Newsletter 3 June 2022

This week we introduce Iylah-Rose Nichols and MJ Yadraga. We hope you have enjoyed your start at Mahora School.

Malo lava le sofia ma le lagi e mama, Talofa talofa lava - Warm greetings to you all in Samoan Language week.

Thank you to whānau who have been vigilant with sick children this week. We know it can be challenging and thank you for your support to ensure our children have the time they need to recover. We have also had a number of staff sick and relievers are very thin on the ground in all local schools, so it becomes a real balancing act. Hopefully it will pass quickly.

This week we had the privilege of being able to acknowledge and celebrate a wonderful person in our school. Affectionately known as MorMor…she is a grandparent of an ex-student who continues to support so many of our tamariki and contribute to our school. I'm not going to give any more away except, we suggest you watch ‘Good Sorts’ on TV1 on Sunday 12th June. This shows features each week just after the weather on One News...so slightly before 7pm.

As you will know, Matariki is getting close. There will be a great celebration at our kura (school) on Wednesday 22nd June, but there are also some wonderful local events that families might like to consider. These are listed below in the newsletter. There are so many free events that look fabulous and we know many of you are keen to learn more. Thanks to the Hastings District Council for investing in this for our community.

Ka pai to some of our Black Caps who took up the opportunity to support the local whenua (land) and participate in native planting at the Cape Sanctuary last Saturday. This is awesome to see.

Enjoy the Queens Birthday weekend ahead, we hope you have some great whānau time at some point.

Ngā mihi

Rohan

We have our own little champion skater in Mānuka Hub. Michaela Streeten won 2 silvers and a gold medal in her competition held in Palmerston North. Ka rawe Michaela. Thank you for sharing your wonderful achievement with us all.

Check out the lucky kids in Kawakawa. Hazel’s lovely Nana knitted everyone a set of beautiful, warm fingerless gloves. The smiles on these faces tell us that they love them!

Chess club has kicked off once a week in Room 19 during lunchtimes. It has been really lovely to see kids teaching others to play, competitive but fun and lots of deep thinking. A great game of strategy that requires concentration and focus. We are officially in training for the Inter school chess competition in Term 4.

Together Mānuka children and their whānau have donated goods towards New Worlds Family 2 Family promotion. These non-perishable grocery items have been dropped off at our local New World and will go towards families in need in our community. A heartwarming way to show Manaakitanga, one of our school values.

Starting each Thursday morning with our keen Ukulele players playing and singing together, is a fantastic way to start the day. We meet in the hall at 8.10am. This group is open to any Year 3, 4, 5 and 6 tamariki and whānau are welcome too. We have lots of school ukuleles, so no problem if your child does not have their own. Encourage your child to come and give it a try.

Wow! What an amazing start we have had to our Cookie Dough Fundraiser. Keep up the great work, sharing to your whānau and friends. So far we have sold 790 bags of cookies, let's keep adding to this!

Looking forward to seeing everyone at our first disco for 2022.

For the first time this year we are celebrating the new public holiday for Matariki, and in addition to other events happening across the region, Hastings District Council is supporting a three-day festival of events in Hastings.

Huddle around the “welcome fires” and hear the stories of Nga Pou o Heretaunga whilst watching the Matariki stars digital light show. Enjoy music, dance and kai at the Matariki Feast, remember loved ones at the Pools of Matariki, join the lantern parade or simply pause, breathe and connect with our Māori culture, people and places.

Matariki Tāpuapua – The Pools of Matariki

For four nights we invite you to float a waka lantern on the tranquil waters of The Pond to make a wish for the future, or remember those who have passed since last Matariki. Don’t miss this peaceful, contemplative and memorable experience. Free entry.

When: Wed, June 22 – Sat, June 25. 6pm to 9pm.

Where: The Pond, Flaxmere Park, Swansea Rd, Hastings.

Matariki Stars Digital Light Show

When: Wed, June 22 – Sun, June 26.

Where: Outside the Hastings District War Memorial Library.

Kai Hau Kai

Join Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi as they host Whangai i te hautapu ceremony. This sacred tradition is based on making a food offering to the Matariki star cluster, which rises as hot steam up into the skies. All welcome, free entry.

When: Thurs, June 23, 5.30am.

Where: Civic Square.

Pūrākau – Storytelling

Each night you are invited to nestle under the “big top” in Civic Square. Join the circle around communal fires as storytellers ignite our imaginations and illuminate our minds as they did for our forebears. Whānau will share the history of Nga Pou o Heretaunga as they bring to life 18 large pou carvings representing an ancestor from marae around Hastings district. Adjacent to the luxurious winter setting is the digital light show of the Matariki stars, a display not to be missed. Free entry

When: Thurs, June 23 – Sat, June 25.

Where: Civic Square.

Hākari Matariki – Matariki Feast

Come pull up a seat at our Matariki table to feast and commemorate New Zealand’s very first public holiday to celebrate Matariki. Enjoy a live entertainment showcase of singers, bands, kapa haka, choirs and hip hop dancers before a spectacular fireworks finale. Food trucks onsite for supper options. Free entry.

When: Fri, June 24, 5pm to 10pm.

Where: Tōmoana Showgrounds.

Te Hīkoi Whetū Matariki – Parade of Matariki Stars

Cosy up for the Matariki finale and join the lantern parade that will illuminate Hastings CBD. Craft your own lantern at home or collect one from Civic Square to follow the lights and music. Finish the parade with kai from food trucks or share a plate of traditional hangi before snuggling around the welcome fires to enjoy the Matariki stars digital light show. Free entry.

When: Sat, June 25, 5pm to 8pm.

Where: Civic Square.

• Queen's Birthday Holiday - Monday 6 June NO SCHOOL
• Camp Meeting for Parents - Tuesday 7 June ~ 5.30pm
• Board Meeting - Wednesday 8 June ~ 6.30pm
• Mufti Day (Camp Fundraiser) - Friday 10 June

• PTA Committee Meeting - Monday 20 June ~ 7:00pm
• Matariki Evening at Kura - Wednesday 22 June
• Matariki Holiday - Friday 24 June NO SCHOOL
• PTA Disco - Friday 1 July
• PTA 'Cookie Dough' collection date - Thursday 7 July
• PTA 'Cake n Shake' Fundraiser - Friday 8 July