He mihi mahana ki a koutou ngä pou tautoko o õ tätou tamariki e ako ana

Greetings to all of you who support our Mäori girls in their learning

It was wonderful to see so many of our school whänau involved with Waitangi Day commemorations at the weekend. We have had some pleasing results in NCEA and are looking forward to a solid year ahead.

He Wero, He Mihi Whakatau

Our school welcome to new Year 9 students and Ms Rowan Taigel, our new Deputy Principal commenced with a wero from the boys in our kapa haka, the karanga, followed by a haka põwhiri performed by all of Wairua Pühou. This was the first time that a wero has been conducted for this occasion and we were very proud of Taina Te Ngahue and Keegan Henman who upheld the mana of the day.

Reo Māori

This year Matua Mac Te Ngähue will be teaching Year 10 Mäori at Otago Girls’ and senior Mäori NCEA classes at Otago Boys’ High. We hope this will lead to further learning opportunities for our students.

We welcome speakers of te reo from whänau who would like to help in our reo Mäori classes. Let Matua Mac or Whaea Joe know if you are able to help.

Wairua Pūhou

Co-ordinated by one of our reo Mäori teachers Matua Mac Te Ngähue, who also teaches senior reo Mäori at Otago Boys’ High School, this combined boys and girls group is open to all students with an interest in Mäori performing arts. This year, the group is aiming to win the regional secondary schools contest in July. The group is taught by Kaharau and Te Rina Keogh, a brother and sister team who are fluent reo speakers and experienced performers in their own right.

A workshop for students to establish their own purpose and expectations for our kapa haka will be held very soon.

Māori Education Fund Scholarships

http://www.maorieducation.org.nz/ is the website to visit for information about what is available to help back your girl’s education. We are always happy to help you fill in forms or write references in support of applications.

Year 9 whänau have already been contacted by our Careers Education Leader Robyn Baszika.

Hui

22 Feb Whänau Get-together 5:00 -6:30pm

All are welcome, come and share a kai with staff, Mäori students and our families.

Matatini 22- 25 March

The national kapa haka championships will be broadcast live on Mäori TV. We will be watching in reo Mäori class too!

Joe Hunter, Dean of Mäori students

Manu Tiria  (Nä   Jasmine Dallas räua ko Matiu Payne i tito)

Kaea: Manu tiria Digging bird, planting bird

Katoa: Manu tiria

Manu werohia ki te poho o Te Raka Within the chest of Te Räka (Mäui’s father)

Ka tau rërere Landing after a long flight

Ka tau mai i te ruhi Exhausted, resting prior to digging

E tau e koia

Kaea: Koia Dig, dig

Katoa: Koia ko Tararauriki Here the first shoots

Kï  mai Maui From Mäui

Ehara i te whitu me te waru e Not (to plant) in the seventh or eighth months

E tau e koia Settle, dig!

Koia!

This waiata draws on traditional metaphors. It speaks of the flight of the kuaka and the planting of kumara. One interpretation is that in observance of the natural rhythms of the seasons, there is a correct time when important actions should be undertaken and that being well prepared ensures success.