Avalon Intermediate School

“Is this where the magic happens?” a young voice whispered, eyes wide with awe, standing before Avalon Intermediate School. Avalon Intermediate School sits proudly on High Street. It’s a place where “working as one so we all succeed” isn’t just a motto, it’s a way of life. The school embraces the Maori values of manaakitanga (kindness, generosity, support) and whanaungatanga (relationships, sense of belonging), nurturing the potential within each student. In 2015, Avalon Intermediate School became a hub of innovation. Victoria University’s School of Engineering and Computer Science chose this decile 2 school for a special pilot program. They brought cutting-edge technology to students who rarely ventured beyond the Hutt Valley. For ten weeks, the school hall transformed into a tech wonderland. Students built powerful paper darts, delving into the science of aerodynamics. They cracked codes, unraveling the mysteries of encryption. Small, buzzing Bristlebots, brought to life by the students’ own hands, zipped across the floor. Kids who had never seen technology beyond their immediate surroundings suddenly found themselves immersed in virtual reality. They rode virtual rollercoasters with the Oculus Rift, their laughter and cheers echoing through the hall. They explored mixed reality with Google Cardboard, merging the real world with the virtual. They controlled dancing avatars on screen, their movements mirrored by their digital counterparts. The program aimed to spark an early interest in STEM fields, encouraging these young minds to consider university. The impact was undeniable. Even after the bell rang, students lingered, their excitement palpable. One student, Trace Hohipa, found his passion in Scratch programming, a world where he could create and explore without limits. Avalon Intermediate School, a place where technology and tradition intertwine, empowering students to achieve success in all its forms.