Kia ora, and welcome to the last newsletter for May. Next week is ‘Gypsy Day’-June 1, the traditional time of the year where for some farmers it means moving farms. For country schools and country school kids it can be a time of change too. As I write this coloumn I am thinking about the Trevithick family, and in particular Paige, Heith and Jessica. Paige has her last day at Kaihere School on Wednesday 27th (so by the time you read this she’ll be gone). Moving can be tough on a kid and I wish Paige, Jessica and Heith all the best as they settle into their new school and home in Rotorua. With June 1 comes the potential for new students. At this stage we are hoping to welcome at least one new student and hopefully more. Once again Kaihere School is sitting just below the critical numbers for a funding recalculation. If you do know of people moving into the area, please talk to them about what a great school we have here. Reaching 51+ students and having our staff funding recalculated could not come at abetter time. The recent Budget announcements will do schools like ours no favours. The Government has stipulated only a 1% increase in our operational grants. You and I both know that things like power, phone bills, cost of maintaining buildings and grounds will rise much more than 1% in 2016. Teachers too are unlikely to get much in the way of a pay rise (much like the last few years!). Curiously, the Ministry of Education demands more and more each year from teachers, in terms of paperwork accountability, providing evidence of meeting increasingly complex registration criteria. I am not having a whinge of behalf of myself and staff, but do spare a thought for us...it certainly isn’t 9-3 and all those holidays! Have a Happy Gypsy Day—Terry

Week 6 Term 2 2015

What is Matariki? Matariki is the Maori name for the group of stars also known as the Pleiades star cluster or The Seven Sisters; and what is referred to as the

traditional Maori New Year. When is the Maori New Year? The Maori new year is marked by the rise of Matariki and the sighting of the next new moon. The pre-dawn rise of Matariki can be seen in the last few days of May every year and the new year is marked at the sighting of the next new moon which occurs during June. This next occurs on 18th June 2015. What does Matariki mean? Matariki has two meanings, both referring to a tiny constellation of stars; Mata Riki (Tiny Eyes) and Mata Ariki (Eyes of God). Why is Matariki important? Traditionally, depending on the visibility of Matari-ki, the coming season's crop was thought to be determined. The brighter the stars indicated the warmer the season would be and thus a more productive crop. It was also seen as an important time for family to gather and reflect on the past and the future. Why do we celebrate Matariki today? Today Matariki means celebrating the unique place in which we live and giving respect to the land we live on. How is Matariki celebrated? Matariki is celebrated with education, remem-brance and the planting of new trees and crops signalling new beginnings. Matariki was the opti-mum time for new harvests, and ceremonial offer-ings to the land-based gods Rongo, Uenuku and Whiro to ensure good crops for the coming year. It was also seen as a perfect time to learn about the land we live on and to remember whaka-papa (ancestry) who have passed from this world to the next and the legacy they left behind.

Who can celebrate Matariki? Anyone who wishes to participate, but especially anyone who considers themselves a New Zealander

To be the best we can be

P R I N C I P A L ’ S P I E C E

( A . K . A . M Y S O A P B O X )

M A T A R I K I 2 0 1 5

S C H O O L A N D

C O M M U N I T Y N O T I C E S

REMINDER

Please support the school by paying your paper levies $10.00 per child per term.

Many thanks

HOME AND SCHOOL NEWS

A big thank you to those families that gave up their time to help with the quiz night. It was a very successful and fun evening.

MOVIE NIGHT AND HANGI As a fundraiser for camp and a welcome to the new families to the district we are holding a movie night with a Hangi dinner to celebrate Matariki, which the children have been learning about. This will be on June the 12th. Any donations of Roasts, Potato’s, Pumpkin, Kumara or Carrots will be greatly appreciated. All Welcome! The Home and School are wanting you all to clean out your wardrobes to make room for all those winter clothes. If you have any clothes from babies to adults that you do not want any more the Kaihere Home and School would love you to donate them to us so that they can be used for an up coming fundraiser. We also would love puzzles, books and any old toys. Any donations can be dropped off at the school office.

Would you like to sponsor the NEW Kaihere School sports uniform? Please contact the school office if you would like your business name on the new Kaihere school sports uniform. Lots of coverage throughout the year at different events around the Thames Valley area. What a great way to support your school and advertise.

S C H O O L A N D

C O M M U N I T Y N O T I C E S

UPCOMING EVENTS:

1st June -Queen’s Birthday (no school)

9th-10th June—Life Education caravan at school

18th June Matariki, Maori New Year

19th June—Ki O Rahi tournament for Years 7 & 8

4th July - Cryptic Dinner-Wild West Theme

THANKS very much to Simon, Kevin, Carl, Aqua, Paul and all the guys who helped clean up the school house. You have done an amazing job and my family and I really appreciate it. Terry

ENTERTAINMENT BOOKS Thank you to those who have returned their orders or the books, Please

remember to send these back to school by next week A reminder that school assembly is every fortnight on odd weeks of the term, Thursdays at 2.15 in Mangawhero room. All welcome. Assembly next week, Thursday 5th

A S S E M B L Y

People who want a fun night out!

4th July - Cryptic Dinner– Wild West Theme

$30.00 per ticket To book

contact Rosie on 07 8878944/ 027 8108304.