Tēnā koutou e te whānau o Te Kura O Tuahiwi

We have a very busy, exciting term ahead of us. The past two weeks have already seen our Tuākana Tau -5-8 participating in Athletics and for the first time all of our tamariki gave it a go. In hui we talked about no regrets and the importance of giving things a go referring to "Okea Ururoatia" which TeKoha Pitama helped contribute to the discussion with "Never give up!" I was so proud to see all of our Tau 8 ākonga attempt all of the events. Tau kē!

On Thursday 19 October our Tau 7 and Tau 8 spent the day at the Rakahuri awa learning about mahinga kai with Poua Ivan. Intergenerational Mahinga Kai is so important for us to continue to pass down the knowledge and traditions of our Tūpuna but also the sustainability of these practices and ensuring that we take care of our waterways and rivers. We were very fortunate to be a part of "The hui" as Te Marino has been working with them around Intergenerational Mahinga Kai and our haerenga aligned with the mahi that Te Marino is doing. 'The hui' were able to capture the Matauranga that Poua Ivan had to share. I want to Mihi to our whānau tautoko who are always there to support our haerenga especially katie and Keriana but also to Mathias, Marewa and Rex for your ongoing tautoko.

It was a beautiful day of learning.

I have now been Tumuaki of Te Kura O Tuahiwi for a year and wow time flies when you're having fun. I feel so blessed and privileged to work with our beautiful ākonga, kaimahi, whānau, Te Taumata, kaumatua and our whole community. It most certainly takes a Pā to raise a child and that is most certainly what and who we are. A Pā!

I am so very excited about our māra kai as we can now see our huawhenua growing over the planter boxes.. Our ākonga have been living and breathing our Uara 'Kaitiakitanga' by weeding, watering and nurturing the māra. Some of our tomatoes and courgettes need a little whare to shelter them from the frost so some of our tamariki are making those.

The most beautiful kaupapa that I feel so blessed about is the whakawhanaungatanga between our Kaumatua and our tamariki. On a Wednesday afternoon our kaumatua come to Te Kura O Tuahiwi and (at this point in time), our Tuākana that whakapapa to 'Ngāi Tūāhuriri tautoko them with using their devices.

Our ākonga have taught our Kaumatua how to use whats app, how to download apps, how to log in to things, how to send an email also how to log into the wifi. This is and has been such a rewarding experience for our tamariki as during this time they have been able to build whakapapa connections with our kaumatua and to make those links to whānau. We have other plans moving forward to enhance this beautiful and unique relationship. Intergenerational learning at its best.

I am grateful to 'Te Putahitanga' and the funding support that we have received over this past year.

Due to this funding we were able to participate in Winter sports and Korf ball, pay for the buses to transport us and we also have funding to purchase new sports uniforms.

We have been able to set up a māra kai whilst our permanent māra kai is being created and I have just received more funding to tautoko and support Te Reo Matatini/ Literacy and professional development for Reo a waha for our kaiako and whānau.

We have also been supported in purchasing new kapa haka uniforms for our Kura through Hākui Stephanie.

I am so very grateful to be the tumuaki of a very special kura, surrounded by so many very beautiful people.

Ngā manaakitanga

Dot Singh

Te Kura O Tuahiwi

Tumuaki