Kia ora koutou parents and whānau.
Did you know your location in the country can determine which star marks the Māori new year? Since Matariki is the name of the public holiday, you may not be aware that another new year star exists.
Puanga (Rigel) is one of the brightest stars in our sky. Located above the constellation known as Tautoru, or Orion’s Belt, Puanga marks the new year for many Māori. Iwi and hapū from the west coast of Northland, Taranaki, Whanganui and Rangitīkei, parts of Wellington, and the South Island use Puanga to mark the new year.
Location has a lot to do with the use of this star because Matariki rises in the pre-dawn above the eastern horizon which means it’s hidden from view for those on the west with mountainous land in between.
Puanga/Matariki brings the past year to a close and marks the beginning of the new year and historically, was closely tied to planting, harvesting and hunting.
However this is also a time for:
Remembrance – Honouring those we have lost since the last rising of Matariki
Celebrating the present – Gathering together to give thanks for what we have
Looking to the future – Looking forward to the promise of a new year
Over this long weekend, I hope that you get to capture a little of the essence of this special time through whatever you have planned.
Kia pai tō rā whakatā. Have a great weekend!
Ryves
Congratulations to those children recognised by their class teacher for a Vogeltowner Award. This is a tradition that began many years ago and following this assembly we will have recognised an amazing 663 Vogeltowners since 2012!
These children have been selected because they consistently present the best version of themselves and bring to life our school vision of manaaki whenua, manaaki tangata, haere whakamua; and also our IROCK values of inclusive, respectful, original, courageous, and kind.
Well done to all the kids who received this award, you certainly deserve it!
Taranaki (Junior) Syndicate:
Room 1: Xavier O’Neill
Room 1: Nellie Stone
Room 3: Season-Rose Niwa-Smith
Room 3: Mack Cozens
Room 4: Paddy Yukich
Room 4: Trevor Daming
Room 5: Amber Hawkridge
Room 5: Sophie Bush
Room 6: Thomasin Coates
Room 6: Marlow Coutts
Room 7: Macson Korff
Room 7: Tayah-Jane McLeod
Huatoki (Middle) Syndicate:
Room 13: Isabella Gatenby
Room 13: Zavier Steer
Room 14: Lucy Lett
Room 14: William Palliser
Room 15: Felicity Donovan
Room 15: Carter Cross
Room 16: Maggie Stone
Room 16: Alba O’Donovan
Paetoki (Senior) Syndicate:
Room 8: Emelia Gooch
Room 8: Tetabo Nakaoti
Room 9: Zoey Flay
Room 9: Liam Van Zyl
Room 10: Audrey Coutts
Room 10: Jaxon Smith
Room 11: Emily Bush
Room 11: Olivia Palliser
Room 12: Willow Walker
Room 12: Elsie Stone
It is important that we know if you have a child starting school sometime in the remainder of this year. This will allow us to put organisation in place for new students - especially those starting school, and to understand our predicted roll throughout the year.
You can do this by contacting the office to confirm that we have your child on our records, or by completing an enrolment form (which can be collected from the school or downloaded off our website).
If you know of anyone else living in zone that may be looking to enrol then please share this message with them.
