Matariki - A Celebration of The Māori New Year

It is now the second year Aoteaora is celebrating Matariki with a National holiday, this year on Friday 14th July (during the school holidays).

We are delighted to announce that we will be running our special Seatoun School Matariki evening again at:
6pm on Thursday, 29th June.

We need your support to run this event – please let us know if you are able to help with:

• Set up for event - one hour the day before and one hour before the event
• Serving hot drinks and biscuits and clean up - behind the counter in the kitchen

This event will be held in the internal courtyard. Whānau can enter via the main doors and walk through to the courtyard. This is an outside area, so dress warmly! If the weather is terrible, the event will be moved inside.

Will you be joining us at our Matariki Celebration? Please indicate on the form below. There's also the option to offer your much needed help with the event.
https://forms.gle/m1m9CCFJPqu6RvMQA

What is Matariki?

It is also known as "the rising of the star constellation", is a significant time in the Māori calendar, as it marks the start of the Māori New Year.The New Year celebrations provide a unique opportunity for communities to connect, reflect on the past, and set intentions for the year ahead. This time of year is marked by feasting, storytelling, song, dance, and other cultural activities that showcase the rich heritage of the Māori people. It's a time to honor the land, sea, and sky that sustain us all and to celebrate the connections between all living things.

At Seatoun School, we celebrate Matariki by learning about the star cluster, reading Matariki stories, creating artworks, singing waiata, showing manaakitanga (kindnesses) and meeting up to celebrate together.

Event: Matariki Celebration
Date: Thursday 29th June
Time: 6-7pm in the school courtyard (look for the fairy lights!)

Highlights include:

• Meet with your friends at the Star Walk locations and follow a star to school from 5.40pm* (see poster for locations)

• Bring a mug for hot chocolate and biscuit, warm clothes and a torch for the star walk

• Sing waiata together

Matariki and Our Community

As part of Matariki we will also be supporting The Wellington City Mission’s Social Supermarket. In a shift from the traditional City Mission food parcel model the Mission’s Social Supermarket, a store located in Newtown, puts shopper experience and choice at its heart. Instead of collecting a pre-selected food parcel, shoppers can be choose their own grocery items from a wide selection of food and essentials in a normal supermarket environment.

Below is a list of everyday items that they are in dire need of. Have a look in your pantry, or next time you’re shopping please give a thought to the list below. Please share this initiative with your kids - maybe ask them what they would like to choose from the list. Please bring donations that are not damaged or expired.

· Canned soup/meals.

· Canned fruit.

· Canned spaghetti

· Pasta sauce

· Dried pasta

· Spreads - peanut butter jam etc..

· 2 min noodles

· Soap

· Shampoo/conditioner

Thank you for your support. Hope you can make the night!

Ngā mihi nui kia koutou,
Kirikiri Tatangi (Seatoun School)