28th October 2022 Newsletter

Newsflash

TONGAN LANGUAGE WEEK

Tongan Language Week
Celebrate: Sunday 4 September – Saturday 10 September

This year’s theme for Uike Kātoanga’i ‘o e lea faka-Tonga – Tonga Language Week – is: “Ke Tu’uloa ‘a e lea faka-Tonga ‘i Aotearoa”, which means “Sustaining the Tonga Language in Aotearoa.”

Ke Tu’uloa ‘a e lea faka-Tönga′ ‘i Aotearoa has a positive and progressive connotation. To support the overarching Language Weeks theme of Sustainability, the word TU’ULOA in the theme this year means to continuously grow, nurture, and sustain a valued idea, practice, event, or memory in an enduring way.

In his acknowledgement of Tonga Language Week, Minister for Pacific Peoples Aupito William Sio urges Tongans everywhere to embrace Uike Kātoanga’i ‘o e lea faka-Tonga, to help stop the decline in its use by the New Zealand-born Tongan population.

Activities and events will be hosted throughout Aotearoa, to embrace Uike Kātoanga’i ‘o e lea faka-Tonga. Given the success of Tongan Language Week online last year, some community groups are planning to deliver their initiatives online, while the majority will be face-to-face. Many of the initiatives this year continue to focus on youth and the passing of cultural knowledge from the elders to young people. 

Bookmark this page to see the Calendar of Events when published. Stay connected online by visiting the official NZ Tonga Language Week Facebook page.

LEABANK SCHOOL PRACTICE LOCKDOWN

Leabank Primary School will be conducting a Lockdown Exercise

TODAY, FRIDAY 2 SEPTEMBER AT 2:00PM

Please refrain from contacting any staff at the school, as this could lead to distraction from their primary focus, which is caring for our students.  This should only take about 30 minutes and is a practice so that students and staff know what to do in an emergency. Gates will be closed and the telephone will not be answered during this time.

School Board Elections Parent Election Results Declaration

 

School Board Elections Parent Election Results Declaration

(no voting election required)

At the close of nominations, as the number of valid nominations was equal to the number of vacancies required to be filled, as a result of this I declare the following duly elected: 

Names:

  • Louise Stowers
  • Hokimai Rosieur
  • Fransis Joseph
  • Jennifer Heka
  • Mauga Feagaiga-Fagasa

 

Lei T
Returning Officer

Ngā mihi o Matariki, te tau hou Māori

Matariki is a special occasion in the New Zealand calendar that marks the start of the Māori New Year. Signified by the Matariki cluster of stars reappearing in our night sky, this is a time to reflect on the past year, celebrate the present, and plan for the year ahead.

What is Matariki?
Matariki is a star cluster that appears in the early morning sky in New Zealand during the mid-winter months.  The star cluster is well known throughout the world and at different times of the year can be seen around the globe. It is one of the brightest clusters in the sky, containing hundreds of member stars.

Matariki has different names around the world. In English, it is called by its ancient Greek name, Pleiades or the Seven Sisters. In Hawaiian it is Makali’i, ‘eyes of royalty, and in Japan it is Subaru, meaning ‘gathered together.

What is the significance of Matariki?

Matariki is known as the Māori New Year in Te Ao Māori (the Māori worldview). Closely connected with the maramataka (the Māori lunar calendar), the reappearance of the Matariki stars in the early morning sky brings the past year to a close. It marks the beginning of the new year.

Mātauranga Māori (ancestral knowledge and wisdom) is at the heart of celebrations of the Matariki public holiday and it will be a time for;

  • Remembrance – Honouring those we have lost since the last rising of Matariki
  • Celebrating the present – Gathering together to give thanks for what we have
  • Looking to the future – Looking forward to the promise of a new year

Historically, the stars of Matariki were also closely tied to planting, harvesting and hunting. If the stars appeared clear and bright, it signified a great season ahead.

How to celebrate Matariki

Traditionally, Matariki festivities included lighting ritual fires, making offerings and various celebrations to farewell the dead, honour ancestors and celebrate life. Nowadays, people all across Aotearoa come together to remember their ancestors, share (kai) food, sing songs, tell stories and play music.

Matariki is about reconnecting with your home and whānau (family). 

Today there are many ways to acknowledge the Māori New Year and observe the rising of Matariki:

  • Take time to remember loved ones who are no longer with you
  • Give thanks for the year that has passed
  • Enjoy a Matariki feast together
  • Plan for the next year
  • Spend time with family and friends
  • Write down your wishes for the year
  • Plan to grow a garden