A Rugby World Cup Dream's Coming True!

All Blacks taking out the RWC

Balls kicked high into the air

Countries from all around the world

Defensive tactics used

Events held all around NZ

Fullback Cory Jane racing up the side-line

Goal posts standing like the letter H

Haka - "Ka Mate" performed 

Injuries to mend

Jerseys of all colours are worn

Kicking tees for goal kicking

Loud music and fans shouting

Mascots running around the sidelines 'rarking' up the crowds

Numbers on the backs of jerseys

Opposition vs opposition

Penalty kicks for head highs

Quit - Never give up!

Rugby supporters by the thousands

Spectators dressed in their favourite team colours

Try scoring stars 

USA the team with the stars and stripes flag

Victory winning teams 

Whistles blowing

X-rays looking for broken bones

Yelling fans waving flags

Zig-zagging wingers scoring tries

 

Perfect Winter Storm

Water, rain, snow, hailstones, wind, grey clouds, lightning and thunder, all of these things working together to make the perfect winter storm.  Has anyone counted the number of lightning strikes or thunder claps that have belted out over the top of us?  Winter is definitely here, and we can't wait for the Perfect Summer Heat...  bbbrrrr...

Matariki me To Matou Tainuitanga

 

Exploring Waikato Museum was a new and exciting experience for our tamariki. We learnt about Matariki, her sisters, her parents Tangotango and Wainui, and how nga atua Maori put Matariki in the skies. Learning who Tangotango and Wainui were, was something special because we didn't know about them.

Nathan, our education guide, took us through our Tainui display, 'Nga Pou Whenua'. There are four pou (posts) that mark where the boundaries of Tainui waka are.   There are some precious taonga in the Museum.  Some of them are in glass cases so that they can't be ruined or broken.  Our Tainuitanga is very important to us because we need to know where we came from and who we are.  It is part of our identity as Maori.  

Our parents who came with us, had a great day at the Museum too.  Thanks heaps Nathan and Waikato Museum for teaching us about Matariki and Tainui.

Using Glogeter

We've been using glogster to help us with our learning about Matariki.  Here's my Glogster poster.

 

Ta Matou Maangai Tautoko - Lion Foundation

Ko te Lion Foundation he roopu kaiarahi e awhina i nga Kura me nga roopu kaiawhina.  Nui ake i nga tau 25, ka whoatu te Lion Foundation he maha o te moni ki nga roopu kaiawhina kia tautoko i nga tikanga o nga tangata kei Aotearoa. I tenei tau kua tautoko te Perry Foundation i te Lion Foundation ki te awhina  i nga kura me o ratou tikanga. A, i tenei tau kua whiriwhiria matou Te Kura o Tahaaroa i te Lion Foundation mo ta matou maangai tautoko.  Nga mihi nunui ki a koutou, Lion Foundation mo ou koutou kaha ki te hapai te mahi a Duffy Books in Homes.

Matariki The Seven Stars

Matariki marks the Maori new year. Matariki means little eyes of God. Matariki is also called The Seven Sisters.  These stars come out when it is a new moon around the 5th June.  It is also a good time to start planting seeds. The names of the stars are Waiti, Waita, Waipuna-a-rangi, Uru-a-rangi, Matariki, Tupu-a-nuku, and Tupu-a-rangi. Other cultures like Japan, Greece, Hawaii and Cook Islands also celebrate Matariki.   

Our New Duffy Sponsor - Lion Foundation

The Lion Foundation is one of New Zealand's most popular foundations. For over 25 years Lion foundation has given millions of dollars back to communities around New Zealand.  Recently the Lion Foundation became our new Duffy sponsor. 

 This video shows some of the work that Lion Foundation have done for young people like us.
They are a great sponsor and we'll be glad to have them provide books for Duffy Books in Homes.