Inventors day

Matariki

I hope everyone is keeping snug and warm as mid winter is upon us.  In Room 19 we have been talking about Matariki - The Maori New Year... a time for reflection, remembering and celebration.  This is the song that we are practising in class. Please open the link and practice it this weekend ... (just click on it.)

Tirama Tirama Nga Whetu - Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

Twinkling in the winter sky just before dawn, Matariki (the Pleiades) signals the Māori New Year. Traditionally, it was a time for remembering the dead, and celebrating new life. In the 21st century, observing Matariki has become popular again. Heaven-bound kites, hot-air balloons and fireworks help mark the occasion.

What is Matariki?

Matariki is the Māori name for the cluster of stars also known as the Pleiades. It rises in mid-winter – late May or early June. For many Māori, it heralds the start of a new year.

Matariki literally means the ‘eyes of god’ (mata ariki) or ‘little eyes’ (mata riki). According to myth, when Ranginui, the sky father, and Papatūānuku, the earth mother, were separated by their children, the god of the winds, Tāwhirimātea, became so angry that he tore out his eyes and threw them into the heavens.

Cycles of life and death

Traditionally, Matariki was a time to remember those who had died in the last year. But it was also a happy event – crops had been harvested and seafood and birds had been collected. With plenty of food in the storehouses, Matariki was a time for singing, dancing and feasting.

Modern Matariki

Matariki, or Māori New Year celebrations were once popular, but stopped in the 1940s. In 2000, they were revived. Only a few people took part at first, but in just a few years thousands were honouring the ‘New Zealand Thanksgiving’. A special feature of Matariki celebrations is the flying of kites – according to ancient custom they flutter close to the stars.

Information from www.teara.govt.nz

Poetry Finalists

Well done everyone!  Each child in Room 19 spent time memorizing and presenting a poem to the rest of the class.  Nearly everyone also reached the challenge of saying the poem at our poetry presentation last week.  Today I selected the top two to represent our class at our Whanau Assembly.  It was a tough decision as the quality of presentation was so high, but Mae and Vincent were the two chosen.

Proud moment

Of all the children from Pohutukawa, two were then chosen to present their speech at Junior Assembly next Monday. Mae from our room won first place.  Congratulations Mae!

More Photos of Wig Day

Wig Wednesday was great fun and a wonderful fundraiser for the Child Cancer Foundation.  

We raised over $1000!

Thank you so much for your support.

Wig Wednesday

Wig Wednesday is almost here!  This is a school fundraiser for kiwi kids with cancer. We would really like to encourage donations of all sizes.  Our goal is $1000.  If we reach $1000 then Mr Muthoo will wear a groovy wig on road patrol!

If you'd like to know more about this nation wide fundraiser ...

click here to Wig Wednesday at the Child Cancer website

Photos from Motat Trip

Room 19 took a trip to MOTAT - The Museum Of Transport And Technology. 

This was part of our Inquiry Learning about Inventions and Inventors.  Sadly I could not go on the trip myself, but it sounded like everyone had a very cool time and learnt so much in the process.

Awards

Well done Thasshvin and Nathan for excellence in Written Language.