Our video is a snapshot of activities that were created by the classroom teachers at Wairakei Primary School during Matariki celebrations.
The junior school (Year 1-2 ) students explain their understanding of Matariki and how it was celebrated within the school. Riley shared his Pepeha very confidently. McKenzie talked about the stars that her class had created to showcase their repeating patterns. Emma, Jake and Lilee talked about new words they have learnt in Māori and what they have been learning about during this period.
The middle school (Year 3-4) students talked about what they enjoyed about Matariki celebrations. Victoria explained that weaving was her favourite activity and also watching other children in her class come up with creative designs. Zoe and Scarlet presented their myth and legend about Maui and the Sun and wanted to continue telling this story so that it does not get forgotten. Finally, Isobel and Amelia presented their waiata and actions about the seven sisters of Matariki.
Our senior school (Year 5-6) student Ciana and expressed her enjoyment of doing specific artwork in her classroom. Tori and Madison talked about researching Matariki and finding out that some stories talk about 7 stars and some talk about 9 stars. Mikayla and Malia explained that they enjoyed making Māori bread, weaving stars out of harakeke (flax) and reading Matariki stories.
The activities that were displayed in the classrooms covered a range of curriculum areas such as Matariki maths to weaving with harakeke.
Celebrating Matariki provides another opportunity for the school to exhibit its commitment in providing opportunities for students to experience Te Reo and Māori tikanga.
Keywords: Te Reo Māori, New Zealand Curriculum, Matariki, Student Voice.
Attributed to: Margo Clark, Wairakei Primary School teachers.
Curriculum links: Te Reo Māori, Literacy, Visual Arts,
Key competencies: Managing self, Participating and contributing.
The Wairakei Way
Wairakei Primary School’s Power 4 Learning team, made of teachers’, support staff and board members, have introduced a POWER song, titled ‘The Wairakei Way’ to the school. This POWER song was written in collaboration with Matua Lawerance, Whaea Margo and adapted by Melissa Issaccson.
Wairakei Primary School’s POWER values are important to all teachers’, students’ and the wider community, and ‘The Wairakei Way’ reminds everyone of these values. POWER has been the school values since 2009, Pride, Opportunity, Whanau, Excellent and Respect and the team have added POWER for Self, Others and Environment.
The Wairakei Way was developed to kick start POWER 4 Learning at the start of 2020, and to spark enthusiasm throughout the school. It reminds all of the school to keep trying hard, aspire to be the best learners they can be, and focus on being a POWER citizen now and in the future.
Wairakei Primary School is excited to share the POWER song with the whole community. Song audio available here and practise the song, then come along and join us singing ‘The Wairakei Way’ in our assemblies.
Wairakei Primary School students and staff enjoy sharing learning and celebrating events that have occurred throughout the past year in our National Anthem video. The whole school views this video at every assembly and sings along with pride. It is great to see the looks of concentration and smiling faces of all our tamariki.