Celebrating Maori Students

maori

 

Elika Stanley: Life Skills Graduate

 
From Monday 5 to Friday 9 November Elika Stanley (year 10) attended a week long Life skills programme at the Army's Tamaki Leadership Centre in Whangaparaoa, Auckland.

She completed the programme successfully which included military training, visiting the Navy marae, an on-board experience on one of the Navy ships along with some fun activities like bowling. The Leaders spoke highly of Elika as being an outstanding participant who could be a future Navy officer.
  elika
Whaea Maihi, Mr John Peri and Whaea Leauga attended
the graduation ceremony for Elika who wore a korowai which her Nan had made for Mr Peri's Father.

Thank you to Holly Kairua, Francis Meli, Hannah and the team at Bluelight for offering this opportunity to Lynfield College once again.

Ka nui te mihi ki a koe Elika.



Matariki Celebrated with Special Rakau Planting

On Friday 28 September, a special rakau planting parakuihi event was held at Te Ringa Awhina Marae.

A kowhai tree which was gifted from Hay Park School during their Matariki visit was placed beside the waharoa. Whanau, Hay Park Principal, Associate Principal, Kaiako, Board Members and akonga were present. The Kapa Haka group performed while Whaea Tebay and Ms Tahu prepared kai. Thanks to all who were present from Lynfield College (Senior Leadership Team, Maori Focus Group and Kaiako), Hay Park, Whanau and akonga.

Nga mihi nui ki a koutou katoa. 'Poipoia te kakano kia puawai'

Thanks to Whaea Turketo for the photographs.

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planting a planting b
 


Te wiki o te REO Māori

This week we have been busy supporting our reo in many different ways, from staff and student quizzes about te REO Māori to school waiata practices, a session with a University of Auckland Māori Masters student to learn about Māori education study and career options including scholarships available, the hikoi and language parade, a poi workshop and games. Check out below!

Kia kaha te REO Māori! Ka nui te mihi ki nga kaiako me nga akonga mo te tautoko i tenei wiki.

Whaea Leauga

reo a reo b reo c reo d
 


University of Auckland Celebration Dinner

On Friday 24 August 2018 Māori and Pasifika students from Lynfield College along with Whanau Ms Wolf and Māori representative from our Board Hinekura Samuels-Laveaina attended a special event hosted by MATA and the University of Auckland

The purpose for the evening was to create a space for sharing stories from our Pacific Island and Māori guest speakers, connecting akonga with their cultural identities and inspiring youth to persevere through adversity and promote tertiary education.

Guest speakers shared their experiences as past university students along with, their personal obstacles, and where they are now after overcoming these hardships, through their visions for success. Live entertainment by the University students and a sit down dinner concluded the evening.

Special mention to our whanau, akonga and kaiako for their organisation.
 

trio foyer table
Jonni Ryan Gordon and Aaron Tahu pictured with guest Speaker Dan Walker (Commercial Account Executive Dell, EMC and Deputy chair of the Maori Tourism Board) From left to right: Regan Ryan-Gordon, Aaron Tahu and Jonni Ryan-Gordon in the foyer. Left to Right: Melina Samuels (Deputy Head Girl), Loleina Polaulu, Valo Mao, Maria Mounga, Judge Ida Malosi (First female Pacific Island Judge) Aaron Tahu, Jonni Ryan Gordon and Regan Ryan-Gordon.
 


Halsey Drive School and Lynfield College Perform Together

On Monday 14 August 2018 Mrs Varney invited our roopu Kapa haka to perform at their special Kapa Haka concert. A group of our seniors as part of their assessment for Māori Performing Arts presented a set which consisted of Mau Rakau, Waiata a Ringa, Haka and Himene.

Ka nui te mihi to all of our akonga, Mrs Varney and her team for this opportunity to connect our rangatahi displaying the tuakana teina model in our Kahui ako and the Principal and staff from Halsey Drive for making us feel so welcome.

He mihi mahana ki a Whaea Tebay mo tana tautoko hoki.

Mā te tuakana e tōtika te teina, mā te teina e tōtika te tuakana
Seek guidance from both young and old, the two will balance each other out.

halsey
 


Auckland Cluster Visit Rangiriri Paa

On Thursday 2 August 2018 students from Lynfield College, Waitakere College, Massey High School and Henderson High, as part of the Auckland Cluster traveled to Rangiriri Paa to learn more about this important  historical site.

Rangiriri Paa is located off State Highway One, just south of Te Kauwhata. The Pa and associated fortifications, is the site of a famous battle that occurred during the land wars. A greatly outnumbered Māori force was attacked by 1500 British troops in one of the crucial battles of the Waikato campaign on 20 November 1863, with both sides suffering heavy casualties.

Part of the central redoubt has been preserved and the grassed over ditches and banks give an impression of the formidable defences. A Tohu Maumahara (symbol of remembrance) stands at Rangiriri to commemorate those who fought in the Battle of Rangiriri.

It was a momentous occasion for those who attended. Mihi atu ki nga kaiwhakahaere, nga kaiako, akonga me nga whanau katoa mo te tautoko.

The Rangiriri Haka was recited and performed by akonga at the historical pa site.

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rangiriri c rangiriri a
 


Hay Park Primary Whole School Visit for Matariki

Friday 22 June 2018 was a great day that saw the establishment of a positive partnership with our newly joined kahui ako school. A kowhai plant was gifted by Hay Park Primary to Lynfield College and the tuakana teina model was demonstrated.

With Akonga leading haka, rakau and poi workshops, ka nui te mihi ki nga tangata katoa e awhina ana kia whakanuitia te kaupapa o Matariki.

Whaea Leauga

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Rarotonga Cultural Exchange 2018

In the last week of term 2, 10 students: Alex Tebay, Jessika Varney, Aaron Tahu, Luke Tahu, Danielle Matthews (Head Girl), Xanthian Po Nepia, Karli Mcgray, Bella McAllister, Paige Vaipa and Jonni Ryan Gordon, and two staff members: Mrs Tebay and Mrs Leauga, traveled to Rarotonga as part of a cultural exchange programme.

Hosted by Tereora College the group were welcomed on their first day with a Turou (formal Cook Islands ceremony) The group performed the school haka, school waiata, and a poi item.

The week's activities included an inland tour, performances at: Pacific Resort (Muri Beach), Titikaveka School and Highland Paradise where a marae site was, an over-water traditional story retold at Te Vara Nui, a visit to the vaka landing area, a Q and A with Kiwi Artist Lee Raela, shopping at the Markets, husking and scraping coconuts, weaving, learning to play the drums and do the 'ura pa'u and an island night in Nikao.

Whaea Tebay and Whaea Leauga would like to thank all of the whanau, kaiako and hosts who supported the group and helped make this trip happen.

Our last visit was in 2014, so this was the second time Lynfield College has visited Rarotonga. It was a great cultural experience! Meitaki Ma'ata!

tereora
singing kai pois
drums splitting coconut
vara nui
gallery titikaveka snorkeling
 


Kapa Haka Across the Community

On Thursday 31 May at Te Ringa Awhina Marae (Lynfield College Marae) We had our first Adult Kapa Haka group practice. Staff and whanau from Lynfield College, Blockhouse Bay Primary and representatives from our board at two of our kura were present.

Our tutor Anita Moser, the Maori focus group and tamariki from babies to year 13 students were present. Another school in our community will host our next practice. It was a great way to learn our reo and come together as a community to learn.

Ma te mahi Ka ora.

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kapa d kapa c
 


Hui Hauauru at Te Ringa Awhina Marae


On Friday 11 May 2018 Kura from around Tamaki Makau Rau were welcomed to Te Ringa Awhina Marae, An amazing day filled with learning in a Māori environment started with a powhiri, followed by kai sharing, learning of mau rakau, haka, waiata and positive relationships were formed by all who attended.

Thanks to everyone who helped: Mr Mouldey for being our speaker and Vini for taking the photographs for us. The group will be going to Rangiriri next term and will visit each of the kura in due course.
 
marae welcome
melina students singers
henderson waitakere
 


ASB Polyfest 2018

Kapa Haka gave a stunning performance at the ASB Polyfest on Friday 16 March. The group has been practicing since the start of the year under the expert guidance of their tutors. Well done to all involved, you made us feel very proud. 

The Māori stage is live streamed by Māori Television. Follow this link to see our students perform.
https://www.maoritelevision.com/haka/asb-polyfest-2018/groups/lynfield-college/200751#video-player

kapahaka18
 


Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori at Lynfield College

 
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maori week c maori week b

In celebration of Wiki o Te Reo Māori 2017, we experienced a range of activities throughout the week and hosted Kahui ako kura representatives from local schools Halsey Drive Primary, Blockhouse Bay Intermediate, Waikowhai Intermediate and Marshall Laing Primary. Akonga worked throughout the day building matauranga in a reorua (bilingual) environment, learning about the importance of taking care of body, mind, spirit and heart.

Ata Houpapa from the University of Auckland spoke with akonga about scholarships, career pathways and played games in te reo Māori at Te Ringa Awhina Marae.

Students were invited to learn the school haka, attend mau rākau workshops (lead by two specialist tutors from Te Whare Ahorangi, Rotorua) and waiata. Staff participated in a morning quiz and had the opportunity to enjoy a delicious hangi, steam pudding with custard, watercress salad and fried bread lunch on Friday.

Whaea Leauga would like to acknowledge all of the kaiako, akonga and whanau who helped make this event a great success.

Ka nui te mihi ki nga kaiako o te ra ko Whaea Rau raua ko Matua Ue.
Mauri Mahi Mauri Ora.
Whakanuitia te wiki o te reo Māori!