The New Year celebration provides a unique opportunity for communities to connect, reflect on the past, and set intentions for the year ahead. This time of year is marked by feasting, storytelling, song, dance, and other cultural activities that showcase the rich heritage of the Māori people. It's a time to honour the land, sea, and sky that sustain us all and to celebrate the connections between all living things. It is also a time to remember those that have passed away.
What's happening at Wairakei Primary School to celebrate Matariki?
Matariki Competition for all ages
Wairakei Primary School in conjunction with Oruanui Marae is running a family based competition to locate the Matariki stars and explain their meanings.
The competition is open for all ages during the term break ending on Monday July 17, 2023.
The criteria for the competition is
- Family based
- Has research about the meaning of the Matariki stars
- Has visual identification of the Matariki stars
Whānau can choose how they wish to present their research and visuals. Entries will be accepted in any format and will be on display in the school hall.
Presentations to the winners will be made at a special Matariki School Assembly to be held on Friday, July 21, 2023 starting at 9.15 a.m.
The Feast - Soup and Buns
From Monday, July 17, 2023 the school will be collecting donations of vegetables suitable to go into soup that will be shared with the whole school on Friday, July 21, 2023. The last day to send the vegetables to school will be Wednesday, July 19, 2023.
Soup preparation will occur on Thursday, July 20, 2023 and made in classes and around the school ready for sharing. Parents and whānau are invited to bring all their peelers, chopping boards and sharp knives and to come and help out from 9-11a.m.
Learning Rotations
All our Whare Tiaki groups will be involved in learning about Matariki across a range of activities planned by the teachers. Whare Tiaki groups will rotate through activities planned by the Māori Curriculum team on Thursday 20 and Friday 21, 2023 from 1.45-3p.m.
The long snaking line of students at the skipping rope. Jump in, jump out and off they go, happy and excited. Some still have to "Learn It". Others have reached the "Prove it" stage. Many will remain, comforted to be in a safe inclusive group.
Since 2010, I have been the passionate Principal of this vibrant, successful, and innovative school. It's without hesitation, I say I'm focused on "accelerating growth for student learning outcomes".
My style is fostering a culture of professionalism formed on a solid foundation of critical reflection. My own professionalism is expanded through a network of advanced educational practitioners. Practitioners who extend my theoretical, philosophical and pedagogical base. Fundamental in my belief, is strategic dialogue will map learning and teaching so innovation and creativity can flow into an innovative curriculum.
From considerable leadership experience, I know the school's vision has to be "crafted collaboratively". The adaptive vision must be student driven with ambitious academic goals. Raising success hinges on repeatedly asking: "does this decision help realise the vision?"
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