It was another proud moment for West Rolleston Primary School on Monday night when our Kapahaka and Pasifika groups performed at the Cultural Festival for the second year running.

The children have worked really hard to learn their songs, haka and dance routines. They were very excited and nervous backstage so it was great to be the opening performance! Well done also to our amazing wearable arts models. The creations that were made were very artistic and original and obviously promoted one of our values of sustainable environments. Big thanks to everyone who helped teach the children and to the staff who helped on the night. Special mention to Matua Te Huaki, Vaipou and Philip Shadwell, and Miss Leigh Thrupp.

This week is Māori Language week. Kia Kaha te reo Māori is the theme for this year’s Māori Language Week. ‘Kia Kaha’ is a well known phrase in New Zealand meaning ‘be strong’. We often talk about language health, strength and revitalisation, so when we say ‘Kia Kaha te Reo Māori’ we’re saying - ‘Let’s make the Māori language strong'. On Tuesday a large group of Y6 learners played ki o rahi with learners from Clearview Primary at Brookside Park. We have also had a range of other activities happening across our school to support our usual Māori teaching and learning programmes. 

Finally, please check out our newest school mural on the side of Te Puawaitanga. This mural has been created over the past three terms by Mrs Leona Whittington and her art club who meet at lunchtime once a week. It is a welcome mural with flags from different countries to represent the diverse cultures we have in our school. The mural still has different greetings to be drawn in but we already love it.

Ngā mihi nui

Sylvia