Kia ora koutou - Mānawatia a Matariki!

Matariki is a very special time for all of us and this year we are fortunate to be able to celebrate the first ever public holiday celebrating Matariki. Dr Rangi Mātāmua, New Zealand indigenous studies and Māori cultural astronomy academic and Professor of Mātauranga Māori at Massey University, gives this advice: “Matariki is about celebrating who we were, who we are, and who we want to be. Spend time with the people that are closest to you. Sit down and have a meal together and get to know each other. Do what works for you. Go with what your puku tells you to do. Say what’s in your heart. There’s no wrong way of doing it. The main thing is you do it with the right intentions.”

We were very honoured in this week of Matariki to receive the special gift of a pou called ‘He Taonga’ carved by Mike Mikaere and three master carvers, Tahi Maehe, Shane Baxter and James York. ‘He Taonga’ represents the Tauira (student) on the bottom and the Rangatira Kaiako (chief teacher) on top. The teachers are standing on the shoulders of the students, being supported by the students. This is a very special taonga for our school.

At Otago Girls’ High School we have had three Matariki celebrations taking place. The first of these was our Mana Wāhine leadership day held at Te Tumu at the University of Otago yesterday. Last night was our Matariki Whānau Hui and I know many of you will have attended celebrations at primary schools as well. Today we held our first Matariki assembly here in our school hall and were honoured to have author Kitty Brown and illustrator Kirsten Parkinson - our very own Dance teacher - speaking about their special new book - Matariki.

We have also launched our Māori Strategic Plan and this is attached in this newsletter. The main points I wish to draw attention to are the series of commitments that we make as a school on the first page, paralleling the national objectives for education that come from Ka Hikitia, the Māori Education Strategy and its companion strategy Tau Mai Te Reo.

The next stage of our school cultural strategy will be our Diversity, Pacific and Multi-ethnic strategies and this is exciting work being driven by student leaders, our Amnesty Group, the school and experts in these areas. Look out for our exciting Cultural Week in August.

Please alert any Year 6-8 students to our Open Night that takes place on the 2nd August. Student Learning Conferences happen August 24th and remain an important in-depth look at your rangatahi’s progress and wellbeing.

Have a great Matariki weekend and I hope that all students have a well-earned rest at this busy time of the year.

Matariki hunga nui.

Matariki of many people.

During Matariki festivities people gather together to celebrate the passing of one year and the hope of a new one. This whakataukī speaks to us about the gathering of people at Matariki time.