St Claudine Thevenet School Kapa Haka Group

WelCom September 2018:

Sue Jury, Principal

St Claudine Thevenet School Kapa Haka group wore their new uniforms at the 2018 Catholic Schools Convention Mihi Whakatau. The uniforms are designed in the school colours. The school logo in the middle of the bodice represents Wainuiomata – the hills and the river with the cross in the centre represent the faith.
Back (l-r) Fa’au’uga Muaiava, Lordes Tanoai, Sviat Kuznetsov, Alizay Hughes-Toalepai, Alliah Nanai, Katie Muaiava, Sienna MacDonald-Solomona, Tatiana Edwards, Kuini Nanai-Leota, ‘Ofa Fifita, Tyra Samuelu, Deziah Sa’u, Anahera Eru, Janique Te Wiki-Mu, Latira Chadwick, Canon Hakaraia, Abby Shingleton. Front (l-r) Logan Pasene, Roman Kersten, Ryder Toheriri-Tangipo, Jasmine van Driel, Nadine Malaki, Keira Smith, Genesis Seupule-Mose, Naphtali Sulusi.
Photo: Annette Scullion

When students St Claudine Thevenet School, Wainuiomata, were asked to support the Mihi Whakatau for the Catholic Schools Convention in July they said it was a great honour to do so. It emphasises two things we hold very highly – our Catholic faith and celebrating and sharing our Māori culture.

Kapahaka and te reo hold an important place in our school. Through manakitanga we ensure our students are culturally located. It is important we provide culturally appropriate learning context for Māori students and that we also provide a context where Māori students can bring their own cultural experiences and expertise to their learning.

The students sang Tihei Mauri Ora at the Mihi Whakatau.

This waiata is often used to greet visitors at a pōwhiri or used as a welcome song. The tikanaga of manaakitanga (hospitality) is important when welcoming manuhiri (visitors).