Trip to Te Papa

As part of our study on Pre European New Zealand history, the Junior Syndicate travelled by bus to Te Papa.  We learnt about the early voyage to New Zealand and how the  Maori adapted to their new environment.  We went into the Maori section of the museum to see how they lived, how they built their homes (whare) and what the early canoes looked like.  Unfortunately, we were not allowed to take photos.  After a busy morning we were very hungry and certainly enjoyed our lunch outside.

Run-a-thon

Our yearly run-a-thon took place on Monday 23^rd May and the children were very excited to take part.  The rain cleared in time for our run around the courts and the children ran as many circuits as they could in a set number of minutes.

Playing in the bark area

Once again the trucks, cars and tractors have been brought out at lunchtime.  We are having enormous fun playing in this barked area in our playground.

Traditional Maori music instruments

Last week, a special visitor called Alistair Fraser came to our school assembly.  Alistair is a musician of Taonga Puoro (Sacred Voices).  He brought with him a large variety of traditional Maori musical instruments made from natural resources found in the forests and on the beaches ((shells, stones, bones etc).  We were all amazed at the range of sound produced from these instruments.

Matariki

Our Matariki celebrations took place on Thursday 16^th June and involved the whole school.  We all gathered together in the school hall for a special assembly.  We watched a video clip about the importance of Matariki and the Kapa Haka group gave a wonderful performance..   Then children throughout the school were cross grouped into activity groups.  In Rooms 1/2 we made a kakahu out of paper feathers and a koru circular pattern.  In Room 3 the children learnt about the story of the Battle of the Mountains and made their own mountain designs.  In Room 4 they learnt how to weave and made woven flowers out of flax.

Waharoa

Last year, one of our parents, Jake Yocum  carved a beautiful waharoa (entrance way), which was placed at the entrance of our school on Hamilton Road.  This carving represented the legend of Ngake and Whataitai.  This year, Ray Ahipene- Mercer from the Wellington City Council came to our assembly to retell the story.  As part of our Matariki celebrations, some of our children helped Jake design and carve new pillars which have been placed beneath the original carving.  As a school, we all walked out through the car park and back under the waharoa.

Cultural Diversity Day

On 17^th May,  Kilbirnie School  celebrated Cultural Diversity Day by holding special assembly. Over ninety children from twenty seven different cultural backgrounds introduced themselves to the school in their own language and a some wore their traditional costumes.  Following the assembly, we went back into our syndicates for a shared lunch of food that represented our own culture.  Lunch was so yummy!