Category: Hanga | Create

ATAMIRA : Kori Purakau Workshop

Today, our whole school had the exciting opportunity to attend the ATAMIRA: Kori Pūrākau Workshop. From the moment we arrived, there was a buzz of excitement as everyone gathered, ready to experience something new and meaningful. This workshop was not just about dance and movement — it was about storytelling, culture, and learning about our ancestors.

During the workshop, the instructors welcomed us warmly and shared the importance of Kori Pūrākau, which is storytelling through movement. They taught us how our bodies can express emotions, tell stories, and represent important moments from the past. Through their guidance, we learned how our ancestors used movement, performance, and creativity to pass down stories, traditions, and values from generation to generation.

We were split into groups and given the chance to create our own movements based on different parts of a story. It was amazing to see everyone working together, sharing ideas, and building confidence as we performed in front of each other. There were lots of smiles, laughter, and encouragement as we learned new skills and stepped outside our comfort zones.

One of the most special parts of the experience was learning about different cultures and how storytelling connects people. We discovered how our ancestors’ journeys, challenges, and achievements can still inspire us today. The workshop helped us understand the importance of respecting our heritage and being proud of who we are and where we come from.

Overall, the ATAMIRA: Kori Pūrākau Workshop was an unforgettable experience. Our whole school had so much fun while learning valuable lessons about culture, storytelling, and our ancestors. It was a day filled with creativity, teamwork, and inspiration that we will remember for a long time.

 

Umbrella

Umbrella

People walked past us with faces of disgust. I could hear
them talk loudly about how good their lives are. I couldn’t understand why they would say something like that, especially to people who didn’t deserve those words. I turned a deaf ear to the terrible comments and looked up at my father. I met his gaze – a chilling void that still held a desperate spark of light. He smiled a fake smile and then sniffed the air. I did too, smelling a beautiful baked pie from the bakery across the road. I sighed and decided to place my hands just above a soft warm candle that kept me and my father alive.

St Francis Of Assisi

St Francis of Asisi was born in Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone. He is known as Francis of Asisi and was a mystic Italian Poet and Catholic Friar who founded the religious order of the Franciscans. In parts of his life, he served the poor and cared for the marginalised. He wanted to help the poor because he wanted to imitate Jesus Christ’s humility as a way to serve society. This is why Saint Francis of Assisi is the Patron Saint of the Poor as he renounced his wealthy life to embrace absolute poverty.

Summer Learning Journey – Experiments with Eleanor

Today I decided to try one of the Experiments with Eleanor Challenges, and I was really excited to get started. For this experiment, the task was to place a seed inside a wet paper towel and then put it into a clear bag so we can observe what happens over time. I thought this experiment sounded very cool and interesting because it shows how plants begin to grow in a simple way.

I chose to use apple seeds for my experiment. The reason I picked apple seeds is because apples are my favourite fruit. They taste so yummy that sometimes I can eat four apples in one day — and even five if I’m really in the mood! I also liked the idea of watching something I enjoy eating turn into a growing plant.

I felt very excited while setting up this experiment and I can’t wait to see what happens next as the days go by. I am also very happy to share this experiment on my blog so everyone can see what I have been working on and follow along with my learning.

Below is a photo that I took of my seed inside the bag, ready to begin its growing journey!

 

Summer Learning Journey – Bug Treasure Hunt – Step It Up Challenge

For today’s Summer Learning Journey Challenge, I completed a bug hunt. I had so much fun exploring my home to see all the insects I could find and adding pictures of them to a Google Drawing. It was really interesting to notice all the little bugs around me and carefully place each one in my drawing. I enjoyed being creative with how I arranged them and making sure every insect I saw was included.

I felt really happy sharing this experience on my blog because it gave me a chance to show others what I discovered and how I organized my bug hunt. Even though I couldn’t include actual photos of the insects, I was excited to describe my work in words so everyone could imagine it. This challenge was really enjoyable and gave me a sense of pride in what I accomplished.

Take a look below to see my Bug Hunt!

Summer Learning Journey – Bug Treasure Hunt – Kick Start Challenge

Today I began another one of the Summer Learning Journey Challenges, and this time I did a bug hunt. I really enjoyed taking part in this challenge because it gave me the opportunity to explore and notice all the insects around me. I had so much fun putting pictures of the insects I found in my home onto a Google Drawing. It was exciting to see all the different bugs I could find and to organize them in a way that made sense. This activity made me feel proud of my work, and I was very happy with how my bug hunt turned out.

I was especially excited to share this challenge on my blog so others could see the insects I discovered and how I organized them in my Google Drawing. Even though I couldn’t include real photos of the bugs, I was still very happy to share my work in this way so everyone could enjoy it. Overall, this was a really fun and interesting challenge, and I am glad I was able to take part and share my learning with others.

Below is my Bug Hunt!

Summer Learning Journey – Peripatus – Kick Start

Today I began another one of the Summer Learning Journey Challenges. For this Challenge, we had the chance to make a snack in the blender. This by far is now my favourite task out of everything. Not only because it is food related but because I would finally be able to destroy something in the blender and watch is sadly blenderise. I was also very happy because I would share this on my blog where everyone can see it. I took some photos of me blending together some oranges. In my culture when we blend oranges we are making something called Otai. This is a Tongan fruity drink that is made just by blending fruit. My favourite type of Otai is the Mango and Orange ones because they taste so amazing and sweet. Below are some photos I took of me making Otai. In the comments share if you have tasted Otai and what flavour is your Favourite!

Summer Learning Journey – PekaPeka – Roosting Locally – Kick Start Challenge

Starting Another Summer Learning Journey Challenge!

Today I began another one of my Summer Learning Journey Challenges, and I had so much fun! For this challenge, I got to create a Bat Roost, which was such an exciting and creative activity. I really enjoyed thinking about how to make a safe and comfortable space for the bats.

While working on this challenge, I learned some really cool facts about bats:

  1. Bats are the only mammals that can truly fly.

  2. Some bats can eat up to half their body weight in insects in just one night.

  3. Bats use echolocation, which is like a natural sonar, to navigate and find food in the dark.

I’m so happy to share this challenge on my blog because it’s amazing to show everyone what I’ve created and what I’ve learned. Creating the Bat Roost was not only fun but also taught me a lot about these fascinating creatures!

Summer Learning Journey – Pekapeka-Living Locally-Kick Start

Today I began another one of the Summer Learning Journey Challenges, and this time I created a bat ornament. I really enjoyed taking part in this challenge because it gave me the opportunity to be creative and think carefully about my design. While working on my bat ornament, I felt very focused and excited, as I enjoyed choosing how it would look and imagining the final result. This activity made me feel proud of my work, and I was very happy with how my ornament turned out.

I was especially excited to share this challenge on my blog so others could learn about what I created and how I felt during the process. Even though I was unable to share a photo of my bat ornament, I was still very happy to describe it in words so everyone could picture it in their minds. Overall, this was a fun and enjoyable challenge, and I am glad I was able to take part and share my learning with others.