Yr 5/6 Kapa Haka

Our Year 5/6 Kapa Haka group meet every Thursdays after morning tea in our school hall.  They are a lovely roopu and Whaea Saf loves teaching them.  Today they were perfecting their 'e oho' waiata and actions. 

Room 11's e oho practice!

Here's some footage taken during Room 11's Te Reo session with Whaea Saf today.  They are practicing our waiata tira for next week's Hōkūlea and Hikianalia waka visit.  Aren't they awesome!


IMG 1820 from Team 3 PES on Vimeo.

Only one week to go before Hōkūle'a and Hikianalia come ashore onto Ukutoia!

Matua Patrick was away last week so after our karakia, we started our practise discussing some of the logistics for the day. 

We then split into groups and worked with some of the leaders going over kupu and actions.  The rest of the leaders went outside to distract the rest of the school with their awesome chanting.  Thank you to the wonderful staff from other schools who stepped in to tautoko students by helping them gain confidence with the waiata tira.

The Ngā waka waiata is sounding great.  This weeks practice will involve the taiaha being used to keep us all in time with the chant so it will be interesting.

E oho wero!

During our 'E oho' practise last week we split into roopu/groups.  There were 4 schools per roopu and they went away and gave the waiata tira some kaha/strength.  They then came back and performed for each of the other roopu before coming together.  Here's the result of their mahi/work.

E oho wero from Team 5 PES on Vimeo.

Aloha Captain Kālepa Baybayan

As some of you know we are REALLY looking forward to the Mālama Honua visit later this Month.  We may have two waka come into Pt England Beach and we are very excited.

Today we met the Captain and Pwo (master) navigator Kālepa Baybayan and his wonderful crew.  They came to check out our school and the beach, to make sure it was safe to bring their waka ashore.

Our junior Kapa Haka group were privaledged to sing to them while they were being shown around our kura.  They sang beautifully, we are proud of our tamariki.

We then had a video call with Naalehu Anthony & Miki Tomita in Hawaii regarding the visit in Russell's office.  Everything is coming together nicely for this fantastic event.  Watch this space for updates.

Mau rakau 2015

Our first mau rakau class started last week taken by Mr Gemmell. We realised that a number of students forgot about our after school practise so we are hoping for a few more students this week.

We had a very special presentation during our first class also. We have one student who is now Year 8 who attended last years classes. His name is Iisa Salie. Mr Gemmell and I wanted to do something special for Iisa because of his dedication and commitment shown last year. Iisa now has his very own taiaha which was named by Mr Gemmell - It's name is 'Tira', maybe you can ask Iisa about Tira?

We look forward to seeing the development of our students mau rakau skills. So, watch this space!  They are currently learning the Ahai.

Iisa with "Tira" his new taiaha

Mau rakau 2015