Hokule'a & Hikianalia Reflection

On Wednesday, 26th of March, all children from the Manaiakalani schools came down to sing a Waiata that greeted the two double hulled wakas the Hikianalia and Hokule’a.

Early in the morning over 2,000 children arrived at the Pt England Reserve to see the two amazing wakas the Hokule’a and the Hikianalia. Everyone thought it was amazing and so did I because Paige, Mrs Lagitupu and I had the opportunity to ride and film on the Hikianalia as it was coming to shore.

Everything was incredible, the nice calm water, the people and the waka itself. I thought the coolest thing on the Hikianalia was the two big anchors. To carry it you would need at least five people, four to carry and one to pull the very long chain. Then they would carefully put it into the sea.

As everybody (Manaiakalani schools) on the reserve chanted ‘E oho’ the crew started smiling and saying that it was beautiful and amazing. Then it was time to leave the waka A dinghy came and took us to the beach and that’s where we saw all the children singing a waiata and the children in front dancing and doing the pukana.

This welcome was all for the people who worked on the Hikianalia and the Hokule’a. Then Mr Burt (Principal of Pt England) told all the children to come past the crew members and give them an awesome high five. This took at least half an hour long as there were 2,000 children. After that all the children left except for 3 from each school.

The children who stayed back were the children who got to eat a delicious hangi including the waka crew members (Hangi is food that is cook in the ground). Inside there was kumara, potato, stuffing, and a yummy drum stick.

It was a privilege to meet these people because those people or crew members are really fantastic they didn’t have to come down to meet us but yet they did, all for us our school our community just to learn a little bit about us and what we do. It was so spectacular and I am really happy that this event was so significant and successful.

Why your child should attend Tamaki College

Does your child go Pt England School? and is almost finished intermediate also are you having problems figuring out what College they should attend, well have I got a solution for you.

Tamaki College is just up the road from Pt England and it is a great school for Year 8’s who are using a digital device like a Netbook or Chromebook because they are stall working with the Manaiakalani Network. This means you will be able to use your device in class and not be confused while using it.

In Tamaki your child will have many opportunities like meeting the Minister of Education or New Zealander of the Year like Dr Lance O’Sullivan. Not only are there opportunities, there are many new awesome teachers and friends,  at Tamaki everyone is considered equal so when you start you don’t have to be shy.

Another reason your child should go to Tamaki College is because of their PB4L which stands for Positive Behaviour for Learning, it means that positive behaviour can be learnt and difficult and disruptive behaviour can be unlearnt. It also means that individual children are not a problem they need to change the environment around them to support positive behaviour.

I have given five reasons why your child should attend Tamaki, number 1 because of Netbooks, number 2 Opportunities, number 3 Teachers, number 4 friends and number 5 Behaviour.

If you have agreed to let your child attend this amazing College you will be asked to make an appointment in the school office. Students are to be accompanied by their parents or caregivers to the interview, I really hope you have enjoyed this little letter and I really wish you have recommended this cool school.