Monday 21 August 2023

Kapahaka Expectations

 Kia ora Whānau,

Taylor and Mia have worked on 'Kapahaka Expectations' for us, so that our sessions are successful.

Kapa haka Expectations 

  • Stay focused on singing and the people that are talking up the front.

  • Try to join even if you don’t know the words. JUST TRY!

  • Sit next to someone you will be sensible with.

  • Listen to Damian because the history behind the songs we sing is important to know.

  • Sit up straight while singing.

  • Respect the Manukau people and teachers who use their time to help you learn about kapa haka.

  • If people are having are hard time concentrating help them out.

  • Be proud if you get picked to lead a song it just means we all think you’re a good singer.


Ka mau te wehī, Taylor and Mia! Thank you for thinking of us- we're lucky to have you!

Ka kite,
Damian

Friday 18 August 2023

Community Evening Performance

 Kia ora Koutou,

Last Thursday, the Birchwood Kapahaka group performed. We are lucky enough to have Aunty Emma as a parent at our school, and grateful that she took and shared videos of the performance. Thank you so much!

I'd like to acknowledge the rōpū for the effort they put in to coming to lunchtime practises. Also, you'll notice there are juniors performing too. That was an unexpected but very welcome treat. I am sure they will grow into excellent performers.

Hareruia

Ko Toku Marae (Kaea- Sadie)

E Minaka Ana (Kaea- Taylor)

Matua Hautere (Kaea- Mara)

We hope you enjoy these videos.

Our kapa time for the rest of the term is likely to be 1130- 1230. Juniors can come for 1130- 1200, or stay till the end. Whānau, you're welcome to come and sit in (join in)- you don't need to make an appointment, and it's free :)

Ngā mihi,
Damian
damian.hardman@birchwood.school.nz

Tuesday 20 June 2023

Matariki Performances Homework 2023

Kia ora Koutou,

The Birchwood School and Stoke-Tāhunanui Kāhui Ako Matariki celebrations are next Wednesday. 

We are performing two waiata at Nayland College, and we want to also practise at school and home so we can do our best on the night. Please find time to practise in your own time (not just during our practises).

Matua Hautere http://bwskapahakawaiata.blogspot.com/p/matua-hautere-ngati-kuia.html E Hoki Mai Rā http://bwskapahakawaiata.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_12.html (Make sure you practise actions too. Watch for her right foot takahi).

Ngā mihi,

Damian Hardman,

Damian.Hardman@birchwood.school.nz

Tuesday 6 June 2023

Birchwood School and Stoke-Tāhunanui Kāhui Ako Matariki Celebration

Oops this did not cut-and-paste very well :/


Birchwood School and Stoke-Tāhunanui Kāhui Ako Matariki Celebration


Kia ora Koutou,

Birchwood School and the Stoke- Tāhunanui Kāhui Ako are each holding Matariki
celebrations on Wednesday 28 June. 



Birchwood school
event starts at 2pm. Parents and whānau are invited to come to school and experience
some of our learning around Matariki and our ‘Future Starts with Me’ inquiry. 



Birchwood kapa haka will perform at 2.45pm. We’re not sure where yet because the
hall will be a construction zone! But we’ll keep you posted. The BOT will run a
sausage sizzle.



The Kāhui Ako Matariki event at Nayland College is 5.30pm to approximately 7.30pm.
It includes time for local kura to share their kapa haka groups. Birchwood’s
kapa haka group will perform (at a time to be confirmed). There will be kai available
(example, Birchwood PTA will be serving pork buns). More information will be shared
as it becomes available.



If your child is able to attend the Kāhui Ako Matariki evening, or you’re able to help on
the night, please either sign and return the slip below, or email Damian (address below).



Please let me know if you have any questions. 



Ka kite,


Damian Hardman,
damian.hardman@birchwood.school.nz

****************************************************************************************


Please return the slip below (or email Damian) if your child is able to attend the Kāhui Ako Matariki event at Nayland College, between 5.00pm- 7.30pm.

My child _________________ room ____ will be attending the Kāhui Ako event.



I am able to be a parent helper on the night:  If YES, please print your name and
phone number: 


Tuesday 2 May 2023

 Kia ora Koutou,

It is a lovely, rainy season at the moment but at least the lawns are being watered.

We are adding a couple of new waiata to our playlist: 'Matua Hautere' and 'Kia Ū, Kia Mau'. Both of these waiata were introduced to kaiako at Birchwood through the Te Ahu o te Reo Māori course. The really nice thing about Te Ahu was that so many of our kaiako have been on it, and the learning is all from Te Tau Ihu o te Waka. So, these are local waiata with important stories behind them. 

I have not yet asked permission to upload the videos etc onto this blog, but as they are here solely for the purpose of our learning them. I know that some of our expert kapa haka ākonga learn waiata at home, and we're very proud of them for doing this. 

If you have any questions or comments about these waiata, or anything else on this blog, please do be in touch. 

Ka kite,

Damian Hardman.

damian.hardman@birchwood.school.nz

Thursday 8 September 2022

Te Wiki o te Reo Māori Motivation

 Kia ora Koutou,


Next week is TE WIKI O TE REO MĀORI. It's a big deal this year because it's 50 years since a petition was sent to Parliament to acknowledge te Reo Māori in Aotearoa / New Zealand.

You can click here to read how Birchwood school will celebrate this year.


As part of this, we're checking in with the school waiata we all know, need to know, and know we need to know.


Here's a list of "must know":

Ko Toku Marae

Utaina

Tutira Mai

Te Aroha



These ones we "need to know":

E Hoki mai ra (ka pioioi)

E I A I E

Whakarongo ake au

Toi-a mai te waka nei



These are older but we know these too:

He Honore

He Kakano Ahau

Haere Mai


Here are some we're working on:

E Minaka Ana

Ko Te Waipounamu



We'll update this list over the next few weeks, and make sure there's a slideshow for you (might be easier than using this blog).


Let me know if you have any questions, or ideas for waiata we could learn.


Ngā mihi,

Damian

damian.hardman@birchwood.school.nz

Tuesday 6 July 2021

BIRCHWOOD KAPA HAKA - MATARIKI CELEBRATION PERFORMERS


 

7 July 2021


Kia ora Whānau! 

 

This is a notice for the whole Birchwood kapahaka haka whanau who are performing at tomorrow's Matariki celebration.

 

Junior Syndicate (with Amy).

Please meet in the hall at 640. Sit near the front.

 

Junior Performance (with Damian and Briar).

Wear your green school t-shirt. If you come to school in mufti, you'll need to get changed into your school top for performance. Shoes off for performance.

 

Senior Performance.

Senior girls. 

You will be given your dress at school tomorrow. Please have a clean bag (eg cloth supermarket bag) to carry it home. Come to school wearing it in the evening. Wear something like a t-shirt over top to keep it clean.

 

Senior boys. 

Wear black shorts. For the performance, you will choose to wear a green Birchwood school t-shirt, or go bare chest.

 

ALL KAPA HAKA.

Come to the hall at 640. Shoes off. Sit near the front in your kapa haka group is easiest for us.

 

Any questions please ask Damian.

damian.hardman@birchwood.school.nz