Last week we had a special Matariki Day. Matariki is the time of the year that traditionally Māori celebrate their new year. During the month of May we can't see Matariki because it is hidden by the sun, but June the small cluster of 7 stars becomes visible low in the eastern sky. Matariki is a time for feasting, story telling, being with whanāu, kite flying, dancing, planting, remembering ancestors and celebrating. We decided to have a day where we buddied up with a junior or middle class and created something together.
Some classes made harakeke weaving, cardboard kites, origami stars, wood carving, woven stars, spinners and collaborative posters. Some made delicious stuffed kumara! Yum!
Did you know that the Matariki stars are actually much much much bigger and hotter than our own star, the sun. They look cold because they are blue, but if you look closely at a flame on a candle you will see that the hottest part at the bottom of the flame, is blue. If the Matariki stars were as close to Earth as the sun...we would cook!
Here are some pictures of our special day.
