Te Ao Maori

On Friday afternoon we all met in the quad and Miss Mikaere welcomed us and our visitors for Te Ao Maori afternoon. She said a karakia and then we were split into 4 Whanau groups. Our groups were mixed ages from year 0-13 so we were working with some people who we had never worked with before. It was really cool

The four groups were 'Flax Weaving', 'Art', "Kapa Haka' and 'Kai.'

 Here is Kurt at flax weaving.

 Jay tries to make sense of the instructions as he makes his own flax head band.

 Regen has the hang of it. Each student had to weave two things because it is tradition to give away the first thing that you weave.

 George concentrates very hard.

 Alex is really enjoying the opportunity to try flax weaving.

 Rylee uses the instructions to help her out.

Connie watches very closely as Jennie shows her what to do next.

Rubie checks out a flax bag that Lydia has brought along to show as an example.

William works away, following the pattern carefully.

Lucie is in the Home Ec room where they are making Riwai bread, using a mashed potato base that has been germinating for a week

Max was completely unimpressed by the smell of the bread mixture.

Mrs Benington helps out with the group.

Hamish and Liam are very pleased to be making bread today with the Kai group.

Emma waits patiently for the next step in the bread making process.

Blake helps out with some dishes over at the sink.

Jenaya measures out a cup of mixture to add to the flour...

Mac can NOT stand the smell!!!!!

Lucy is learning the actions for their new waiata in the Kapa Haka group.

Lucy watches very carefully for the next action in their new song.

Abby is having a wonderful time singing and dancing...

and so is Jessica....

and Paris too!!!

Miss Mikaere helps Alex with the finishing stages of her flax headband.

Mrs O gives Rylee a hand.

There is lots of discussion about what to do next and how best to proceed.

Then Mrs O gets it all sorted and she gives Rylee a helping hand.

Connie has a great time working on her headband.

Eventually we all returned to Room 4 very happy with our efforts for Friday afternoon. Our flax weavers had completed a fabulous head band each, our Kai group had baked some delicious Riwai bread and our Kapa Haka group had been busy singing and making poi. It was a wonderful afternoon and we very much look forward to week 8 when we get to go back to our groups again!

Pst! There was also an awesome group working away in the art room on a spectacular project. We didn't have any room 4 students in that group this time round, but as soon as there are we will be bringing you some photos of their awesome activity!!