Despite the cold and wet weather, our Matariki New Year celebration at Petone was a heartwarming evening filled with aroha, connection, and shared purpose.
Families, tamariki, and kaiako came together to honour Matariki – a time to reflect, give thanks, and look forward – with a truly special community event.
One of the most memorable aspects of the evening was the communal hot soup, lovingly prepared with contributions from many whānau. It was more than a meal – it symbolised the shared effort and warmth of our learning community. Our celebration reflected our commitment to intentional and culturally responsive pedagogy. Matariki is a meaningful part of Aotearoa’s cultural identity, and we embrace this by ensuring it is woven into our children’s learning in authentic and respectful ways.
The event was a living example of this – from artwork created by tamariki, to stories and songs shared together. A highlight of the night was the guest performance by a group of young teenage girls, who generously shared their beautiful singing. Their presence inspired our own tamariki to step up with confidence and joy for their own performance. Their pride and excitement were palpable – a true testament to the power of community and support.
We are so proud of our children and deeply grateful to our teaching team, whose dedication made the evening possible – from preparing soup to supporting creative expression through art and performance. It was a night to remember, and a celebration of the relationships that help our learning community thrive.
Ngā mihi nui to everyone who came!