Matariki Information Report

 21.06.21

Matariki Dictogloss Information Report

By Zean & Aden

Matariki is the Māori name for the clusters of stars. It is also the Māori New Year of New Zealand. It is also known as the Pleiades. The name also means the “Eyes of God” or “Little Eyes”. According to Greek Mythology “When Ranginui (The Sky Father) and Papatūānuku (The Earth Mother) were divided or separated from their children the God of the Winds (Tawhirimatea) became immensely ferocious that he literally ripped his eyeballs out from his eye sockets”. He would throw them into the heavens. As you know, Matariki is a star that ascends in mid winter.

Matariki is a time to commemorate and remember the deaths of your loved ones. It’s also a time to learn about the land from a century or potentially a millennium ago. It is also a time to hear ancient stories about Matariki as well as dancing. They grew crops of kumara, potatoes, etc. They stopped the celebrations in 1940. Throughout the year (early 2000’s) they revived the celebrations. Altogether there are nine stars. The nine visible stars include Waipuna-ā-rangi, Ururangi, Matariki, Tupu-ā-rangi, Tupu-ā-nuku, Waitī, Waitā, Pohutukawa, Hiwa-i-te-rangi.

Matariki in Greek Myth.

The stars actually used to be human. While they were wandering through the woods, they were spotted by Orion (a hunter). In order to save them from Orions undesirable intentions, Zeus transformed them into stars and placed them in the skies.

Fun Fact: There are actually 500 Matariki stars but 7-9 stars are visible.

This is my poem based on Winter Senses.

 

This is my day at the CTK Samoan Language Week Umu

 Samoan Language Weeks Umu               By Aden

Samoan Language Week’s Umu Brainstorm: Parents & Family Food: Taro, Fish, Banana, Pork, Ham, Rice, Chop Suey, Coconut. Excitement, Cheering, Laughter. Hot Steam, Hot Food. National Anthem

Finally, Friday. But not just a normal Friday. It was a day of two events! Room 6’s Assembly and a Samoan Umu! But of course, it was Miss Haslem’s Last Day. 

A Samoan Umu is a traditional Samoan oven cooked above the ground. There are volcanic rocks on the bottom. At 10:00am, that's when the fun started. First of  all, Room 6’s Assembly. Their Assembly was all based on their learning. They were learning about plants. 

About an hour later..

Just before lunch time we got to see a glimpse of My Family finishing up the Umu. First of all, they took off the banana leaves and the newspaper covering the food wrapped in tin foil. The helpers and myself helped to bring the food onto the table, and now, it was time for the Samoan lunch/Umu!

At lunch time, our class and the school sat down on the top court near the flagpole. Mr T. told us why we were sitting there. Then we sang the Samoan National Anthem (O Le Fu'a o Le Sa'olotoga o Samoa). While Mr T. was raising the Samoan Flag. After the National Anthem, our school came down to the school hall to see the yummy and delicious Samoan food.

Mr Tyrell gave a speech in Samoan and English before we ate. Father Benedict came to bless the food. After blessing the food, Junior classes went first then Senior classes came last. I was last in the line but I could wait. I had Rice, Chop Suey, Taro and a traditional food called Palu Sami.

After eating, Miss Haslem said goodbye to our class, saying how she liked teaching us for five weeks. Overall, it was a fun day trying our Samoan food. But, sadly there is an ending to a good time, but otherwise. That was my day of the Samoan Language week Umu!

My Pepeha Recording

 

My Woven Photo Reflection

 Woven Photo Portrait

1. What did you accomplish?

I accomplished Weaving patiently for 20 - 30 minutes 

2. Are you satisfied with your woven photo portrait? Why / Why not?

I am satisfied with my woven photo because there were no muck ups during the time I was weaving.

3. What did you find easy when you created your woven photo portrait?

I found it easy finding a pattern during the weaving process. It was over and under. 

4. What did you find challenging when you were weaving your woven photo portrait? 

I found adjusting the paper hard because the paper would sometimes stop sticking.

5. What do you need to work on?

I need to work on my patience because I almost ripped the paper because I was going too fast.

6. What would you adjust with your woven photo portrait? 

I think my woven photo is what I wanted and there is no adjusting it with anything.

7. What would you do next time to improve your self portrait?

I would ignore distractions the next time we do a similar task.

My treasure

 

Hello bloggers. This is a treasure I got from Samoa, hope you enjoy!

My Father's Journey Story by Aden

  Lawrence’s Journey Story 

Aden & Ayla’s Dad

By Aden

This is a journey story about how my Dad came to New Zealand.

My Dad was born in Samoa on November 29th 1971. My Dad came to New Zealand in 2008 because my Mum wanted to finish school. He wanted to come here because he was a citizen of New Zealand. It was a direct flight from Samoa to New Zealand. They decided to stay in Auckland because they had family here. He found Auckland rather different compared to Samoa. Auckland was big and Samoa was small. My Dad was homesick during the time. New Zealand is our home now. He misses the beaches, food, and the lifestyle in Samoa. Within the years he has been here, he has only been back to Samoa twice.  

(My Dad when he 

was young)

My blogger profile for 2021

 

Talofa Lava and welcome to my blog! My name is Aden and I am a year 6 student at Christ The King School. My teacher is Miss Paton and we are in Rooms 2-3. I am Samoan but I was born and raised in Auckland, New Zealand. I have six people in my family (including me). My three siblings are Ayla, Lawson, and Astyn. My hobbies are playing sports and video games. I like to learn new things during my free time.

For writing, We made a stanza about the sea is a hungry dog. Inspired by James Reeves.

 

My holiday poem, enjoy

My Similes for day 2 activity 1

We were learning about one type of erosion using sandcastles and using a water bucket as rain to see what happend.