Over the last five weeks our Year 9 students have been involved in a teaching and learning programme focused on ‘Ko Wai Tatou/Who we are’. The aim of the ‘Ko Wai Tatou’ is to connect our Year 9 students with their new school, and the community, people and places they live in.

To celebrate ‘Ko Wai Tatou’ and to launch our 2019 Hui Taurima/Learning Festival, all of our Year 9 students will have the opportunity to participate in a Powhiri at Whakatu Marae and a place responsive wero on either the 21 or 22 March.

• Core Classes: 9A, B C, D, E will attend Thursday 21 March
• Core classes: 9F, G, H, I, J will attend Friday 22 March

Year 9 students, student leaders, and staff will be transported via buses from Nayland College to Whakatū Marae for a Powhiri. We will be welcomed on to Whakatū marae by Kaumatua and Kuia from Ngāti Koata.

The Powhiri will start at 9:30am and we will be at the marae until approximately 11:30 -12pm.

At 12pm we will walk to Founders Park where students will participate in a team place responsive challenge/wero.

The wero will be based at Founders Park and surrounding area, and will involve exploring Founders Park, travelling to significant sites and learning about the stories and history of our local places. There will be a teacher and/or a Senior student leading each group.

We will leave Founders Park at 2:30pm to ensure all students are back at Nayland College in time to catch buses.

There will be morning tea provided in the wharekai after the Powhiri.

Students will need to bring their lunch, a drink bottle and shoes appropriate for physical activity.