The Banana tree went crash!

 

The day the children discovered our banana branch....

The children's eyes caught sight of something sitting on in our mud café,  after our working bee.... The children's faces lit up. 

There was this humongous banana branch full of tiny green bananas that was left for our friends to discover and explore  together.   Excitement washed over you all to come and have a look !  

You all gathered around , with a sense of wonder marveling at this un-expectant treasure. 

Little did we know that this branch would ignite you imaginations, and conversations.  

"How did it get here"

"What can we make"

"It is very big and bumpy on the stalk"

"Look at the teeny tiny bananas"

"There is even purple flowers"

These beautiful bananas, contributed to so many learning opportunities of working together, making pretend recipes, smoothies, being monkeys and so much more... 

By valuing and involving each other, creates and fosters a sense of belonging and wellbeing for everyone.  Ka Pai. 

Te Kakano Trip

Today, we were invited to the Te Kakano event for Matariki put on by the Auckland Council.  We were able to support our wonderful Te Whare O Matariki as tangata whenua standing at the front of the whare welcoming another local centre to the Marae.  We sung a special song for Matariki about the stars and then headed to the Howick Library to share in kai and an interactive music and story session, with our favourite librarians.  We enjoyed the stories with puppets of the different native fauna and flora to New Zealand and as Matariki is a time of giving, on our departure we were gifted some kowhai seeds to take home, plant, grow and nuture.  Many thanks to the Howick Library and to the Matariki Marae for providing such a special experience for our tamariki to engage in, building their connections, relationships and knowledge with their local community.

Our Matariki Hakari

 Sharing Kai is an important part of many celebrations and occasions in Maori culture.  Sharing and preparing food together can also contribute to a sense of kotahitanga working together to achieve a collective outcome and the mana of both those preparing the food and those eating the food is recognised and strengthened when a meal is enjoyed. Having a feast of favourite and/or traditional food is also one of the ways that the reappearance of Matariki in our skies.  With this in mind we decided that a feast including our tamariki in the preparation and sharing of food would be a great way to welcome the New Year.    Today at Uxbridge our Hakari included a lovingly homemade vegetable soup and bread! Our feast was perfect timing for the harvesting of our garden too.   Our Kai basket was also placed out for contributions of vegetables all throughout the week and we received very generous koha (gifts) from all of our whānau. While preparing the vegetables at the kai table, there was many offers of help.  It was fun to work alongside each other on the purposeful task of peeling and chopping the vegetables.  We added onion, kumara, carrot, pumpkin, potato, leeks, onions and picked some fresh herbs from our garden to add to the pot.  The children contributed in some way whether it was in the preparation of the food, making the table decorations, setting the table or in of course, eating the food!!  We said our Karakia and everyone enjoyed the delicious, nutritious soup with several asking for more helpings.  

Whetū mā Matariki

Whetū mā Matariki

During Matariki, the children have had the opportunity to explore different art processes and mediums to create various types of stars.  They can engage in these activities such as painting, drawing, collaging and even sculpting to bring their creative vision to life.  Through these art experiences the children can experiment with different materials like paint, glitter, glue collage as well as learning about technology and laminating their art work.  

This process allows the children to not only express their creativity but work collaboratively with their peers and learn about the different stars that relate to Matariki.  

Matariki is a time for reflection and new beginnings .  As they engage in these art experiences they develop their fine motor skills,  imagination, and cultural understanding creating a sense of pride and connection to the Matariki Celebrations unique to Aotearoa.