What's Coming Up?

Friday, July 5th-Last Day of Term

Monday 22nd July-Term 3 begins

Tuesday 30th July-Cross Country

Thursday 1st August-Cross Country Postponement Date

5th August-Cook Island Language Week/Marimba Jam

15th August-Hills Cluster Cross Country

Sunday 18th August-Jump Jam Competition for school teams

19th August-Tonga Language Week

Saturday 7th September-School Fair

9th September-Polyfest Week

16th September-Te Wiki O Te Reo Māori

End of Term

The Kererū team would like to thank you for attending the recent school interviews to discuss your child’s child's progress for the first half of the school year. Your active involvement and valuable insights support your child's child's journey and overall development.

It was a pleasure meeting with you and discussing your child's achievements, strengths, and areas for growth. Your commitment to learning and collaborative approach are appreciated and essential for their progress.

We would like to wish Miss Hardie all the best for her travel next term. We hope she has a wonderful time, and we look forward to having her back with us in Term 4.

Thank you Mr Lopas! Sadly, Mr Lopas is leaving today. We would like to wish him the best for his future endeavours.

We wish you and your family an enjoyable and restful time as we approach the mid-term break. May this break be an opportunity for relaxation and quality time together.

Thank you once again for your continued support.

Matariki

Last week, we celebrated Matariki with a full day of school-wide learning and activities. During lunchtime, we enjoyed a delicious soup our students and staff prepared. Thank you to everyone who contributed vegetables for the soup! The students participated in various activities, including making kites, lanterns, flax weaving, porotiti, poi, and more. We were fortunate and happy to have Whaea Ana visit and teach us a waiata, and our Kapa Haka group performed. It was especially wonderful to see our senior students lead the day, supporting their younger peers and our teachers.

Stories about Matariki

Matariki

By Laisenia

Matariki is the Maori New Year. The word Matariki means the eyes of God- Nga Mata o te Ariki O Tāwhirimatea.

Matariki reminds us of the story of Ranginui and Papatuanuku.

Tāne was separating the dad, Ranginui, and the mum Papatuanuku. Tawhirimatea got angry, ripped his eyes out, and threw his eyes up to make the nine stars or nine sisters of Matariki.

Matariki is the mother of the stars. She is the healer and the giver of plentiful food. Eight other stars in the cluster have different meanings. They are all about caring for the planet and ourselves.

This Matariki look to the night sky and think about the people who have passed.

Matariki

By Scarlett Lemin

Matariki means eyes of God, and it celebrates the Maori new year, the beginning of a new season, and harvest time. It will take place on Friday, June 28th, 2024. There are lots of different stories, and here is one of them.

Back in the beginning, Tane Mahuta separated Ranganui, the sky father, and Papatuanuku, the Earth mother. Tawhirimatea was so mad that he gouged out his eyes, crushed them, and threw them into the heavens, creating the Matariki cluster. Here are the stars and what they mean…

First up is Matariki [Alycone], the mother of the Nine Stars. She represents health and well-being and is often viewed as a sign of good fortune. Next is Tupuarangi (Atlas), connected to food and growth above the ground. She has a strong connection with birds. Then, there is Tupuanuku, the star linked to anything within the soil. This star also represents geographical features such as mountains and valleys.

Now is Waiti, the star connected to freshwater and living creatures in rivers and streams. Waita is associated with the ocean and food gathered from the sea. Wai-puna-a-Rangi is connected to rain; the name itself means 'Water' at pools in the sky.

Ururangi is the star linked to atmospheric conditions in the sky. Here, she represents hope, dreams, and aspirations for the future. For her, we are connected to our loved ones who have passed. She encourages us to be faithful to those who have contributed to our lives.

This Matariki, can you please remember this legend and look up, watch the stars and be happy!

Matariki

By Pippa

Matariki is a special celebration for Māori and all New Zealanders; it represents the Māori New Year. Nga mata o te ariki o tawhirimatea, the eyes of god, is the meaning of the word Matariki. Matariki is a large star cluster that acknowledges the past and the year to come.

It all started when Tane wanted to separate his parents, Papatūānuku (Earth Mother) and Ranginui (Sky Father). Tāne was sick of being trapped between them. Tāne used all of his power, pushing and pushing. Tawhirimatea was furious, so he crushed his eyes and threw them up into the sky. They are what you see as the Matariki star cluster today.

Matariki is made up of nine stars, each representing something different; Waiti is connected to fresh water and living Nga mea hanga (creatures). Waita is associated with the ocean and food gathered in the Moana (the sea). Waipunarangi is connected to the water that pauses from the rangi (the sky). Tupuanuku is the food that grows in the ground. Tubularangi is the star linked to food growing above the ground. Ururangi is the hau (the wind). Pohutukawa is connected to the dead. Hiwa-i-te-rangi is the wishing star, and Matariki is the Mother star.

For Matariki this year, remember to look up into the night sky and think about the story of the nine stars of Matariki.

PBL

Our Science Project-Based Learning (PBL) unit will conclude this week with the children designing their own experiments using the scientific method. This has been an engaging and thrilling journey for the students, filled with hands-on experiences and learning opportunities from local experts. Throughout the unit, the children have participated in multiple experiments, honing their inquiry skills and deepening their understanding of scientific concepts. We encourage you to keep an eye on SeeSaw for your child's project, which showcases their creativity and newly acquired knowledge. Thank you for your support and enthusiasm throughout this enriching educational experience.

Have a wonderful break!

Kererū Team

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