About this Short Film
He Waka Eke Noa, a 2018 short from Waitara High School (New Zealand), offers a warm, observant look at school life and group activities among young people with diverse needs. The film reflects themes of ADHD, autism, cognitive processing and intellectual disability, physical disability and wheelchair use, without assuming a single story. Showing moments of participation, friendship and everyday achievement, it sits comfortably within the Focus on Ability International Short Film Festival’s programme. A concise, respectful piece, it will appeal to educators, families and audiences who value honest, youth-centred portrayals of ability and inclusion.
Film Details
Film Transcript
No transcript is available for this film.
Filmmaker
Waitara High School is the filmmaker behind this entry. See every Focus on Ability entry from Waitara High School.
What a great snapshot of life at a very supportive and inclusive school for our young ones
I'm so impressed with this clip you've all done an incredible job Well done each and every one of you and I hope your all really proud of uourselves cos I certainly am. Kia kaha kia maia kia manawanui kia ora koutou katoa.
You guys are amazing I see how you communicate with each other while on the different experiences you have. You are always thoughtful of each other and give support where needed. I enjoy the times when you come gardening and watching you all develop as young people.
A celebration of who we are what we can do and what makes us awesome this film is an exploration of what special education actually means. It is a declaration of who we are and what makes every single one of us special in our own awesome way. A lesson that the rest of the world should embrace.The intent of our documentary is to show all the great things our students with disabilities can do. It is intended that peoples perceptions of disabilities will change so that they celebrate and embrace the exceptional abilities of these special students. This is a celebration of what our kids achieve every single day - the big things and the small things.httpswww.focusonability.com.auFOAfilmsHe_Waka_Eke_Noa_1466.html We are a group of students aged 13 to 20 from Waitara High School Taranaki New Zealand. We all have medical physical and learning difficulties and most of us have multiple challenges every day. We are resilient in everything we do and we know we can succeed in everything we do. At Waitara High School we belong to one big whanau who we can always rely on.
I think waitara high school has come along way and doing a great job you guys rock
Awesome work team. So proud to see our ex-Tikorangi students being out there and confident. Oh how far you have come and will continue to go
Wow Waitara High what a fantastic way to honour difference and demonstrate success in action. Ka rawe Excellent effort. Matua Tiaki
Wonderful to watch. Its great that these students are given these opportunities and experiences to build their confidence. Well done Waitara High School.
What a awesome group of young adults.
Love this video so proud of my fellow school mates
Awesome school celebrating it's brave beautiful kids. Love it
Well Done to the Waitara High School for the Clip to show that Even the Disabled can achieve anything by teaching them until it is time for them to venture out once they leave school....I know a couple of the Teenagers in the Clip as well as seen them at the Aquatic Centre one time Enjoying themselves - to Learn while having fun is what its about team effort as a whole. Congratulations