Displaying items by tag: culture

Looking back at 2014, all I can think about is how lucky I have been. I feel so inspired by the generosity that was shown to me by so many amazing people and that took me on the journey of a lifetime. I have developed a great love for remembrance and history and have thoroughly enjoyed participating in French culture, language, and history. The Young Ambassadors tour really made me connect authentically with the spirit of those who served a century ago. Being there, where they were. Where they...

Wow! it is really strange to think that it is already 2015 and that this time last year we were all finding out about being accepted into the young ambassadors and that we would be going to France. This opportunity was the absolute highlight of my 2014 and has given me some incredible memories and friends. Before we left I was nervous that the trip would be difficult with clashing personalities and being in each others company 24/7. I really needn't have worried, this trip and the programme has...

2014 was a whirlwind of a year for many reasons, but none so significant as being part of the Shared Histories project as a Young Ambassador.  This role took me to many places both literally and metaphorically that I never dreamed I would be able to experience in my last year of high school.  Though the experience of being in France and Belgium is now over, the memories we made and things we learnt will last forever.

I had always considered myself to be relatively knowledgable about WWI and...

French pupils started to work on our project this week. They had to study the biographies of two soldiers from Nelson and buried in our local cemetery. We have access to their military and medical information thanks to the Archives New Zealand website. Pupils experienced a new kind of exercice. They had to work on primary sources in history, and, since documents were partly legible, the first task was to decipher them. They took it like a game, as if they were investigators of the past. Even if...

Although most of our students are aware that it is the 100th year anniversary of WW1 and that there is plenty of information available for them on TV , internet etc. we think that the actual event is too far removed from, and not really relevant to their lives.

Too many generations have passed by, and for most families oral history of the event seems to have somehow been forgotten over time or overtaken by more recent wars and tragic events.

We have learned from experience that if students...

An exhibition in the city of Dunedin at Toitū (Otago Settlers Museum) explores the stories of enlistment and departure, conscientious objection and conscription, the horrors and honours of war. In one section titled “Dissenters” they present primary documents on those who refused to fight. The caption on the display said;

“Most Dunedin citizens strongly supported the war effort. Some small groups and individuals, however, refused to participate for political, religious or moral reasons. But...

Salut,

Today I began my string of school visits speaking to two Year 12 History classes from Baradene College about the Shared Histories project and our trip. It was great to talk to them especially since they have already done great work with the project and will have the opportunity to travel to France next year on what will be an amazing trip.

I am heading towards exams now but I am looking forward to talking to other schools from around Auckland in the coming months. It was great to...

A short look back on what we did in France and Belgium in July while we were there for First World War commemorations.
Music is Trojans by Atlas Genius

Fresh crêpes, cobbled streets, photo booths and Parisiens smoking with cool refinement. Polished marble floors with a glassy sheen, wrought-iron lattices and metro stations flashing by in lights of dull grey. These are the things I remember about Paris. As soon as the Young Ambassadors touched down on French soil, we entered a place where history and modernity walk alive in the streets.

Our first week of the tour was a whirlwind of tourist attractions and grand military parades along with...