Speeches 2014

This week is the senior speeches. Students in room 23 have been thinking about famous people in the Maori world. Their speeches are based on Maori leaders that have contributed positively to Aotearoa. The other week, we had a lawyer, chef and actor come to Te Whanau Awhina to talk about their jobs. We look forward to someone special in room 23 to do their speech this week. Nga mihi nui!

Taupo Trip of a life time Day 2

It is the second day and we had a jam packed time. We were up early and had an awesome breakfast thanks to our parents, whanau and support team. They were all up late last night preparing the students lunches and snacks.

Making them sandwiches

Preparing a hearty breakfast

In the morning, we had Matua Sonny come in and give us the korero about the hui of when the King was decided. He later took the students down to the kohatu where a memorial was placed.

This is the memorial where the first Maori king was decided

After that, we went to Tapeka Marae and heard the korero of the Paramount chiefs of Tuwharetoa and looked at the beautiful church and hot pools by the side of lake Taupo.

Rory having an awesome time while travelling to Tapeka marae.  I have to say that all the students did TWA very proud with their excellent behaviour and performances for the hau kainga and parents.

Walking to the church at Tapeka Marae

Looking at the beautiful lake Taupo at the side of Tapeka Marae

Next, we made a stop at the Taupo Trout Fishery centre, before making our way to the Chateau visitor centre at the base of Mount Ruapehu.

At the fishery information centre

Walking around the fishery area

Walking around the fishery bush walk

Now the star of the show is Mount Ruapehu. We were very lucky to have matua Sonny for the whole day to give us the korero everywhere we went on day 2. Nga mihi nui!

The rush is on to feel the snow

Exciting! Everyone was a buzz and for some this was their first time touching snow

Way up the top of the mountain

A model of the sacred mountains of Tuwharetoa

Even though there was not much snow on the mountain, we were very honoured to be there and everyone had an awesome time running around and playing with the snow pockets lying around. It was wickedly cold and we felt the crisp cold wind. We then went down to the Tokaanu hot pools to have some kai and then relax in the hot springs.

Nice relaxing at the hot pools

fun at the hot pools

It was awesome at the hot pools and we then went back to the marae to prepare for the po whakangahau and perform for the hau kainga and have our disco. Our parents prepared kai while we practised our kapa haka and had several games of spot light around the marae. Dallas proved to be very allusive!

It was a pleasure to perform for matua Sonny and the hau kainga at Pukawa marae. He shared lots of stories about Tuwharetoa history. Nga mihi nui!

Ka kite ano whaea Ana

It is hard to say goodbye, but tomorrow will be whaea Ana's last day with Pukeko Class. We have thoroughly enjoyed having you in our class and teaching us many things. Our class room looks magnificient with all the fabulous art work. We appreciate how you taught us about fractions too. We all know which fractions match which pictures. There are many more things you have taught us and we are so grateful and wish you all the best in the future. Nga mihi nui ki a koe whaea Ana!

Here are some pictures of our farewell presentation and kai. Our girls did the karanga to welcome whaea into the whare nui and sang some lovely waiata after our many speeches. Those that spoke included Calais, Luanne, Puna, Shannon, John, Dallas, Shaniqua and Merani. Later, the boys did some haka and we were then called into the kitchen for kai. Big thanks to our pakeke for supporting us too. They were Christina, Te Awhina, Eva and Matariki. You gals and guys ROCK! Mauri ora!

Our girls replying to the karanga welcome 

Coming into Te Whare Awhina

Nga Kaikaranga o Te Whanau Awhina

Haka Powhiri with John leading

Giving thanks and insights of her journey with Pukeko Class

Haka tautoko

Presented with gifts and cards from Pukeko Class

Kai time in the whare kai - Te Korowai aroha a Rahera

A big THANK YOU to all the parents that supported our kaupapa today and provided some delicious kai for whaea Ana's farewell. Mauri ora ki a koutou katoa!

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Te Whanau Awhina Pride!

For some reason the students in Pukeko and Kereru classes decided to haka it out during lunch time. They had their shirts off and were showing their TWA pride. Of all places to haka, they started doing it at the playground and then went around the school. It is awesome to have pride, but we must also remember to be humble too. Nga mihi nui!