"Mā te whiritahi, ka whakatutuki ai ngā pūmanawa ā tāngata" - Together weaving the realisation of potential.

During Thursday and Friday of last week of our Year 9 students, staff, and student Māori leaders were involved in our fifth consecutive year of Year 9 Marae visits and place responsive wero based at Whakatū Marae and Founders Park.

This event provides the opportunity for our Year 9 students to participate in a Pōwhiri at Whakatū Marae and learn the histories and stories of our local place/s through a place responsive wero based at Founders Park, Myazu Gardens and Centre of New Zealand.

The place responsive wero was a fun and competitive event that involved all five houses over the two days. The top performing team in the Wero was CCJF from Cygnus House who gained 179 points. The team consisted of Jack, Chey, Connor and Fionn. It was impressive to see teams working together effectively and exploring and learning about their local area and significant place/s.

The highlights of the marae visit included the Student Māori leaders teaching students waiata, haka, and hand games and the Kaumatua sharing the stories of the history, carvings and tukutuku panels within the whare and of the marae.

Our Senior student Māori leaders were outstanding role models throughout the two days. Their energy, skills, knowledge and enthusiasm meant our Year 9 students learnt and we had Ethan Pembleton whaikōrero and Juahna Hura karanga on behalf of our staff and students at the pōwhiri.

We also had staff and their whanau stay overnight for a Noho Marae at Kākāti (the Wharenui at Whakatū) where they learnt the stories and history of the carvings from Mark Davies, the Master carver who carved many of the whakairo within the whare. We also heard from Jane de Feu who spoke about the history of Marae, and the stories of the Tukutuku panels. Jane was involved with the production of the Tukutuku panels and the establishment and development of the marae from 1995 to the present day.

Our Year 9 students made the most of the opportunity to connect with our local marae and learn the stories of our local significant places. Our senior students shined as outstanding leaders, and they all did Nayland College proud representing our school in our local community.

"Hapaitia te ara tika pumau ai te rangatiratanga mo nga uri whakatipu"

- Foster the pathway of knowledge to strength, independence and growth for future generations.