The Tahuna Intermediate School kapa haka group at the
unveiling of the school's new creativity sculpture by Gavin
Wilson (top right) yesterday. Photos by Peter McIntosh.
Special project was celebrated at Tahuna Intermediate
School yesterday. The final sculpture was unveiled in a series
of four which honour the school values of responsibility,
success, respect and creativity.
The imposing artworks were created by professional sculptor
Gavin Wilson and a dozen school pupils.
The achievement was made all the more remarkable because Mr
Wilson had his right hand severed in an industrial accident
at Ellis Fibre Ltd, in Kaikorai Valley, on June 6.
''It was a pretty traumatic amputation. But, it's like
anything; you just get on with it,'' he said at the unveiling
and blessing of the sculpture at school assembly yesterday.
''Having the kids involved gives them ownership of them. It
means they respect them more."
Less than two weeks after the accident, he was back at Tahuna
Intermediate helping pupils complete the sculptures.
Tahuna Intermediate principal Tony Hunter said Mr Wilson was
''inspirational'' to the pupils.
''He had the accident halfway through, so it has taken
incredible dedication and commitment from him to finish the
project.''
Mr Wilson hopes to eventually trade in his prosthetic hand
for a robotic hand. The Ministry of Business Innovation and
Employment is investigating the accident.
nigel.benson@odt.co.nz
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