Haka Boogie

Kia ora Whānau!

We have had some busy times at Birchwood school lately, almost too many things to relate without me forgetting something. Luckily you can also check Te Rakau Whakapapa (our kapahaka group) blog to see what they've been up to.

Next Thursday the Stoke Schools Cluster are holding our annual HAKA BOOGIE festival. This is where the kapa groups from Birchwood, Stoke, Nayland, Enner Glynn, Tahunanui, NCA, and Broadgreen (our hosts) show off what they've learned over the year. 

I love haka boogie. It's so neat to see what our tamariki are up to, and the shared kai at the end is a big plus (and a big puku for me). It is so rewarding to see so many proud whānau and proud tamariki.

Here's a wero for you- let's see if we can say the whakataukī this term. It's a bit of a mouthful, but does relate so nicely to Principal's Challenge it's a shame not to give it a go.

Here's my two cents: I know there are lots of people who want to say things in Te Reo Māori, but worry about making a mistake and getting it wrong. I say DON'T WORRY BE HAPPY! If you give it a crack and get it wrong, at least you're giving it a go! Jake the dog said something really wise about this:

 

You don't learn maths by not giving it a go, or spelling a new and exciting word by not giving it a go, or that special dance move that my class tells me not to do anymore by... I think you get my point.

Ka kite ano!

Damian Hardman

The New Zealand Citizenship Ceremony

On Wednesday, the 19th of August, at 9.30am, at the Council Chambers floor 2A Civic house, the Nelson City Council held a New Zealand Citizenship ceremony. Ten special Kapahaka students were chosen to go. They sung 3 songs such as: He Honore, Te Iwi E, Ko Toku Marae Tenei. The Deputy Mayor gave a short speech in Maori as a way of welcoming and the visitors had to say the Oath of Allegiance (Te Oati ki Te Ariki Tapairu a te Raraunga ki Aotearoa) for the Country. It was cool, we had lots of fun, we are very proud of how well we have done.

By Nina

Hopefully we can get some photos and videos up for you soon!

Whole School Whānau Class Shared Kai.

Kia ora Whānau

Thank you all so much for getting behind Birchwood's first whole school whānau class shared kai! This was a great way to celebrate Matariki and much enjoyed by all. 

There was so much kai that this author thought he was having a baby (that's for the little people in rooms Ngāio-Pōhutukawa who are also having babies). Lots of healthy options too, so thanks again whānau.

It was really nice to see parents coming too- thanks to all those who could make it.

Mrs. Affleck (Pōhutukawa teacher) commented on how respectful the tamariki were around the food and the space. It's so nice to see the Birchwood Way on display!

Respect= manākitanga

<More photos and stories to follow>

 

Ki-o-rahi Tournament

Kia ora Koutou

Last Tuesday (16th), the Stoke Cluster Schools (Nga Waka e Whitu) celebrated Matariki by holding a Ki-o-rahi tournament. Matariki is about reconnecting with whanau and friends, and sharing kai, so after the games were played, the students, teachers and parents shared pizza.

Birchwood school entered two teams: both did really well. There were too many MVPs to name: every Birchwood student played hard but fair, gave it their best shot, and had a fun time. You can be proud of the excellent behavior from our students, who showed the Birchwood Way all day.

We didn’t hold finals- that wasn’t the point of the day. As one teacher said, “Today isn’t about finals, or winners or losers. It’s about coming together and having fun.” After pizza lunch, everybody played on Broadgreen’s amazing playground.

Thanks to all the parents and whanau who came to watch and support our teams, and a special thank you to Nevin, Sarah, Nicky, and Cheryl. We can’t do things like this without parent help.

Nga Mihi

Damian Hardman
damian.hardman@birchwood.school.nz

 "Yes". The others agree.

 Rosa chasing down and about to RIP!

 This guy has no chance.

 Connor is in agreement.

 Much agreement.

 Bailey isn't sure....

 

 Josh defies gravity.

 <Insert something clever>

 After the games, thanking everyone.

 The cornerstone of a healthy diet.

 "Yes, it IS supposed to look like that."

 Replacing lost minerals and essential cheeses.

 

 

 Our teams.

Pages have been updated.

Kia ora Koutou, 

Check out a small group of Te Rakau Whakapapa singing 'Te Iwi E' on the Waiata page.

Damian

Matariki Shared Kai

Kia ora Whānau!

Matariki is celebrated this year on Thursday 18 June. Traditionally, larders were stocked and it was time to feast, the stars advised when to plant new crops, and it was a time to reconnect with whānau.

Birchwood school want celebrate Matariki this Friday 19 June with a whole school shared lunch in whānau classes. Whole school shared lunch is great because it celebrates our whānau and family, our place in our school, and eating together bonds us.

Students are asked to bring something to share with 2-3 (or more) others. This is supposed to be good, healthy fun, so sandwiches, fruit and other healthy options are great! The sausage sizzle will take a break this Friday but will be back in force and with sauce in week 10.

Nga Mihi

Damian Hardman

Damian.hardman@birchwood.school.nz

Latest News

Kia ora Koutou!

There are a lot of exciting things happening at the moment.

Firstly, the Matariki new moon is next Thursday 19 June. Birchwood are celebrating by participating in Nga Waka e Whitu (Stoke schools cluster) to play Ki-o-rahi next week (Tuesday if the weather behaves, Thursday is our postponement day). We also may have a super secret special surprise celebration, which I can't get into just yet...

Venus, and Matariki (Pleiades Star Cluster)

The whole school are learning to sing Te Iwi E (one version is here). We're hoping to sing that at assembly very soon! You can find the kupu here. We're lucky to have such a strong and talented kapahaka group. They can help coach their classes!

Not Birchwood students.

We can look forward to Whanau Classes in week 10. This is a nice way for whānau and friends to mix and mingle while at school.

You may have already noticed our New Classroom Names and Signs. Is class and building is named after a native New Zealand Aotearoa trees (rākau).

This is a very exciting initiative, and serves several purposes:

• Increases cultural visibility in the school, by promoting native trees, and encouraging Te Reo Maori to be used.
• Encourages respect to the environment and to each other: students "unpack" the qualities of their trees and apply them to themselves. E.g. Kahikatea is the tallest tree, the most majestic, truly the King of the Forest. In Kahikatea/ Room 9 we stand tall like the Kahikatea.
• Classes naturally look for songs about their trees to sing, which in turns enhances cultural awareness. 
• Whanau classes and homeroom classes are known by their rākau, which further enhances Birchwood's sense of community.

But the BIGGEST and MOST EXCITING NEWS at the moment is the new uniforms for Te Rākau Whakapapa seniors. 

Sunday 14 and 21 June,

12pm- 3pm.

Tyre General- Tahunanui Drive.

$5 Car Wash

$5 Fresh Soup and Roll

There are posters in classrooms if you'd like to see a pretty version :)

We need help with:

• Make a pot of pumpkin soup.
• Provide a block of cheese, or a tin of reduced cream, or a packet of onion soup.
• Help out at the car wash (you won't need to stay the entire time!)

 For more information, or to awhi us, please email me or Mrs Sheppard, or see Mrs S or Lee Burke at school.

Nga Mihi

Damian Hardman, Mrs Sheppard
 Click to email

Back online

Kia ora Koutou

We had some fun and games lately getting online, but here we are again. The blog has been updated with some of the mahi we are covering in term 2.

Please do leave comments- especially if you have good ideas for us, or think we can do things better.

Nga mihi

Damian Hardman