From the Principal 17 June 2022

Matariki hunga. Matariki ahunga nui.

Matariki has many admirers. Matariki brings us together.

It is significant that we are writing this Newsletter a week before our first national recognition of the importance of Matariki. It is exciting that we will be able to recognise this through a public holiday. Matariki is known as the Māori New Year in Te Ao Māori (the Māori world view).

Mānawatia a Matariki: Celebrating Matariki

Mānawa maiea te putanga o Matariki Celebrate the rising of Matariki

Mānawa maiea te ariki o te rangi Celebrate the rising of the lord of the heavens

Mānawa maiea te Mātahi o te tau Celebrate the rising of the New Year

Matariki hunga nui Matariki, a time to come together

Matariki ahunga nui Matariki, a time of bounty

Matariki manako nui Matariki, a time of aspiration

Across the country, communities are getting excited about the first ever celebration of Matariki as a public holiday. Some iwi name this time of year Puanga because they’re not able to see Matariki clearly from their locality. They look to the next important star near Matariki – Puanga. Matariki is a gateway into authentic indigenous learning.

Closely connected with the maramataka (the Māori lunar calendar), the reappearance of the Matariki stars in the early morning sky brings the past year to a close and marks the beginning of the new year.

Mātauranga Māori (ancestral knowledge and wisdom) is at the heart of celebrations of the Matariki public holiday and it will be 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

Historically, the stars of Matariki were also closely tied to planting, harvesting and hunting. If the stars appeared clear and bright, it signified an abundant season ahead.

Performing Arts

It is always heartwarming to see performing arts flourishing in the College and at the moment we have some great things happening.

Creatives In Schools Programme

It was a great pleasure to be able to welcome Jim Moriarty and members of the Te Rākau Theatre Company into the College as the embark on an Ōtaki wide production of The Battalion. It is always exciting when we have initiatives such as this that not only bring our young people together from the College and the Kura but also provide tutoring in the art of theatre from outstanding actors and producers.

Smokefreerockquest

A huge congratulations to all the students who took part in the recent Smokefreerockquest competition. All three bands made it through to the Regional Final and I am certain that we will see further successes as this competition unfolds.

College Variety Concert

I would like to invite whānau along to enjoy our talented students at the variety concert which is scheduled for Wednesday 22 June, 7.00pm in the College Hall. If you are unable to make it, the concert will be livestreamed - with the link being emailed home next week.

Ongoing Impacts of COVID and the 'Flu Season

As you will be aware from my recent communications we are again struggling to have qualified teachers in front of all our classes due to illness and an ongoing shortage of relievers. You will be aware that we have implemented a system whereby year levels will be kept at home on a rotational basis but I do urge you all to make certain that this time is used to connect with online learning.

If your child is unwell or has COVID please make sure that you follow Ministry guidelines by keeping them home and notifying us of the circumstances.

End of Year Date and Provisional Start Dates 2023

The last day of the year for Years 7-10 will be Monday December 12.

The provisional start dates for 2023 are:

Wed 1 February - Senior Course Couselling

Thur 2 February - New Students - Meet their Teachers

Fri 3 February - First full school day.

While this may seem an early announcement, I am aware that bookings for accommodation, air travel and the Cook Strait Ferry are already in high demand so we are working to forecast this to you early in the piece. We hope that by doing so it will assist you in your holiday planning.

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