We Support Briar

Matariki

We started our observance of Matariki this year with a whole school raranga / weaving day. We split up into cross class groups and each group went to three different weaving activities throughout the day.

In Ruma Waru our focus was on harakeke/flax weaving.  We learned how to harvest the flax, which parts of the flax to leave  alone (the middle five stems - the family), what to do with the remaining flax scraps (return to the bush they come from) and how to weave ika / fish.

Everyone made at least one ika and the seniors were kind and caring supporters for the junior members of the school. Ka pai to mahi tamariki.

Pieces for returning to the flax bushes

Selecting the flax leaf

 

Lake Daniell Mid-Winter Tramp for William Pike Challenge

Ruma Waru and Ruma Tahi learned about the dangers of hypothermia and the need to be well prepared for all weather. Then we travelled to Lake Daniell in the Lewis Pass area to put into practice all of the information and skills we had learned about. "There is no such thing as bad weather, just bad equipment and poor choices."  We also learned a lot about the long tailed bat (pekapeka) that lives in this area, thanks to Glen. We enjoyed walking through the many varieties of beech trees in the forest, including red beech and mountain beech.

Rhys, Billy and Eamon take a break opposite Pell Stream

Wyatt, Rhys, Callan and Kieran enjoy a well deserved lunch break beside the Lake Daniell jetty.

DOC workers were busy constructing the new Manson Nicholls hut.

Well prepared for the weather, we all enjoyed the lunch break.

Low cloud and rain drops on the surface of Lake Daniell

Rhys stops on the return leg beside the Alfred River