School of Creativity Opens Its Doors in Manukau

School of Creativity Opens Its Doors in Manukau

Warehouse Stationery has partnered with Ngā Rangatahi Toa to help kit out their first ever classroom space at Manukau Institute of Technology, which launches today.

Ngā Rangatahi Toa (NRT) is an organisation, headed up by alternative education advocate Sarah Longbottom, that supports youth who have been excluded from mainstream school. NRT helps the young people get themselves back on track by providing an alternative education focused on creativity.

Warehouse Stationery has kitted out the classroom with technology and stationery that will be used during the students’ transformation back into work or study.

Ngā Rangatahi Toa Executive Director Sarah Longbottom says the classroom is the first step in its five year goal of establishing the NRT School of Creativity as a mainstream school.

“Our vision is for young people to transform their own lives through education and creativity. Our projects inspire a sense of purpose in those who others have given up on. Our first classroom will be a place that we hope will instil pride and become their home of learning. One day, we hope it will be recognised as a mainstream school,” says Sarah.

Warehouse Stationery CEO Pejman Okhovat says Warehouse Stationery has been really impressed with how NRT uses creativity to help youth transition back into study or work by building their self-confidence.

“We also value creativity at Warehouse Stationery and wanted to make sure the students had the resources they need to embark on their creative journey,” says Mr Okhovat.

Ten young people aged 14 and 15 will start the first of the eight week intensive creative arts programmes today. During the eight weeks they will work with top artist-mentors to explore issues of social justice and personal development through music, visual arts, and performance art. The students will then be guided through the process of creating their own works for presentation, and will also be supported to share their new knowledge and creative process with peers.

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