Sleeping Beauty - Our School Production

In Term 3, the whole Senior Syndicate was involved in our school production - Sleeping Beauty. Each class was responsible for one scene each which meant there were some tricky changeovers of actors for the key roles. With the direction of Ms Jan Fisher and a lot of hard work from the teachers and students a very professional show was put on for parents and friends. Click here for a link to Room 19's blog to see some photos of some children before the show went on.

Art based on Maori Myths and Legends

Room 19 ART

This term our learning focus is CULTURE

We are learning how people keep their culture alive though traditions, beliefs, stories and the arts.

We have created these fabulous artworks after being inspired by the author and artist Warren Pohatu. In his book ‘ Maori Animal Myths” he retells legends from the past about the animals that were considered part of the ‘great family to which we all belong’.

Purpose:

To create an artwork based on a Maori animal myth.

To develop an understanding of traditional Maori culture through their myths and legends.

To use hot and cold colourways to create impact.

Process:

Read “Maori Animal Myths’ and examine Warren Pohatu’s art to use as a model.

Choose an animal and create a pencil sketch.

Section the background and fill with patterns and designs.

Both animal and background are made into a blackline drawing using vivid marker.

Use dye to colour drawing. If animal subject is coloured in hot colours the background patterning will be in cold colours to create contrast and impact.

Marae Experience

As one of our immersion experiences for our Culture learning concept we planned a marae experience for our children. During Weeks 1 -3 every class worked in their Whanau group to learn the protocols of being part of a Powhiri. We all practiced what to do as tangata whenua and manuhiri as well as learning prayers and songs in Te Reo Maori.

On Monday of Week 4 the whole school, in Whanau groups took turns as the tangata whenua and manuhiri on our 'school marae' (aka the Old School Hall). Each Whanau group had senior students that had learned the karanga and mihi. They did an excellent job, taking on their responsibilities with maturity and dignity.

When Whanau groups were not involved on the 'marae' they were split up into smaller groups to take part in Maori cultural activities such titi torea, weaving, art, string games and making putiputi. It was a fantastic experience for both the children and teachers.