Blankets to Kākahu: Developing ideas for our blankets as artworks project.

We have hit the ground running in the Māhutonga Matariki Whānau, ready to push on and deepen our learning. One of the big projects which you are no doubt familiar with by now is the intention to develop balnkets as artworks for aution later in the year. Below are some of the blankets we will be using.

This 'wraps up' our learning connected to the history of wool in Aotearoa New Zealand but now introduces new elements including the obvious concept design processes which we concluded the last term with (see the mood boards inlast blog post. Perhaps most importantly of all, this project is an opportunity for our students to engage with a meaningful action which will benefit others. This is the Positive Purpose domain of our Flourish model.

It is well known that having a sense of Positive Purpose is beneficial for wellbeing. We feel it is worthwhile giving our students opportunities to experience making positive contributions to others. We have engaged in conversations with the Wellington City Mission about the idea of an online auction of the works later in the year. It would be great to get a few of our parents/grandparents involved also so the work is collaborative and benefitting the wider community. A Mayo Clinic article(March 15 2023) discusses the benefits of Positive Purpose, supporting our thinking.