B...b...beach! B...b...butter!

 The focus sound of the week in Harakeke was 'b'. We did a range of things focusing on this sound including a trip to the beach. The intention was to go in search of mauri for our class - but Tawhirimātea and Tangaroa had different ideas!

We stood on top of a bank of stones as Tawhirimātea whipped around us with Tangaroa racing up the bank to tickle our toes! 

Loads of wild stone throwing and excitement! 

Then playing in billions of beautiful bubbles!!

Followed up by a bit of butter making at the end of the week.

We have been very concerned by hearing from some tamariki that cream comes from a can! We had a great discussion about where cream comes from - before pouring some out into a bowl. Then began beating with a good old-fashioned 'egg-beater'. Bit of co-ordination needed there e te whānau! Looks of wriggly fun!

Lots of kōrero, lots of taking turns, lots of manaakitanga.

It took a long time... but we began to see some changes...

Then a change in colour and the curds separating from the whey - BUTTER!!!!

Of course we couldn't waste it! 

Tino reka!

Sandpit Update...

 We have so enjoyed watching the progress of the new sandpit. A tamaiti will notice... "I can hear a truck!" and we would race outside to see what was happening!

Things got VERY exciting the day the sand arrived...

We will be doing an official 'sand pit opening' in the new term...

Watch this space!

Bad Jelly the Witch

 During our celebrations of Matariki we were invited to Te Kāreti o Ōtaki - Ōtaki College by a class of drama students. They wanted to share the play "Bad Jelly the Witch" with us.

It was a lovely performance - an amazing opportunity for tamariki to experience live theatre - and the joy of being able to interact!

Mānawatia a Matariki

We celebrate Matariki every year starting with a full school disco on the night of the tuakana noho. The tuakana stay on afterwards for a night full of music and games (spotlight is a firm favourite!).

The pō kanikani is an opportunity to celebrate the tau hou (new year) together as a whānau, with many mātua (parents) coming to help out on the night - or just to dance the night away with tamariki.

The following morning we come together again as a full kura to celebrate the rise of Matariki. We had a little bit of rain this year so were unable to view the kahui whetū (constellation) - but the rain did little to dampen the celebration. It was a moring full of meaning as we farewelled those that passed in the year and celebrated the new born tamariki that have joined us.

Following the ceremonies we come together in the Whare Manaaki (school hall) and eat breakfast together. 

Later in the day we made whetū hei whakanuia a Matariki anō (stars to celebrate Matariki).

Ko Rangi Ko Papa - i te timatanga...

 As we looked towards Matariki we looked at the relationshipship between Rangi and Papatūānuku. We learnt the karakia ko Rangi, ko Papa and learnt about the orokohanga (the creation) of Matariki. 

We read the story about the separation of Rangi and Papa by their sons and extended the kōrero by talking about the deep sadness Tawhirimātea felt about the separation.

We decided to recreate this kōrero in a kiriata to share with the kura during our Matariki celebrations.

We began by making some masks for the kōrero.

Then over a few days filmed the different scenes. The tamariki of Harakeke were excited to see themselves on the 'big screen' at Hui-a-kura (school assembly).

Kaitiakitanga - taking care of Papatūānuku

 Continuing on with our kaupapa of Kaitiakitanga - Harakeke have been preparing one of our maara this week for spring. We have sown a range of seeds as a green manure crop. The seeds will greminate and grow and then will be dug in to rot down before planting our summer flowers and food. Adding nutrients and building up the soil so we can grow strong healthy plants.

We watered in the seeds before covering them with some pea straw.

SUPER Sandpit!

 Some VERY exciting is happening at Ōtaki School! The biggest sandpit this side of the beach is being built at the playground on the back field. We have enjoyed watching the progress. We have had a close up look at the concrete pour, as well as devlivery of materials for boxing up the sides of the sandpit.

We are hoping to open it before the end of term 🤞🤞