Highland Games Matariki Hāngi

Highland

Games

A celebration of St Andrew’s Scottish heritage and traditions was on full display during the Highland Games on Thursday 23 June, which had been postponed from Founders’ Day in March.

There was a lively atmosphere from the start, with raucous inter-House singing of the School Song, O Flower of Scotland, and the respective House chants. Each House then selected representatives to compete in Highland dancing, which is always a crowd favourite.

This was followed by some impressive efforts by staff and students in the kettle ball relay, wheat sheaf tossing, and medicine ball throwing.

Performances by the Pipe Band and Highland dancers were a special part of the day, which finished with each House performing the College haka.

House spirit was in full force during the passionately fought competition, and when the points were tallied at the end, Thompson House was named the 2022 Highland Games House champions.

Matariki Hangi

A hāngi was put down to celebrate Matariki, with Te Reo Māori students alongside members of the Māori and Pasifika Group involved throughout the day, preparing the kai, placing it in the ground and uplifting it once it was cooked. Alongside the hāngi, Year 9–10 Māori language students set up a Matariki display, which included information on the origins of Matariki, how Matariki was traditionally used, Pūaka and information on the different stars of Matariki.

During the day, Preparatory School classes came along and enjoyed a short presentation from students about Matariki and the process of a hāngi.