Library News

Our students have been busy in the library bringing the magic of Matariki alive! To celebrate, we gathered with friends to craft Matariki stars by weaving together strips of pages of old magazines and newspapers. These stars have become part of a display highlighting a collection of texts around the theme of Matariki.

This activity brought us together, stimulating conversation about how we would be celebrating with whānau over this special time. It was fantastic to see students working co-operatively, teaching one another the skills required to complete this weaving task.

Matariki has provided us with the opportunity to refresh and rejuvenate our collection of Māori texts too. With new texts hitting our shelves all the time, we give thanks for the way this community of teachers and learners actively support diversity and inclusion.

Mrs Ranby recommends…

Pearls of wisdom – whakataukī – have been gifted from generation to generation as an intrinsic part of the Māori world. As powerful metaphors, they combine analogy and cultural history in the most economical of words. Short and insightful, they take you by surprise, engendering reflection, learning and personal growth.

Mauri Ora links whakataukī to key personal virtues idealised across cultures and generations. The virtues – wisdom, courage, compassion, integrity, self-mastery and belief – stem from the field of positive psychology; the study of how to live a better life.

Illustrated throughout with wonderful photographs from an old world, this book draws on traditional wisdom to provide a recipe for personal effectiveness and leadership, and a rewarding connection of Māori knowledge to contemporary thinking about personal happiness and fulfilment.