This week saw the blessing and presentation of five House Pou.

Pou are traditionally used as markers of significance or land boundaries as well as supports for the Meeting House. They are carved to tell stories. Ours are contemporary and based on House namesakes and the values and symbols associated with them. They are two metres tall by sixty centimetres with three sides. They were carved by 10 boys from Year 9 to 13 (both Maori and Pacific Island students) at the Whakaraupo Carving Centre Trust in Lyttelton.

They were presented to the school on Feast Day as taonga (treasure) by the boys as a gift for the school to take guardianship and blessed at Mass by Father Phil Bennenbroek. Photos of the Pou can be seen below.

During the Haka Competition, the students spoke about each Pou, what the symbols and patterns mean and why they were selected for each House. 

The carvers then performed an impressive Haka to hand them over and the school performed one back, led by Te Aho Eketone-Whitu, to accept them.

This was a definite highlight of Feast Day, that saw a Mass, sporting competitions, the opportunity to sample a range of foods, the Year 9 Haka Competition and the chance for a group of Old boys at their 50 year reunion, to enjoy the festivities.

In Assembly this week, we spoke about traditions old and new and those that we want to be known for and those that are not part of our school. Feast Day continues to be one of those that has a special place in our year.

Until next time

Gerry Davidson