CPIT hairdressing students have again proved a cut above the rest at the recent Canterbury Westland NZARH Hairdressing Competitions.

Second year students, Sara Sullivan and Jade Sadler were placed in the top three of the Pre-Trade 'Creative' event of the competitions held earlier this month. CPIT hairdressing students have again proved a cut above the rest at the recent Canterbury Westland NZARH Hairdressing Competitions.

Second year students, Sara Sullivan and Jade Sadler were placed in the top three of the Pre-Trade 'Creative' event of the competitions held earlier this month.Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology student Sullivan won 1st prize for her stunning Rock'n'Roll entry (pictured) and Sadler achieved third place with her fashion-forward, Hip Hop entry.

Unlike previous years, where students have been judged on their blow-waving abilities, this year, for the first time in the event's history, students were asked to create a hair-up based on a musical theme ranging from jazz through to Latin dance.

"I already had an idea of what I wanted to do for the competition. I knew that everyone else would choose something like hip hop, so I wanted to stand out and do something different," says Sullivan.

"For the preparation, I set my model's hair with pipe-cleaners to create texture, and then formed a roll at the front of her head and a side ponytail in the opposite corner to balance out the look. Along the ponytail I formed a chain of textured, circular-shaped balls. I was really pleased with the finished result and the overall appearance - I felt my model really did have a rock'n'roll look."

CPIT's School of Professional Hairdressing said the event was a great success and a testament to the talent of CPIT's hairdressing students.

"The Canterbury Westland Competitions are an opportunity for students to engage in their learning. Our participating students initiated their entries and were motivated to experience this regional competition. Their active investigation was a valuable learning experience not only for themselves but also their peers. The clear guidelines that were set, presented the students with an opportunity to analyse, assess and evaluate. These tools of critical thinking are attributes that CPIT strives to instil in its graduates."

Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology

29/10/08