Mr Blakey, Room 14 and Harakeke

Whaea Saf took us down to the creek where there is some beautiful harakeke growing by the stream. She sang a lovely karakia before telling us which strands of harakeke we could cut: Not the baby in the middle, nor its parents on either side, but the grandparents on the outside.
After she'd cut some off, she showed us how to weave a star (which is what we'll be doing next week) and how to make a "clapper" which used to be given to kids to keep them busy while mum weaved. We carefully collected up the flax that had been cut and took it back to class.

Check out some pics of our awesome activity:  Reported by Mr Blakey

Whanaungatanga Hui - celebrating Matariki

Last Friday evening, we held our first Whanaungatanga Hui for the year.  It was a great opportunity for us to meet and greet as Māori Whānau and also to celebrate the Māori New Year - Matariki.

A number of whānau attended where we introduced ourselves, talked about where we are from and who our tamariki/mokopuna are attending PES.  Whānau were given booklets to read and give us feedback on how we move forward as whānau to support our kura and tamariki.

The students played in the hall with Miss Va'afusuaga looking after them or some read quietly in our school library while whānau introduced themselves in the Staffroom.

After all the korero, we had karakia and shared kai.  It was lovely to meet two new whānau to the community.  After our kai we cleaned up and finished our hui at 8.30pm.  What an enjoyable hui.  Thank you to the whānau who attended and also to the whānau who sent in their apologies.  He mihi aroha ki a koe Miss Va'afusuaga for your tautoko too.

Our next Hui will be in a couple of weeks so keep Wednesday 1st July free from 5.45pm onwards.  Nau mai haere mai whānau!

Middle Kapa Haka Group

Our Year 5/6's have a new kapa haka kaiako called Whaea Paddy.  The tamariki LOVE her.  She has taught them a new himene called 'Te Atua' in only 2 weeks.  Their singing is ataahua and we are very proud and blessed to have Whaea come and share her taonga.

Here's a karaoke version of their new himene.  Learn and practise and please come and sing it to Ms Tito, Whaea Saf or Whaea Paddy.  Ka pai!


Te Atua from Team 5 PES on Vimeo.