Saturday 30 October 2010

Ka Mau Te Wehi!!

We all arrived at school by 5.45am to catch the bus down to the Putangitangi Kapa Haka Competitions in Invercargill.  If you have never been to a Kapa Haka competition before it can be quite a culture shock.  Although our school was the first primary school in the Wakatipu basin to compete in a Kapa Haka competition, we were determined to show Invercargill what we were made of and as a tutor of the roopu, I believe our students displayed a standard beyond their experience.  It is through their sheer hardwork and commitment that they were able to look and sound like they did on stage.  Well done!!
Congratulations to our tamariki for winning their section and thank you to Whaea Cel for her hardwork and commitment.  Bring on next year!!

Slide show to come!



Wednesday 27 October 2010

Final Putangtangi Information for Parents

Raapa, rua tekau ma whitu o Whiringa-a nuku
Wednesday, 27 October 2010

Dear Parents/caregivers,

RE:    PUTANGITANGI KAPA HAKA FESTIVAL, INVERCARGILL

We are nearly there with everything.  There are just a few things that you will need to know for Friday, 29 October 2010.

Departure and Returning Times
Could you please ensure your children are dressed in their tracksuits with everything they need for the day. They need to be  ready to board the bus by 5.45am.  I do not want to be waiting around for anyone as the bus will leave at 6.00am.  We estimate that the bus will return to school by 7.00pm.  Please call me on 021925255 if you need to contact me.

Food/Kai
As I mentioned in the last newsletter, children are not to bring sweets or fizzy drinks with them.  They are away from home for 13 hours and need to have sufficient sustenance and water.  I do not want the children leaving the Civic Centre and looking for food to buy so they will not require any money on the trip.

Whanau Support
This is a big deal for our school to be competing in a Kapa Haka competition.  We are the only school in the Wakatipu Basin to have done this and our children are a credit to the community.  It would be fabulous to have some of our families/whanau giving these amazing children of ours the support they so deserve.  We do have a few seats on the bus so please let me know if you would like to come as we would love to have you.

Hair
If your child has long hair, they need to have it either pulled off their face with hairclips or up in a bun or a ponytail.  The judges need to see the students’ faces.

Pounamu(Greenstone)/Whale Bone Pendants
Each member of the group needs to have either a Pounamu or a bone pendant to wear on stage.  If you are able to borrow one for your child to use, that would be great.  I have a few that I can lend to students if you do not know anyone to borrow from. Just give me a call and let me know as soon as possible.

Acknowledgements
The preparation for this competition has clocked up a lot of time and hard work for some people.  I must thank Cel Mikaere and her whanau for the long hours of making poi and headwear accessories over the weekend.  Cel Mikaere has children at Remarkables Primary School and Wakatipu High School.  She has been coming along sometimes 3 – 4 times a week to assist me with the group since the second term.  I could not have done it with out her. Thank you to Margaret Young(our ‘Super Woman’ office lady) for her time and effort with adjusting and making more uniforms in the last week.  Thank you so much to Chris Hall who has organised the tracksuits, bags, uniforms(also includes the ironing of the uniforms) for our children.  Thank you to Jackie Leat for making another korowai(Feather cloak) for Sophie Morris to wear on the day and finally thank you to Michelle Ngata for donating some of the feathers for the earrings

It has been a huge build up for our first Kapa Haka competition and I know it will not be the last.  Your children are paving the way.  Kia kaha to them!!

Please contact me on karenn@arrowtown.school.nz should you have any concerns or questions.

Kind regards



Karen S Neill
Performing Arts / Te Reo Maori Teacher

Monday 18 October 2010

Utaina - Whaea Cel and Sheree



LEADER:          U-tai-na

ROOPU:            a-hi!

LEADER:          U-tai-na

ROOPU:            a-hi!

ALL:                 A Utaina mai

                           Nga iwi o te motu

                           Ki runga Wakatipu e tau nei

LEADER:          A hiki nuku e

ROOPU:            A hiki rangi e

LEADER:          A hiki rangi e

ROOPU:            A hiki nuku e

ALL:                 I ha! Ha! Ha!

                        Ka hikitia tana iwi

                        Ka hapainga tana waka

                        Aue! Aue! Aue! Ha!
                        
                        Aue! Aue! Aue! Ha!

                        HI!

Friday 15 October 2010

Latest Information on the Putangtangi Festival 2010

Ramere, tekau ma rima o Whiringa-a-nuku
Friday, 15 October 2010

Dear Parents/caregivers,

RE:  PUTANGITANGI FESTIVAL, FRIDAY 29 OCTOBER 2010

Here is the latest information for the festival which is nearly upon us.

Please take a seat before you read this as it is going to be a very early start for our tamariki on the day.

The bus will be leaving school no later than 6.00am.  Please do not be late as we NEED to be at the Civic Centre in Invercargill by 9.00am.  I want the tamariki to experience as much of the festival as possible.  We are scheduled to leave the festival at 4.00pm and expect to be back at school by 7.00pm. These festivals can run behind but we WILL be leaving at 4.00pm and NO LATER!

Most of the roopu have mobile phones.  They will call you if you need to know about any changes with times.  My mobile number is 021925255.

The children need to bring enough kai(food) to last them the entire day.  They will be away from home for 13 hours. Please do not load them up with sweets and fizzy drinks.  These will be confiscated if we find that the tamariki have any in their possession. I would appreciate food with sustenance. They will also need a couple of water bottles.  Please let us know if anyone needs medication etc.

The programme is as follows:

Please be seated by 9am.
Please note that visitors will not be permitted to enter the stalls or circle while groups are performing. The performances will be screened live in the foyer, via video transmission for people to view while they are waiting.

9.00am
Karakia
Te Hau Kainga
9.15am
Junior Section
Fernworth Primary
Newfield Park School
St Patrick’s Invercargill
Bluff Community
10.20am
Intermediate Section
New River Primary
Waverley Park School
Te Wharekura o Arowhenua
St Patrick’s Invercargill
Newfield Park School
Fernworth Primary
Riverton Primary School
Mataura School
Bluff Community
1.20pm
Novice Section
Arrowtown School
Wyndham Primary
1.50pm
Senior Section
Bluff Community School
Te Wharekura o Arowhenua
Aurora College
2.50pm
Whakangahau
Queenstown Primary
St Joesph’s
Windsor North School
3.20pm
Prize Giving
Novice
Junior
Intermediate
Senior
4.00pm
Karakia Whakamutunga



Programme times are approximate and may be subject to change
NO EATING in the theatre please

Please do not forget the rehearsal tomorrow(Saturday, 16 October 2010) for the group. Tamariki need to be there at 10am with their lunch and we finish at 3pm.

Thank you and please do not hesitate to ring me on 021925255 should you have any concerns.  I am lecturing at the Queenstown Resort College tonight(Friday) so will not be able to answer any calls between 7-9pm.

Kind regards

Karen S Neill
Performing Arts/ Te Reo Maori Teacher

Thursday 14 October 2010

Poi Rehearsals

Here is a snippet of some of our girls rehearsing their poi for the Putangitangi Festival in two weeks with the talented Whaea Cel.

Tuesday 12 October 2010

Rehearsal Schedule for the Putangtangi Festival

Here is a copy of the letter that was sent home to whanau at the end of the second to last week of term three.

Ramere, tekau ma whitu o Mahuru
Friday, 17 September 2010

Dear Parents/caregivers,

RE:     PUTANGITANGI KAPA HAKA FESTIVAL, INVERCARGILL

Our school has been invited to enter a group into the above festival on Friday, 29 October 2010.

Your child has indicated an interest in wanting to participate in the festival.  Due to the limited time we have, I have drawn up a rehearsal schedule below.  As you will see, along with the lunchtime rehearsals, there will be a 10.00am – 3pm session on Saturday, 16 October. 

DATE
TIME
VENUE
Monday, 20 September
12.40 – 1.30
Tuesday, 21 September
12.40 – 1.30
Performing Arts Room
Thursday, 23 September
  1.00 – 3.00
HALL
Monday, 11 October
12.40 – 1.30
Performing Arts Room
Tuesday, 12 October
12.40 – 1.30
Performing Arts Room
Thursday, 14 October
12.45 – 2.15
Performing Arts Room
Saturday, 16 October
10.00 – 3.00
HALL(Please bring lunch)
Monday, 18 October
12.40 – 1.30
Performing Arts Room
Tuesday, 19 October
12.40 – 1.30
Performing Arts Room
Thursday, 21 October
  1.00 – 3.00
HALL
Tuesday, 26 October
12.40 – 1.30
HALL
Wednesday, 27 October
To be advised
HALL
Thursday, 28 October
To be advised
HALL


A couple of the students in the group have already informed me of family holidays that clash with some of these dates. They have assured me they will work hard both at home and at the sessions they can be there for.  I am more than happy with that.

Fortunately there will not be a cost due to the grant I received from the Lotteries Board last year which was especially gifted for this festival.

The group will be travelling down to Invercargill by bus.  A letter will be sent out during the first week of term four with all the details. 

Please contact me on karenn@arrowtown.school.nz should you have any concerns or questions.

Monday 11 October 2010

Te Aroha



Te Aroha By Room 7


Te Aroha                      The love

Te Whakapono            The faith

Te Rangimarie              The peace

Tatou, tatou e              To everyone

(Music Accompaniment: Flynn on BASS, TeAna on GUITAR, Bella on DRUMS and Lydia on KEYBOARD)