Matariki Magic at Rosmini
The rising of Matariki signals te mātahi o te tau, the Māori new year, and is a time to reflect on the past, celebrate the present, and plan for the future.
The students and staff at Rosmini College were invited to celebrate Matariki in their classrooms, and it was fantastic to see almost every department get involved and incorporate Matariki into their learning.
In food technology the year 9 students made an oven hangi and shared karakia and their pepeha, while year 10 made a sweet kumara pie, decorated with the nine stars of Matariki.
In the art rooms paint was used to colour beautiful star designs, while in technology one of our international students made a Matariki-inspired clock. Year 7s painted a Rangitoto landscape with the Matariki stars and Kowhaiwhai patterns, while the year 8s created manu tukutuku. All the junior artists then worked together to decorate stars and feathers for the library and art room displays.
Science students made and flew kites, and year 9 English students read Māori mythology before writing their own myth or legend with a special whanau connection.
In year 10 drama they looked at the meaning behind the nine stars of Matariki and created a performance in reflection.
Year 7s decorated stars and included a goal for their time at Rosmini, and a goal for when they are an adult. Goal setting and reflection was also a theme in PE classes.
The week of celebrations ended with te reo Māori students sharing a hangi together.
Thank you to everyone who embraced Matariki in the school - we hope you enjoyed it!
My Matariki (New Year) Poem
By Max Wong, year 10
The sun dips low into a fiery inferno of orange and red,
Another year has passed so I cast my eyes ahead,
Calm waves create a crystal-clear mirror,
My reflection stares back as memories draw nearer,
Achievements are treasured and failures are given a second chance,
Then I repeat it all over again, almost as if in a trance.
Pinpricks of stars glint in the twilight,
I look up and hope far-away friends are sharing in the sight,
I’m comforted by those around me,
Classmates and teachers who’ve gone through the year’s journey,
And I wonder about my grandparents overseas,
Hopefully, they’re at ease.
I’m grateful to call this beautiful country my home,
Every second here ticks by like a metronome,
Looking back,
I’ve had so much fun with activities that I can’t keep track!
It’s only possible because of my parents,
who’s always been there for my moments.
As a new year descends,
I must rise above distractions and make amends,
To be content with the little things,
And discover what my passion brings,
Conquer my fears and turn a new leaf,
So that waking up tomorrow will be a splendid relief.
Ko te pae tawhiti whāia kia tata, ko te pae tata, whakamaua kia tīna
Seek out distant horizons, and cherish those you attain.
