The first cohort of Sacred Heart College rangatahi to take part in the Pūhoro STEMM programme have now graduated, following a three-year journey.

Georgia Dallas (Ngāi Tahu), Te Amokura Watson (Ngāti Kahungunu, Tūhoe), Anna Mildon (Ngāti Kahungunu), and Isabella Davis (Ngāi Tahu) joined the national programme as Year 11 students back in 2021 – the very first year it became available in Te Matau-a-Māui, Hawke’s Bay. 

In October, the four students and their whānau took part in a very special graduation ceremony for Pūhoro Year 13 students from secondary schools across the region. 

Launched in 2016, Pūhoro was developed to increase engagement of Māori in STEM-related subjects and career pathways, with the aim of increasing low Māori representation in science and technology industries in Aotearoa.

Pūhoro STEMM seeks to achieve this by working directly with secondary students and their whānau and providing weekly group sessions at school, outside of class time, alternating between mentoring (including career exposure) and academic support or extension. 

STEMM stands for Science (Pūtaiao), Technology (Hangarau), Engineering (Pūkaha), and Mathematics (Pāngarau), together with Mātauranga Māori.  

Georgia says the programme was “really beneficial” for her. 

“It was something that I didn’t expect would be so helpful. All the girls who have been involved have loved it so much.” 

Isabella agrees.

“It really has expanded my horizons. Over the past few years, we’ve been given a lot of opportunities with tutorials and wānanga days, which introduced different career paths and different things to spark our interest, science-wise and STEMM-wise.” 

For Isabella, it also allowed her to learn more about her Māori culture. 

“It’s been a really good way for me to understand and learn about that side because I never was brought up in a household with very much culture. Now, I love more of that part of myself than I kind of did before because I just wasn't as open to it, I suppose.”

Pūhoro STEMM Coordinator Theresa Cowen, also Head of Science, congratulated the students. 

“Well done to all Pūhoro students for their participation and commitment this year, and a big thank you to the Pūhoro team and Sacred Heart staff for their support of this opportunity at our school.” 

Mrs Cowen says it has been a positive experience and one they intend to build on. 

Last year, a record 24 senior Sacred Heart students took part, led by a team of three Pūhoro kaihautū. In a happy coincidence, one of the kaihautū - Te Maari MacGregor - is a past pupil of Sacred Heart. 

“Thanks to growing awareness among students and whānau, and ongoing support from Pūhoro and Sacred Heart staff, 2024 looks to be the biggest year yet, with almost 30 students set to take part in this programme.”  

Article added: Wednesday 06 March 2024