Early for Matariki

The Te Miro School community came together last week for a mid-winter Matariki festival. Year 8 student Mahina King gives readers an account of the night.

Front left Millie Orr, front right Kate Mellow leading the waiata

Te Miro school marked its annual Matariki celebration and the event was vibrant and showcased the cultural spirit of our school.

The festival commenced with our school singing ‘Rise Up O Flame’ accompanied by our year eights lighting the brazier, followed by a heartfelt school karakia and the uplifting waiata ‘Purea Nei’.

Nico Roozenburg, left, and Max Ross with their grotto and lantern made out of Papier-mâché, leaves and woven wool

Learning group Rimu engaged everyone in the crowd with their Matariki and Solar System Kahoot, demonstrating the knowledge they learnt in class as they read out each question and answer.

Kowhai students mesmerised the audience with their impressive rakau skills, performing to the waiata ‘Tutira Mina Nga Iwi’

Rata captured the audience’s hearts (well they captured mine) with their adorable dance to ‘Savalivali’.

The whole kura performing under lights in the schools bush

The Festival reached its peak with the energetic Matariki Macarena, a favourite waiata amongst the children, then each class embarked on a lantern-lit journey through the bush to explore every hand-crafted grottos done by students in each classroom.

The night concluded with everyone gathering for kai in the community hall.

Reflecting on this event, it is clear that the Matariki Festival at Te Miro school is more than just an event, it’s a testament to our school’s vibrant community and spirit. This is surely one of my favourite school festivals even though it was cold.

Lily and Archie Bruce holding the lanterns they made to light the way through the bush.

More Recent News

LGNZ goes eight down

STOP PRESS Waipa wins the Super Engaged – Tū Hononga Award for ‘Ahu Ake, Waipā Community Spatial Plan’. Ahu Ake is Waipā District Council’s bold, 30+ year vision shaped hand-in-hand with mana whenua and the…

Project has old school ties

A new film centred on Hamilton’s Fairfield College has deep connections spanning the Waikato, Waipā and King Country. Telling the story of Fairfield College, ‘Kukutaaruhe – Ngā Taonga Tuku Iho’ – treasures of the past…

Val was an RSA trailblazer

Talk to anyone about Val Brett and you’ll find she was known as particularly diligent and organised, an irrepressibly ‘no-nonsense’ contributor to her community. What is probably less known is the fact that Val, who…

School bands star in Sydney

Cambridge High School’s Concert Band and Jazz Band have returned from the Australian International Music Festival in Sydney with outstanding results. The Concert Band received a Silver Award, while the Jazz Band earned a prestigious…