Te Reo Māori is taught from Year 0-9 at Columba.

This year, students at all levels have learnt a mihimihi (personal greeting), basic pronunciation of Te Reo, a variety of kupu (words) and phrases, and a range of waiata (songs).

Children in the Junior School have covered topics such as Clothing, Animals, Colour and Number, and have revised words and sentences relating to Family, Feelings and Actions.

Topics within the Year 7-9 Units have included Greetings, Feelings, Animals, Te Whānau/Family and Clothing.

The topics at Year 9 level included: Te Taone/The Town, Whakatauki/Proverbs, and Introductions. A special aspect of the Year 9 programme has been a morning spent at school with local designer and weaver, Amber Bridgman. On this occasion the students shared their mihimihi and made a flower from harakeke/flax. Amber also shared with the students her knowledge of cultural practices relating to flax weaving and Marae experiences.

We are very lucky at Columba to have teachers and students who use te reo Māori in their classrooms and around the school. Kia kaha tātou. Let’s all challenge ourselves to use a little more each year.

Ngā mihi,

Ms A. Rose

TIC Māori