WEEK 7, Term 4

TAKIRI O TE ATA - KAPA HAKA FESTIVAL

Last Thursday our tamariki were simply magnificent representing Waitohu at Takiri o Te Ata - the Ōtaki-Kāpiti Kapa Haka Festival, held at Southward Museum Event Centre. Over 100 of our tamariki shone all day long. On the bus ride down, supporting Ōtaki College senior and then junior kapa haka rōpu (an awesome haka led by our Sid to tautoko the college), getting changed and ready to perform and then the performance - WOW.
The sweetness of waiata, the artistry of choreography and poi, the ferocity of haka - our tamariki showed it all. Tears were not just in my eyes, but in the yes of many of us bursting with pride, experiencing the kotahitanga (unity), manaakitanga (kindness) and whanaungatanga (connectedness) on display within the auditorium. So much courage, grace, joy, pride and skill flowing through our tamariki.
These moments don't just happen. For us at Waitohu, these moments happen because of Matua Kahura Cameron. The environment Kahura creates plants seeds in hearts, waters, prunes, showers rays of sunshine and places a loving screen around the growing skills, and courage, of our tamariki. All students performing choose to be there. This in itself is a testament to the space Kahura creates. To bring together over 100 tamariki, aged between 6 and 11, to create the performance we, and all those performing experienced, is pure artistry. Ngā mihi nui for being the artist you are Kahura and for sharing your aroha and talent with us.
Ngā mihi nui also to Whaea Natalie Hough for being Matua's right hand support. Your aroha, skill, perseverance and delight in enabling our tamariki to shine is seen and appreciated.
For our performance, the auditorium was filled with Waitohu whānau. Our ngā mihi to whānau for your support and the heartfelt haka, once our tamariki had finished - the first of these led by Grayson's dad Paora, who not so long ago was on the Kapa Haka Festival stage representing Waitohu. Tumeke, ka rawe.

TE TIRITI O WAITANGI

Last Friday I received an email from a Waitohu School parent asking, 'I’m writing to enquire what Waitohu’s stance is on the recent decision to remove the Treaty requirement from the Education Act.' I rang this parent and shared the below. I share this response with all parents as others may also be asking the same question.

In my time as principal and for as long as I am principal, Waitohu School will be genuinely giving effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. We will continue to maintain strong relationships with mana whenua Ngāti Raukawa and give expression to this relationship through living Taku Waitohutanga, within our school. Pōwhiri, waiata, tuku mihi (daily expression of positive intent), mihi mo te kai (daily gratitude for food), mihi whakakapi (daily thanks for contribution), regular use of te reo Māori, learning of pepeha (my people and places), students visiting places of significant local taonga, being kaitiaki of Waitohu awa, staff professional development in te reo and tikanga Māori, raising the flags of countries our whānau come from, senior and junior kapa haka ...... will continue and grow, regardless of any outside directive. I know, we know, that everyone is stronger, more whole and together when we give meaningful effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

JUNIOR SPORTS MORNING

On Tuesday our junior syndicate students enjoyed a morning of different physical activities joining other local schools at Ōtaki Domain. Ngā mihi nui to whānau who were able to come and support our tamariki.

ŌTAKI SURF LIFE SAVING CLUB

Ngā mihi nui to the wonderful surf life savers from our local Ōtaki Club for making the time today to come and share the awesome work they do with our senior students. This truly is a wonderful club who serve our community amazingly. If you would like your tamariki to be involved with this club, I encourage you to go to their website www.otakisurfclub, phone 021 775 432 or email otakinippers@gmail.com to find out more.

LIBRARY BOOKS / SCHOOL READERS / JOURNALS

Next Thursday 27 November we will be holding our annual stock take of the library and reading resources. Please, please, please take 2 minutes to gather up and return any library books, school readers or journals that may be in children’s bedrooms, on bookshelves … please don’t be embarrassed – we’d love all books returned so other students may get to enjoy them.

ASBESTOS - COLOURED SAND PRODUCTS

This last week in the media, concern of asbestos in some coloured sand products being in some schools was highlighted. Waitohu School does not have any of these products.

50 TICKET RAFFLE - SIGNED 2024 HURRICANES JERSEY

Caleb Delaney, current Hurricanes loose forward and lock has very generously gifted Waitohu School with a signed 2024 Hurricanes jersey. We would love this gift to go to a person who loves the Hurricanes, while at the same time being able to support our tamariki at Waitohu. We think a '50 Ticket Raffle' is a win-win way to do this. Tickets are $10 each to support our tamariki and also provide a great chance of winning. Christmas is coming, the time for giving gifts ......... are you someone or do you know someone who would really value having this awesome jersey? Please, through your social media contacts, let others know of this opportunity.
Buy a ticket - it is as simple as emailing office@waitohu.school.nz to let us know you've deposited $$ into our school account for the ticket(s) and we will email you back with your number(s). School Bank Account: 03-1532-0014731-00, Account Name: Waitohu School Board of Trustees Particulars: Your name Code: Raffle. You can of course also just come into the school office, we have eftpos available. This '50 Ticket Raffle' closes on Friday 12 December (or earlier if all the tickets are sold) in time for Christmas wrapping and gifting!!