Lily and Archie Bruce
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.
