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Celebrating Matariki at BestStart Beckenham
Over the last month, the tamariki at BestStart Beckenham have been celebrating, recognising, and learning about Matariki in a variety of different ways. We had the opportunity to take a group of tamariki down to one of our local schools to watch them do a special Matariki performance. The tamariki thoroughly enjoyed the show and got to do some creative colouring with some of the school students afterward.
The tamariki have worked very hard and used their creative skills to draw, colour, and create stars in different ways by using their fine motor skills to cut out a piece of paper in the shape of a star and decorate it however they like. They have used the wonderful artwork to create a vibrant classroom and a special Matariki Display in our foyer. During mat time, the Kaiako have been reading stories about Matariki and learning new Maori songs with the children.
During all this, we have teaching them about the stars and the meaning of the Maori New Year. This year we will be holding a parent evening for Matariki. The tamariki have worked very hard on learning new waiata (songs) and they are very excited to perform them in front of our Whanau at the parent evening. Our wonderful cook will also make some delicious vegetable soup to share among the whanau and then ending the evening with a special scavenger hunt.