Manawatia a Matariki with Kaumatua

IN LATE JUNE Piopio College celebrated our kaumātua by inviting them to spend the day learning alongside their mokopuna.

To show our appreciation, we treated our special guests with a Pōwhiri to welcome them to a day celebrating them.

Our Level 2 Hospitality group then showed their skills preparing a yummy morning tea. A day filled with Kotahitanga, love, appreciation and fun filled activities including: a science lesson class creating bath bombs; macrame key rings with Mrs Lyons; and a few ends of indoor bowls with Mr Draper. Safe to say our Kaumātua showed our tamariki a thing or two when it came to the bowls!

It was beautiful to see our whole Kura come together when organising, preparing, decorating and being involved with our delicious shared hangi. The laughter and smiles were a humbling memory to reflect on. We ended the day remembering those that have passed by sharing stories and writing messages on Chinese lanterns which we then sent off into the sky.

This day could not have happened without all the support and mahi that went on behind the scenes. A huge thank you to each and every person within our school or wider community that provided skills or a service to the College. Your efforts did not go unnoticed and we are immensely grateful!

Birdtalk Magazine Aug/Sept 2023