Staffing Update - Welcome back to Joe Murray

Matua Joe has led the Kapa Haka now for a
number of years,  it is great to have him back making
a difference to our children and our school.

I'm delighted to announce that Matua Joe Murray is our new Maintenance/Groundsperson and Kapa Haka tutor. Joe is a former parent of our kura and is well-known in the Tiori whanau for his amazing work in supporting and leading our Kapa Haka.

Joe is leading both junior and senior Kapa Haka and we will continue this into 2011. This is an exciting development in strengthening our kura.

Welcome back Matua.

Cultural Festival Dress Rehearsal Movie

Cultural Festival here we come

Today our kapa haka had a full dress rehearsal in their preparations for the Christchurch Schools Cultural Festival performance on Friday 3 September - only one week away! The tamariki did a great job. Below are some shots taken of earlier practises leading up to today's shots taken during the rehearsal. Thanks Nicola for helping with this:

We are incredibly appreciative of Matua Joe Murray who is supporting us towards this important event for our kura. I would also like to thank Whaiea Karina for supporting our wahine to learn their poi routine and Tama Andrew for the amazing lyrics and programme he has put together.

New Kapa Haka Tutor

I'm both sad and excited with this announcement. Joe Murray, our kapa haka tutor, is unable to continue in this role of kapa haka tutor at our school due to changing work comittments.

We have been lucky enough to secure the support of SSgt Tama Andrew, the cultural liaison officer for the Third Land Force Group, as our new kapa haka tutor. Tama has agreed to tautoku (support) us while we search for a more permanent person to lead and develop this awesome group in our school. Tama is a highly experienced kapa haka tutor and we are delighted to have his expertise in our school.

Tama we welcome you to our team and look forward to learning from and with you.

Wananga Taiaha 2010

Here is an awesome opportunity for our children - the 2010 Wānanga Taiaha course which is held during Easter weekend.

Click this link to download the brochure as a PDF document.

Registrations for this close Friday 20 March.

Cultural Festival Performance - Wow!

Yesterday I had the pleasure of attending the Cultural Festival. It was great to see such proud, confident and incredibly talented young people. The performances were truly inspiring. I can't wait to join the school and start learning with these talented tamariki.

I'd like to acknowledge the leadership and commitment of Matua Joe Murray, our kapahaka tutor, as well as the dedication and support of Sandra Keenan and Linda Sweeny, two of our amazing teachers.

There are some initial photos from the festival here...

If you want to order the DVD, click here to download an order form...

TE ATUA
Te Atua tapu o ngā tapu
ki a Ihu te kororia te honore
Te Atua te mana hareruia
i heke mai te maunga tapu ki
Te Atua tapu o ngā tapu
i mate nei a ihu e te kingi nui
i mate nei a ihu e te kingi nui
Amine

We are like the raindrops on the land, and we are learning our language to keep our Māori culture alive. Kia ora Koutou.

Good luck for the Cultural Festival

Kia ora koutou tamariki ma,

Just a short note to wish you all the best for your final preparations for the performance at the Town Hall on Friday. I know you have worked really hard and that it is very important to you and the school. I'm very much looking forward to seeing you perform!

You will be kauanuanu - amazing.

Matua Rob