Taupo The Trip of a Life time

What an amazing trip we had from start to finish. It was totally the "bomb" and everyone who was involved had a Mean Maori Mean time. It all started months ago with planning and organisation by the teachers, administration, staff and whanau. The actual thought for the trip came about several years before. All in all it was awesome! Nga mihi nui ki a Ma Cynthia and Whaea Nicky for allowing us to come into your ataahua marae and meet your lovely whanau. Nga mihi nui hoki ki a Whaea Sue Dawson and Matua Dudley and the BOT for supporting us in these wonderful experiences. The students will go away with many happy memories and moments. Tuwharetoa maranga mai!

Raapa - Te Ra Tuatahi

Karakia is of the up most importance. 

We were very privileged to have matua Alec start us off in prayer. We had all the support of our parents and TWA students and teachers join us in karakia. Whaea Sue Dawson gave a beautiful speech which set the tone for a wonderful trip.

Having all the whanau in support. Nga mihi nui!

Everyone lends a hand in TWA with the luggage and food. Mauri ora!

Our first stop was at Taupiri maunga. We shared korero about who was buried at the maunga and many students and teachers had whanau there. We talked about the Kingitanga and the Waikato river. We ended with a karakia. He piko he taniwha, He piko, he piko he taniwha.

Ko Taupiri te Maunga

Hatu Patu's Rock

After having kai at Cambridge, we traveled further on until we came to Hatu Patu's rock. There are a few versions of the korero and it was interesting to hear them. We gave a koha such as a leaf or fern and placed it in the rock for good luck and safe travels. Later, we sang waiata and did a haka.

Called on to the marae Pukawa

When we arrived at Pukawa marae we were treated to some awesome Tuwharetoa hospitatlity. After the powhiri, we were given a lovely kai that hit the spot. Afterwards, we were given the history of Pukawa marae and the many stories of how the tribes of Aotearoa link to each other.

Potatau Te Wherowhero the first Maori King

Pukawa is the place of where the first Maori king was decided. In all the carvings the major tribes of Aotearoa were represented from the far north to the south island. It was an awesome first day of our trip.

Matariki is coming

Next term folks our overall topic will be MATARIKI. We will have many interesting adventures and learning experiences. It will be full on with the mahi. Students will be setting their goals to reach higher levels in math, reading, writing, sports, inquiry learning, Te Reo Maori me ona Tikanga. Mauri ora ki a koutou katoa!

Our Place Our Photos

Check out "Our Place" and "Our Photos"

Our Place

Our topic for this term is "Our Place". In Te Whanau Awhina, when we talk about this, we like to show off our whare nui, waharoa and all the carvings around our lovely school. We also enjoy our playground, the school field, harakeke bushes and so on. We are very lucky that "Our Place" is so special. 

Haka Time!

The boys just love doing haka for the many guests that come to our kura. This time we had whaea Miriama and Whaea Renee come and talk to our class and the boys wanted to do their thing. Mauri ora!

Have a look at some photos of our past MARAE NOHO. The girls were learning how to do the karanga for welcoming guests for dinner and supper while the boys were learning how to use the mau rakau. Mauri ora whanau!

Kia ora! Kia ora! Read all about it!
CDL - For Year 5 and Year 6 Tuakana!

This is an absolutely awesome programme where students learn to be great students for their class, school and community through learning new leadership skills.We are lucky to have 6 students from our class room involved in this programme - They are Jahmal, Dallas, Jada, Kody, John and Charlez.