Important Information about our Mihi Whakatau

02 September 2014

Dear parents and other caregivers of our students,

On Thursday of this week we are welcoming special visitors into our school, the BNZ Working Bee group.  They will be working on jobs around the school making our school a better place to be.

Our School Charter Vision states: ‘As part of our schools commitment to being culturally responsive, we are ensuring that our policies and practises reflect New Zealand’s cultural diversity and the unique position of Maaori culture’.  

To reflect this we will be welcoming these visitors into our school with Mihi Whakatau (which is speeches and messages of welcome).  This is an important part of the way we are doing things at Woodstock School.

Our school Charter was gifted the following values from a Whanau Awhina Hui at the beginning of the year.

·         Manaakitanga (welcoming all of our guests and new whanau)

·         Whanaungatanga (connecting with others through shared experience)

·         Kotahitanga (unity – all working toward a common goal)

This ceremony will reflect our schools commitment and practices in implementing these values. Our students are being prepared to undertake this big responsibility and are excited in being able to put their learning into action.  It gives a real context to our children’s cultural learning experiences.

Our School Mihi Whakatau (welcoming ceremony) involves:

Karanga (calling of the visitors, the Manuwhiri, into our school) by the Tangata Whenua

Whaikorero ((welcoming speech to the Manuwhiri and their reply)

                Waiata (to support all the Whaikorero)

Hariru (handshakes and the meeting of the two groups)

Hākari (sharing of food between Tangata whenua and Manuwhiri)

In order that we can get through the programme school will be officially opening at 8.30am on the morning of Thursday 04 September.  All children will be taken to the hall as soon as possible. School will follow normal times after this.

I ask all parent caregivers to assist us by ensuring that their child(ren) are at school before 8.30am on Thursday so that this Mihi Whakatau can be performed properly and we can stand proud of our achievement.  I look forward to your support. 

Kind Regards

Steve Ostermann

Principal