Matariki Celebration Our centre has been preparing for our wonderful Matariki celebration which we do every year.
We plan a fun whanau evening, with songs and dance, our older 4-year-olds put on a skit and then we enjoyed some yummy kai with a treat, ice cream and sprinkles.
This year we are super proud of all the tamariki for their hard work with practicing the songs, we even learnt sign language to the ‘Pepeha’ by Six60.
The skit was focused on the Legend of Mauao, where we had 3 characters for each mountain (Ōtanewaiuku, Pūwhenua and Mauao), we had a Sun (Te Rā) and a Moon (Te Marama) and then lots of Fairies (Patupaiarehe).
As the children learnt this story, they were able to extend their connections within the community and it became a very well-heard story told by the tamariki in their play. Parents shared the wonderful stories they had with their child at home, hearing them practice their words and singing the songs.
This year, our children got to perform their skit not only to their families but also to the local rest home just down the road. And what a wonderful show they put on!
Celebrations like Matariki are fun events we enjoy doing as a centre year-round and we are looking forward to our next one.