A Powhiri for Wairakei Students.

Today we hosted a powhiri for a group of children from Wairakei School. Isabel and Samantha did the karanga to call them towards the classroom.

As they replied and approached, Michael, Zachary and Flynn began the Haka Powhiri and we all joined in with this rousing welcome. Once they had come in and taken their seats Michael said his whaikorero. To support him we sang the school action song Anei Ra te Kura Hato Opani. Zachary was next with his whaikorero which we supported with the waiata Ehara i te mea.

It was now Wairakei's turn to respond with whaikorero and waiata.  Everybody joined in the line to hongi our guests and make them part of us for the rest of the gathering.

We were fortunate to have some of the Kapa Haka group perform some of their items.
We had all worked up an appetite by now so we went back to Room 16 for some kai. There was a wonderful range of food for all. As the rain and sleet had now ended, all the tamariki were able to go out into the playground for a quick play and look around before the Wairakei group went back to their school.
Room 16 feel very lucky that we have such a supportive buddy class in Room 11, nga mihi nui ki a koutou. We would also like to thank e Pa for helping us prepare for this experience.

Special Visitors

Room Sixteen have been welcoming and celebrating the arrival of three korean student teachers to St Albans School.
Children and teachers from Rooms Three, Sixteen, Eleven and Twenty four gathered in Room Eleven to have a powhiri for the visitors.
Whaea Livi and two kotiro from Room 11 called to the visitors. All the children joined in with the Haka Powhiri as the visitors entered the room. Next e Pa spoke and then we all stood and sang the new school waiata, Anei Ra te Kura. It was the first time the new waiata has been used in a powhiri ever! The children and teachers felt proud but a bit nervous about sharing the new song. After e Pa finished off his speech, Mike Davy spoke for the visitors. Everyone was most impressed next when the korean students sang Pokarekare Ana in Korean. Everyone gave them a big pakipaki when they finished. Finally Mike finished off his speech and the two groups of people had a hongi.
Mrs Warren spoke to everyone and explained which classes the students would be going to. Sunhui went back to Room Sixteen where all the children introduced themselves and told her something about their lives.
Click here to see a movie of the powhiri.(Thanks to Team 23 Blog)

Meet Our Buddy Class

Each Wednesday we meet up with Room 11 for a singing session.
This is a movie of us singing the waiata a ringa (action song), Anei Ra te Kura