Queen Shirl’e Academy

That’s a wrap from our at the .network Symposium 2026 🙌🏽🤎🙏🏽😊
Truly honoured to have hosted 4 podcast therapy workshops across the past two days … pouring into our people, creating safe spaces & building real connection through voice group discussions and storytelling 💯🙌🏽
To every single person who showed up, leaned in, participated & connected… thank you. Despite the short time that we had …the energy was powerful, the conversations were real & the impact was felt.
A special thank you to the incredible SAYN team for curating such a meaningful space & to all the speakers and facilitators who shared their wisdom and added to our kete 🤎😊😌
We leave fuller, sharper & even more committed to the work in our communities 🤎🙏🏽

.homestead week 3 Podcast Programme!
Congratulations to our youngest tauira Emma for releasing her first ever solo podcast episode now available on Spotify - search for YOUTH IN THE BOOTH on Spotify!

https://open.spotify.com/show/4SX1TmiHqLTLmJV6ShoorN?si=FFN-y_wRS86a7zf5A0EjSg

Week 2 - .homestead YOUTH IN THE BOOTH podcast programme was next level 🔥🙌🏽😊
Honestly… our podcasters are so smart, creative and picking things up so fast.. we are absolutely loving watching them grow in this space!

Gilbert & Kate jumped straight into editing their episode they created and recorded last week … the way they navigated it with confidence and curiosity was so cool to see. They were fully locked in and loving the process!

Emma came in feeling proud of her episode and took it even further … recording extra takes for her solo podcast on the Warriors. She even went ahead and designed her own podcast cover… creative director energy already!

Becca & Amazon handled set up and pack down like absolute pros … real leadership vibes & still managed to record their second episode with ease!

Solina, Matakorama & Jordan got straight into recording multiple episodes — such a fun, high energy session, especially with it being Jordan’s first time in the booth. Natural talent all round!

Overall… a super productive, powerful session. The confidence, teamwork and creativity in that room is something extra special 🤎

So proud of our rangatahi after our very first Youth in the Booth podcast class at .homestead Rewa. Small group, big energy! everyone showed up, stepped up & did so well. Just the beginning & already something special 🤎

Check out YOUTH IN THE BOOTH PODCAST by Youth for YOUTH on Spotify tap in & feel the vibe .. support our rangatahi 🤎

2025 … A YEAR OF IMPACT 💪🏾💯🥰🙏🏾
What a year!!
Our academy moved with vision heart & PURPOSE 😌🙏🏾
We want to congratulate every single person who registered, showed up …stayed the course & even those who simply just gave it a go. Every step mattered guys! Every effort counted!🙌🏾💯

We may be a small academy, but our impact this year was BIG🥲 A huge THANKU to all our sponsors supporters volunteers & collaborators who helped in any way & believed in us! We appreciate all the love & support 🥲🙏🏾

2025 was about stepping up and opening doors from podcasting education, community event management, radio interviews & many live performances…what we do best.. provide rare opportunities that arnt given else where for FREE!

Watching our young people find their voice, own the room & back each other has been the real win.
We’re beyond grateful for the trust, the support and the journey shared.
And this is only the beginning.
2026 …we’re ready 💯💪🏽

We look forward to welcoming more creative young & grown ups into the movement and continuing to build, grow & rise together.
Big love
Queen Shirl’e Academy 🤎

On behalf of the Queen Shirl’e Academy we just want to say a huge thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate the end of our year with us at our final event for this year “Otahuhu Arts in the Square” 🙌🏾🔥🤎

Thank you to our beautiful team behind the scenes Otahuhu business association crew Caroline & the Mealamu security team! Te Mana, Lilly, Becca, Lady C, Miss Lay, Ata for showing up early to help setup our stage and our sounds! our students, helpers and every talented performer who shared their gifts on the day.. We are so grateful for each of you Kas Futialo ._psalm Eyeleen Taynah-Tahtah Jasy Duzit ( Q2Q) SUNZ, Te vaerua o te rangi dance group & Birds of paradise 🤎🔥😌 Keep sharing your gift & talents! Yal AMAZING!!!

Thank you to our DJs - and world DMC champ and to all our sponsors and supporters — the Ōtāhuhu Business Association, Richette and Caroline, Māngere Ōtāhuhu Arts and Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board. Thank you as well to Christine O'Brien for her inspiring speech! our stall holders Santa’s Grotto, face painters and the amazing BBQ team Talima family STYLA TYSON & 🔥🙏🏽

We truly appreciate the love and support from our community.
We had an amazing day and are so thankful to everyone who made it possible 🤎

See you all in 2026 - Have an amazing Christmas holiday God bless

Love
QS 🤎