MUSIC on Zoom

Music tuition, via Zoom, is currently being given for guitar, keyboard and rock-band students. Through the weeks of Covid19, including lockdown, Zoom became a most appreciated form of communication. It was nice to ‘visit’ the children’s homes where they had their lessons. For most of that time, children were having one-on-one lessons and it was amazing to see the progress they were making.

We learnt lots of new songs and waiata.

MUSIC at School

It was great to be able to visit the island again at the end of Term 2, after the Covid19 hold-up. During that week we had rousing singing sessions every day. The children in Room 3 had ukulele lessons, while the children in Rooms 1 and 4 had guitar, keyboard and Band sessions. The week ended with a concert where everyone got to show off their musical skills. It had to be one of our best concerts ever!

TE REO/TIKANGA MĀORI on Zoom

During Lockdown I watched some televised Te Reo/Waiata sessions that had been created for children to watch and learn. I learnt some new waiata which I taught once the children were back at school. We proudly presented two of these waiata at our school concert, along with two of our other favourites.

TE REO/TIKANGA MĀORI at School

We have been focusing on greeting people at school, people in the community and people at home. While I was visiting the school we did this every day and the children have become way more confident at using Te Reo without being prompted too much. Now we are concentrating on goodbyes: ‘Ka kite. Kia pai te ra.’ ‘Goodbye. Have a nice day.’

At the end of our concert last term, all of the children and teachers were acknowledged by local iwi who presented a karanga, haka, waiata and a whaikorero. This was very special for us. The beautiful waiata they sang, ‘Rakiura Te Whenua’, is locally composed, and we are presently learning this. It will be presented at the opening of the new museum later this year.

Ngā mihi nui!