On 22nd August 2025, the college students of Wilson School hosted a cooking demonstration dubbed “A Feast for the Senses: A Special School Celebration.
Special guest apprentice chef Darien Bignell prepared to teach the participants green fettuccine from scratch. Students got the opportunity to knead, peel, chop, cut, blend ingredients. Smelling fresh rosemary twigs was a first-hand experience for most of the participants. Many were amazed when they used a pasta machine.
Wilson School college teacher Wilma Renolayan shared: “The idea for this cooking demonstration was for students to experience, with their senses, different ingredients in a dish. And I think we achieved that objective.” Renolayan was also responsible for organising this event.
Students and staff members from both schools enjoyed the pasta prelibata, which was indeed a feast for the senses.
Selected students from the neurodiverse class of Glenfield College participated in the event. They were led by their teacher/adviser Ms. Amanda Smith. Glenfield College Deputy Principal Michelle Cleaver graced the gathering.
Both Smith and Cleaver expressed gratefulness for the initiative of Wilson School in organizing another event to collaborate with mainstream neurodiverse class.
Other Wilson School classes, both from the main school on Lake Road and in satellite classes, organised activities that gave students opportunities to experience the world around them through their senses.
According to Anjuman “Anju” Raza, Acting Principal of Wilson School, the aim of the celebration was to recognise the importance of specialist schools in the growth and development of students with special needs.
The Special School Celebration is not unique to Wilson School alone, as other specialist schools across greater Auckland organized special activities to celebrate on the same day. Notable schools include Wairau Valley Special School, Central Auckland Specialist School, Mount Richmond School, Rosehill School among others.
by: Nick Shepherd
