Newsletter 17 June 2022

This week we introduce Poppie Hedley, Kennedy Wilson and Ruby Singer. We hope you have enjoyed your start at Mahora School.

Kia ora Whānau

We hope you have had a good week. Thank you for your recent support with high sickness levels. Touch wood...we seem to be through another cycle and numbers at school are returning to normal. By keeping children home when they are unwell, we can break the cycle and spread, avoid having to re-introduce masks for children and also ensure we can remain operational. A number of schools have had to send children home and return to online learning. We know this is challenging with whānau work commitments, so we try our best to avoid this. If your child is sick, please keep them at home until they are symptom free.

Next week will be an important time in Aotearoa/NZ history with the first national celebration of Matariki. This is a fabulous learning opportunity around the importance of Matariki and it's really exciting to see so many of our community members keen to learn more rather than just thinking of it as a holiday. We have included the fabulous events on offer from Hastings District Council in this newsletter again and there is also information about our Mahora School event. We look forward to seeing you all on Wednesday 22 June.

Also as part of Matariki, is our connection to our Awa (rivers) that are associated with our four school houses. Thank you to whānau who are supporting this trip on Monday 20 June for the whole school. The condition of the 4 awa is variable, so it's going to be interesting to see the response of the tamariki. This is all part of developing Kaitiakitanga (one of our school values) about the local area.

Our PTA has a meeting on Monday 20 June at 7pm at school. If you were unable to attend the last one but are keen to support this group, please do come along. Thanks for the fabulous support of the cookie dough fundraiser...the next fundraiser is the disco on Friday 1 July. More info to come on this soon.

And to finish...we hope everyone was able to see the wonderful celebration and acknowledgement of Mormor on Good Sorts last Sunday. Mormor you are a legend....

Mauri tū, mauri ora - An active soul is a healthy soul.

Mānawatia a Matariki - Welcome Matariki.

Ngā mihi

Rohan.

We are so excited to be going to connect with our house awa (rivers) on Monday 21 June.

Here are a couple of reminders:

• If you are a support person coming, please be at school at 10.00am for the Risk Assessment meeting in the hall.

• All tamariki need to be prepared for the weather conditions. They will need warm clothing including a jacket and suitable footwear, like gumboots.

We will notify everyone via the School App and Class Seesaw by 9.00am on Monday, if the trip will be postponed. The weather forecast is not looking positive at this early stage unfortunately.

These superstar brothers have had a fantastic year racing motocross. Kayde is only 5 years old and came 2nd place out of his age group 4-7 years. His favourite part of motocross is doing jumps. Kyzah is 9 years old and came 3rd place out of his age group 7-11 years old. Kyzah would love other Mahora tamariki to get involved, so they can race in school events.

In the recent Hawke’s Bay Surf Awards our very own Tamati placed second in his age group overall. This includes beach sprints, board relays, beach flags and swim. He intends on training for next year's Oceans Competition at Mount Maunganui, which is the National competition. Can’t wait to hear how you go Tamati!

Our wonderful tamariki in Room 3 - Kōnini are amazing their teacher with their writing. They have been adding a lot of detail and writing long stories that are entertaining. Look at these big smiles.

Next week, a sports newsletter will come home to all tamariki with sporting opportunities in Term 3.

A number of sports carry over from Term 2, but there are some new ones to consider.

Sports that continue from Term 2 into Term 3:

- Year 5 & 6 NETBALL

- Year 5 & 6 KIWI STICKS HOCKEY

- Year 0, 1 & 2 HOCKEY FUNSTICKS

- Year 4, 5 & 6 BAREFOOT 10s RUGBY

Have a look at the options below and have a talk to your child to see if there is a sport they might be interested in having a go at, in Term 3.

MINIBALL is an option again for Year 3 & 4 players and Year 5 & 6 players.

GIRLS SOCCER is an option for Year 4, 5, 6 girls.

I am also looking into including a boys round into this comp, as I know we have boys who would love playing in a fun competition with their school mates. I should have confirmation for the boys next week..

HOCKEY is an option for Year 3 & 4 players and beginning Year 5 & 6 players.

More information re playing days, venue and cost will be included in the notice coming home next week. Keep an eye out for the notice.

Thank you for the outstanding effort with our Cookie Dough Fundraiser this term. We have sold over 1000 bags of frozen cookie dough. Last day to purchase is Sunday 19 June, 2022. So make sure you order if you don't want to miss out. We will advise the process for collecting your orders ASAP.

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

Following on from the TVNZ Good Sorts last Sunday. Mormor has had several requests for French knitting gear. A number of tamariki have shown interest in having a go and teaching others.

If whānau have any of the following items at home and are happy to donate, they would be greatly appreciated:

• tiny buttons, no wider than a popsicle stick

• wool, preferably 8 ply or double knit

• cardboard tubes from tin foil, plastic cling film and baking paper

These cardboard tubes are sturdy and have a smaller diameter than other rolls, which can get three spools out of one tube.

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.

• PTA Committee Meeting - Monday 20 June ~ 7:00pm
• Matariki Evening at Kura - Wednesday 22 June
• Matariki Holiday - Friday 24 June NO SCHOOL
• Mufti Day ~ Camp Fundraiser - Friday 1 July
• PTA Disco - Friday 1 July
• PTA 'Cookie Dough' collection date - Thursday 7 July
• PTA 'Cake n Shake' Fundraiser - Friday 8 July
• LAST DAY OF TERM 2 - Friday 8 July
• Term 3 Begins - Monday 25 July