What’s going on

Busy C's

Lately tamariki have enjoyed the wonderful story of Tamatea Pokai Whenua which is a Ngäi Tahu created story told by the tangata/people from Ngäti Wheke. The tamariki have made art work that depicts the story about how Tamatea kept his people safe by bringing fire to Whakaraup ö / Lyttleton Harbour. The tamariki have been retelling the story through their artwork. Two sisters in the story, Te Püpü and te Höata have become favourite characters and often there are lots of sound effects as tamariki re-enact the sisters becoming fire balls as they speed through landscapes. With this story we noticed the tamariki teaching adults/ whänau the story which encourages ako, the concept that teaching and learning is reciprocal for all. This story has helped us to make further connections to the whenua/land and the people in it.

Lately the under 2’s have been making many connections with the whenua as we have focused on taking care of our mära/garden with the changing of seasons. Everyone has been hands on helping clear parts of the garden to make room for new life, Ma tini ma mano ka rapa te whai – many hands make light work! Lots of helpers spotted fruit ready to be picked from our äporo/ apple tree. Lately a popular healthy snack in a few lunch boxes has been healthy äporo muffins so we made some here at Preschool. Participating in all the mahi/work that comes with looking after our garden has encouraged tamariki to show respect, pride and enjoyment in all that Papatüänuku/mother earth gifts us with.