Monday, February 27, 2017

Goals and Aspirations for 2017

Goals? What are goals?

Goals are something that one aims to achieve or something that you have your mind set on, you work hard towards it, to accomplish and achieve. For example, one of my goals is to fulfill my potential in maths. How will i achieve this goal? well practicing my basic facts and looking to excel and improve as i go. Another goal i have in mind is to join at least 5 sports team by the time i leave school. Part of this is that i want to be the best student in Matua Des's class across all curriculum areas. These goals will help shape my outlook on life and will provide me with an opportunity to secure a stable and well paid job.

These are my goals.

Qayd Marsh.

Tuesday, February 21, 2017

Mirror mirror on the wall

Mirror, mirror on the wall,

Who am I? Im standing in a church where bullet holes have pierced the wall. I take photos as i listen in on the korero from Matua Dudley about historic events that took place way before i was born. Ancestors lie peacefully, no word, no sound, just the repeating sound of tree branches that accompany my tipuna.

Mirror, mirror on the wall. Who am I?
Hone Heke was the first chief to Sign the 'Tiriti O Waitangi;. He meant well and had good intentions. He chose to chop down the flag several times to prove his point whilst knowing that there would be consequences for his actions. He stood firm and realised what had taken place. It is he who took action and within reason.

Mirror, mirror on the wall. Who am I?
I am me, I am Qayd from Ngapuhi and Tainui. I am proud of who I am. I am happy to know my roots, somewhere I can call home, to identify with. As long as history is a moment in the past, its stories will continue to live in the future.

Mirror, mirror on the wall. Who am I?
My answer, I AM MAORI!

Qayd Marsh.

Kotuku

Waitangi Haerenga

Hi my name is Dallas and this is my writing piece form our trip up North.

I am anxious, I am deprived of sleep yet I can't sleep in case i fall in to deep sleep. My ears pinned up like the hair on the back of my neck, my thoughts wonder in this brain of mine contemplating what i might see.

Mauta Des gives clear instructions about behaviour, representing the school. Firm but fair. The new bus glistens with a bright glaze of gold almost like brown roast potatoes which reminds me I haven't had breakfast. Nonetheless, Its ROAD TRIP time.

After a gruesome bus ride we arrive to the receptive company of our hosts. Matua Tangaroa makes us feel at home, at ease, call it what you will, for me its simply 'manaakitanga, whakawhanungatanga, kotahitanga'.

I learn about the history of the area and the demise of our people either through fighting for our land, protests, wars with our allies or with our own. The place where Mr Busby settled and had great influence on my people through the signing of 'Te Tiriti O Waitangi'.

I am an awe of the events that took place in history but not disillusioned by how history somewhat dictates our present. For what it's worth, i have more to learn about the treaty and its finer details that encompass this document, but if i had my way I would have thought twice.

Dallas Katipa

Friday, February 10, 2017

WELCOME TO 2017 - INTRODUCTION LETTER


Te amorangi ki mua, te hapai o ki muri
The leader at the front and the workers behind the scenes
Nga mihi ki a koutou katoa,

First of all, I would like to introduce myself as your child’s teacher for 2017. My name is Desmond Leota and I am known at school as Matua Desmond. I have been teaching here for 7 years and I have had an amazing time as an educator at C.P.S.

I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you and your child to a new year in room 22. I am looking forward to getting to know you and your child throughout this year, which surely promises to bring with it, many new experiences and challenges. In order to make the year a successful one, teamwork and cooperation will be required by all. As your son’s teacher, it is my goal to help him become a confident learner and I will do my best to help make this year a positive experience for your child.

Room 22 is also known as ‘Kotuku’. He Kotuku Rerenga Tahi" was inspired by the legend of Kupe, the great Polynesian navigator and expresses universal themes of journeys, dynamic life and peace. Kupe is said to have journeyed from Hawaiiki, the ancestral homeland of Maori, overcoming many severe obstacles at sea, to become the first person to discover Aotearoa. "He kotuku rerenga tahi" is a whakatauki or proverb, which means "a white heron's flight is seen but once". It is used to indicate a very special and rare event and in this case refers to the arrival of Kupe and his waka Matawhaorua.

I have included an outline of the routines and expectations for this year. Please read through the information with your child and keep it for future reference
.

Attendance:
Your son is expected to attend every school day this year. If for any reason he cannot make it to school, then the school must be contacted either by phone call, text, email or note upon arrival to school. Inconsistent absences and failure to make contact with the school is not acceptable.

Uniform: A requirement at this school is that all students must wear the correct school uniform. If you are not sure of our schools uniform, then please ask one of our lovely office staff.

Homework:
Students are expected to complete homework nightly. Although daily assignments will not necessarily be written, I will assign written assignments several times a week. Depending on the students’ level, homework may include research, reviewing vocabulary, studying for tests and quizzes, reading assigned texts/related subject matter, or preparing reports.

Book work:
All work is to be presented in a neat and tidy manner. Your teacher will show you how all books are to be set up. There is to be no graffiti on books as this is 

I look forward to working in partnership with you throughout the coming year and I am confident that together we can provide the support and encouragement needed to help your child excel. If you have any questions now or at any time in the future, don’t hesitate to contact me at the school on (0212641613).

Desmond Leota