Whitireia News & Events http://www.whitireia.ac.nz/news/Pages/Forms/AllItems.aspx RSS feed for Whitireia news items. Mon, 20 May 2013 16:21:48 GMT Microsoft SharePoint Foundation RSS Generator 60 en-US News & Events: Pages http://www.whitireia.ac.nz/style%20library/whitireiastyles/images/logo.png http://www.whitireia.ac.nz/news/Pages/Forms/AllItems.aspx International-Nurses-Day-Celebrated http://www.whitireia.ac.nz/news/Pages/International-Nurses-Day-Celebrated.aspx Page Title: International Nurses Day Celebrated
Description: Whitireia nursing students took on Whitireia nursing tutors today in a bed making competition at the Porirua campus.
Posted Date: 13/05/2013 3:00 p.m.
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​Whitireia nursing students took on Whitireia nursing tutors today in a bed making competition at the Porirua campus.

Four teams competed in the bed making competition, each having 2.50 minutes to make the best straight hospital bed ready for patient admittance.

The competition was run as a fun exercise to celebrate and recognise International Nurses Day, celebrated each year on the 12 May.  It is celebrated around the world to mark the contributions that nurses make to society and also marks the anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale, who is considered the founder of modern nursing.

Nurding students
 

The competition was very hotly contested with the students coming out the winners with Lesa Tialata and Tiikan Kabiriera, first year Bachelor of Nursing Pacific students taking out first for comfort and Lynley Holes and Jola Jurczenko, first year Bachelor of Nursing students taking first for speed.

A simulation display – responding to the deteriorating patient took place in the new simulation suites at the end of the competition. Here third year Bachelor of Nursing students were involved in the role playing of this scenario, to staff and students.

 

 
L-R Lynley Holes and Jola Jurczenko, Bachelor of Nursing year one students finish the bed making competition
]]> Mon, 13 May 2013 02:45:21 GMT http://www.whitireia.ac.nz/news/Pages/International-Nurses-Day-Celebrated.aspx Blooming-Success http://www.whitireia.ac.nz/news/Pages/Blooming-Success.aspx Page Title: Blooming Success
Description: Whitireia floristry tutor Megan Parker won silver for her exhibition in the Floral Art Individual category at the recent Ellerslie International Flower Show in Christchurch.
Posted Date: 7/05/2013 11:00 a.m.
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​Whitireia floristry tutor Megan Parker won silver for her exhibition in the Floral Art Individual category at the recent Ellerslie International Flower Show in Christchurch. Up against 13 competitors in her category, Megan took away the highest award.

Whatever the Weather, the theme given to the Floral Art Individual category, formed the basis of Megan’s exhibit.  She drew her inspiration from My Fair Lady, beautiful hats, tight bodices, full sumptuous skirts and the parasol.  She titled her work Whatever the weather, flowers inspire and always shine. She started planning her work in November last year and by January this year was pulling it altogether.

Not only was Megan inspired by her My Fair Lady vision, she also wanted to include a cultural feel to it.  “I have worked at Whitireia for ten years now and it was important that a bit of what Whitireia is about was evident – a multi-cultural institution."  A range of materials including: feathers, paua shells, grasses, tillandsia, phalaenopsis  orchids, callas, hydrangeas, lupin seed pods, decorative wires, wire hearts, fairy lights, jewels, ribbon and skeleton leaves were used to pull her vision together.
 
Megan took seven hours to create her master piece.  I have not worked so hard in seven hours for a very long time said Megan.  “Despite the pressure, I loved being part of this event and showcasing my floristry talents.  I have always wanted to enter this show as it’s the most prestigious flower show in New Zealand; it is marked under the same criteria as the Chelsea Flower Show in London.” Megan was also part of the demonstration team at the flower show where she showcased her floristry talents.
  
Whatever the weather, flowers inspire and always shineWhitireia floristry tutor Megan Parker 
Having worked with flowers since she was 14, Megan derives her creative flare from the most amazing flower books. They are expensive but well worth it says Parker. “New Zealand is so limited in terms of talent to learn from, if there are ever international designers that come here I always jump at the chance to attend demonstrations and workshops.” Colour and texture are the two elements that grab her attention.
 
Having worked in a retail florist and after owning her own business, Megan is now passing on her creative floristry talents to the students at Whitireia.
 
The Whitireia floristry programme is run from the most divine place in Porirua according to Megan. “We have a private secluded area on top of a hill overlooking the Porirua harbour, surrounded by the beautiful sounds of native birds and a garden full of wonderful flora and fauna.”
 
Megan has just completed a two year tenure as President of the New Zealand Professional Florists Inc and is currently a National Assessor for them.
 
“There is something truly special about flowers.”
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