Year 2 - Pukeko vs Takahe

 Today Year 2 investigated the similarities and differences between our local pukeko and the highly endangered takahe.

We researched, wrote notes, sketched, read and compared in a diagram.

Year 4 - Wheke/ Octopus and Guerilla Art

 Today in EFS we learned all about a special & very unique cephalopod - WHEKE! (OCTOPUS!)

Wheke are very interesting. They have:

E waru nga weri - eight tentacles
E toru nga manawa - three hearts
E iwa nga roro - nine brains!

Wheke also has an important holistic Maori health model, where all parts represent an interconnectedness and interdependent relationship between all aspects of health.

Spiritual
Mental
Physcial
Family
Life force
Identity
Past
Emotions

We drew octopus and wrote some interesting facts, such as:

Octopus have blue blood
Octopus can play with other animals
They can camouflage 
They have no bones

Guerilla Art

We wanted to send important messages to each other and the adults about keeping our school litter-free and protecting the Hauraki Gulf.

We designed and made some guerilla art on the pavements!

Have you seen our special sidewalk art to inform others about looking after our Hauraki Gulf?

Next week it's all about misunderstood sharks. 

Professional Development - Te Ao Māori Wānanga Taiao ki Papakura High School,

 Today Ms Daniel attended Te Ao Māori Wānanga Taiao ki Papakura High School,

It was an inspiring event connecting Te Ao Maori and sustainability. 

Takeaways:

- E Tu Rakau Charitable Trust 

- Rongoa - kombutcha, foot scrub, dry the peppermint and kawakawa 

- Pou for PE

- requested House names from local iwi

- Climate Resilience Funding

- picture books from Auckland Emergency Management

- Maori musical instruments

- Te Ao Marama app

- Sandy Shore Hangi for events

E aku nui e aku rahi, nei rā te mihi matakuikui ki a koutou katoa i tae a tinana mai ki tā mātou wānanga ki te Kura Tuarua o Papakura.

 

Thank you all so much for attending our Te Ao Māori Wānanga Taiao for 2025.

We hope you enjoyed the day as much as we enjoyed hosting you.

 

A few special mentions, firstly to Ngāti Tamaoho te mana whenua, who opened our kaupapa with a karakia, pōwhiri and kōrero. Also, for your support to organise our wānanga and in particular Whaea Monique for your dedication to see our wānanga blossum. No mātou te whiwhi.

 

To our South African brother Matua Chris Matthews (Tumuaki Tuarua), Matua Simon Craggs (Tumuaki), Whaea Mardi, Whaea Rangi and all the whānau of Papakura High School, thank you for sharing your lovely kura with us and showing manaakitanga and whanaungatanga. Nei rā te mihi.

 

Ki ngā ringawera Whaea Sandie Shaw and your crew, thank you for all our kai and the hangi almost put me to sleep. Aue te reka.

 

To our tohunga, our wonderful facilitators and guest speakers, we are extremely priviledged to have you share your many taonga and passions with us. Many have already expressed how wonderful your workshops were and we are truly grateful.

 

If you would like to contact any of our facilitators or guest speakers for future opportunities here are their details below:

 

Ayla Hoeta (Maramataka) – ayla.hoeta@auckland.ac.nz

Some cool rauemi:

Maramataka Dial for Tamaki Makaurau 

Tohu framework 

Planting seeds podcast: Maramataka Ayla Hoeta

Maramataka expert Rereata Makiha on Waka Huia 

Maramataka monthly korero - the Spinoff

Mikaere Berryman-Kamp (Taonga puoro) – mikaere.bk@gmail.com

Mia King (Rongoā Māori) – mia@eturakau.org

LeRoy Paul (Taonga Tākoro) – leroy.paul@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

Ngā kēmu: Tī kōuka, Hakariki (Haka o ngā Ariki), Poi Toa

Renee King (The Wonder Project for Year 5-13 ākonga) – https://wonderproject.nz/

Mana Ora Youth Resilience, Student Led Project Funding – sustainableschools@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz (powerpoint slide attached)

Hazel Meadows (Kia Rite Kia Mau) – Hazel.Meadows@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

 

We hope you enjoyed the wānanga e te whānau. It was lovely to have some of our tamariki enjoy the activities with the whānau too 😊

 

It would be greatly appreciated if you could take 5 minutes to fill in a short survey. This will help us improve future wānanga opportunities.

 

Enjoy the rest of your well deserved holiday and all the very best for Term 4.

 

Ngā manaakitanga

Anaru Hetaraka and The Sustainable Schools Team

 

 

Anaru Hetaraka | Senior Kaupapa Māori Sustainable Schools Advisor 

Environmental Services | Ngā Ratonga Taiao

Ngātiwai/Ngāi Te Rangi/Ngāti Whātua/Ngāti Hine/Ngāti Kahu/Ngāti Maniapoto

Mobile 027 308 3650

Auckland Council | Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau

Level 19, Auckland House, 135 Albert Street, Auckland

Year 0/1 Eco Warriors

 

Look at all the plastic lunchbox litter that has been found around the school 🫤

Today in Education for Sustainability Year 0/1 thought about how to keep rubbish out of the ocean. 

When we bring litter in our lunchboxes, sometimes it can fly away in the wind and can end up in the storm drains, which lead to the ocean. 

When litter reaches the ocean, animals like turtles can accidently eat it! 

We wanted to send a message to our school to remember to bring litter-free lunchboxes. We made fantastic turtle posters to help others remember what to do. Check them out by the library. 

Please pack a litter-free lunch! 

✨💧💙🐢💙💧✨

Year Five Rangatira

 In the last two sessions Year 5 have been showing their leadership skills. 

We have been creating picture books to share with the Year One's to the knowledge we've gained about how to get to school safely. 

As well, today Year Five created presentations to promote Wig Wednesday and went around the classes. 

Next term we're looking forward to sharing our picture books and taking part in the Food for Thought program. 

Year One - Litter Less

 

Today Year One investigated the issue of plastic pollution.  First we watched a video about how plastic rubbish moves down the outside drains to the sea. 

Bianca "People drop the rubbish and it goes down the drain. It goes to the beach.  There's a pipe and it goes all the way through the pipe."

Erin "We can help pick up rubbish"

Eden "It's not good because the animals can eat it and they can die".

We collected litter from around the school and analysed what it was made from.  We wondered where all the  plastic packets came from.

Sam thought "Lunchboxes"

What can we do about it?  

"Take the food out of the packets at home" said Faye

"We should look around and pick up any rubbish"

"Bring a litterless lunch" Eden G

What a great idea.

We wondered how we spread the word about the problem and its solution.

Posters!

We got creative. First, we drew a turtle straight in permanent marker! Very brave. Then we created our turtle's environment. We ripped paper for the seaweed and we used PVA glue as bubbles. We can't wait to see what they look like finished 🐢🌊

YEAR 2 - NZ NATIVE BIRDS - WHIO

In the run up to the globally renowned Bird Of The Year Competition, Year 2 are learning about one of our fascinating NZ native birds... 

Today we focused on The WHIO!

Whio are also known as our Little Blue Duck. Have you seen them on the $10 note?

They are only found in fast flowing river rapids with crystal clear waters, trees, plants and loads of stones.

Unfortunately whio are hunted by stoats and are now endangered. 

Firstly we researched and sketched and then we wrote the facts we had learned. Afterwards we played a board game to see what threatens the whio.

Last of all we read the Little Blue Duck book.

Next time we'll learn about the Pukeko vs Takahe. Until then can you go on a walk with your family to spot pukeko down by the Wakaaranga Creek?