was one of the few students being active outside during breaktime.
“Everyone would hide inside the classroom and in the hallways on their technology,” he says.
Fast forward to now, and the impact of Active As has led to a noticeable shift in the physical activity culture at the Wellington school. The nationwide programme supports secondary schools and wharekura to provide positive and inclusive active recreation and sport opportunities for their students.
“Now, when I go round the school with the megaphone to direct people to our lunchtime activities, I’ve noticed a huge increase in people already outside playing sports and games,” Daniel says.
The school’s Voice of Rangatahi survey, conducted by Sport NZ, backs this up. The latest data showed a significant increase in student participation in physical activities. In 2024, 43% of students were involved in physical activities during breaks or lunchtimes, up from 28% in 2023.
In addition to increasing physical activity levels, the school’s Active As programme has encouraged stronger relationships across year levels, motivated less-active students to try new activities and created leadership opportunities.
Placing the voice of rangatahi at the heart of its approach has been key to the school’s success and the student-led Active As Prefect Group plays a central role in this.
Daniel, a founding member of the group, meets weekly with his peers and the Active As facilitator Lincoln Rawles to discuss, plan and reflect on initiatives. Using the insights, including those from the Voice of Rangatahi survey, they ensure their plans align with the needs and wants of students. While Lincoln provides guidance, the students take the lead in driving the initiatives.
The new gear shed has proven to be a hit. Here students set up a game of giant Jenga.
Daniel emphasises that involving students in decisions that affect them is important.
“At the end of the day it’s us, the students that are being impacted by these decisions. We know what we will enjoy and what will be popular. It also creates more leadership opportunities that we can grow into,” he says.
The Active As Prefect Group leads lunchtime sessions twice a week with the entire school, featuring activities like jumbo ball, capture the flag and dance events.
They also manage the new gear shed, strategically placed apart from the PE department to attract foot traffic. Open every lunchtime, the shed is stocked with a variety of equipment from hula hoops to football goals and pickleball nets.
Lincoln says the gear shed has been a huge success, with students lining up every lunchtime and a multi-year-level football game becoming a regular event.
“The activity days and the gear shed provide opportunities to connect with each other, organise play, develop social skills and release energy,” he says.
Lincoln adds that the play-friendly environment has not only reduced anti-social behaviour but also supported students adapt to the school’s no-phone policy.
Lincoln shares feedback from a student, saying, ‘Well you have taken away our phone and you are lending out sport equipment. That seems like a good deal.”
Reflecting on what Active As has meant for his school, Daniel says he has realised the importance of having opportunities to be active alongside his peers.
“The main thing I’ve learnt is that it’s a way to connect and bond with students. No matter your skill level, you can enjoy and have a good time getting active. Just by seeing the large variety of different students spread around the school getting involved in physical activity is awesome. It seems like students have found a sense of belonging.”
Read Tawa College senior Daniel Chin’s story in his own words here.
