Tuesday, 23 February 2016

Updated Pages

Kia ora Koutou

The Waiata and Phrase of the Week pages have been updated.

Ka kite

Damian

Monday, 22 February 2016

Karakia mo te kai.

Kia ora Koutou

I'm sure you know that the annual Board of Trustees barbeque is this Friday. We'd like to say a karakia over the kai, and hope you'll be able to join us. It's a simple one that Melanie Saville in Room 1 taught us. Thanks Mrs Saville! 



E whakawhetai ana mo ēnai kai

E whakawhetai ana no o mātou hoa



We are thankful for the food we share

And thankful that our friends are here

This video was shot in 2014. Some of the students shown are much larger now.

Ka kite
Damian / Mr H 

Thursday, 18 February 2016

New waiata

Kia ora Koutou!

Birchwood School is learning a new waiata- Haere Mai. You can see kupu and a sound recording on the Waiata page.

Ka kite

Damian

Wednesday, 10 February 2016

Mihi Whakatau

Kia ora Whānau!

Birchwood School welcomed new students and their whānau to school on the first day with a Mihi Whakatau. It was a really nice way to bring new people to our school, especially because they enter as "strangers" and leave as family.

A Mihi Whakatau is like a pōwhiri, but less formal. There was a karanga (thanks Bec!), whaikorero (thanks Shep!) and waiata (thanks Birchwood students!)

A special Kia Ora to Shep, whose brains we picked. He supported Chris by sitting beside him on the paepae and guiding Chris's mihimihi. It is wonderful to know we have such strong support in our community!

Speaking of support, "we" are going to be calling "you" for a hui later on this term. The focus will be "appropriate representation of Māori culture at Birchwood school". This sounds like a mouthful, but basically we're wondering how we can use things like signs or poupou around our school.

Lastly, Te Rakau Whakapapa has started up for the year with a massive 88 students wanting to be involved. That tells us that Becks is doing a fantastic job in quality and motivation. You can read more about Te Rakau Whakapapa here.

Nga Mihi

Damian Hardman

damian.hardman@birchwood.school.nz
Please comment below or email Damian