Reremoana School

Tena koutou Wattle Downs, I hope this edition of Pond Life finds you well. Here are a couple of highlights from our year so far at Reremoana School.

This term (Term 2) in the Tūī team (Year 5/6) we have been working on an inquiry project called ‘Mahi not the Money’. This day was all about doing good for the community and not expecting anything in return. This was also an event to fill everyone’s hauora (wellbeing).

The Tūī team first thought of this project when we were talking about Te Whare Tapa Whā and what we can do to help not just our own hauora but help those around us too. We had thought of some things that would help out the community. Some of the events that were involved in this project were: a beach clean up, car wash, lawn mowing, helping out at the Manurewa football club and cleaning waka at our local lake. Our tamariki even went down to the Bupa Retirement Village and last but not least a few of our tamariki went to our local kindergartens.

“The carwashing was fun especially when our teachers showed up with their cars! Some of us really loved getting to go to the two local daycares and help out by gardening and reading to them. A lucky few even went out with our mātua (parents) to their workplaces and helped out. Some of the organisations we helped can’t wait for us to come back again soon! In conclusion we loved getting to go out and do something for others. We had a blast so we hope to do this again in the future.”

By Tanvi V, Marley G and Cooper H.

If you have been past Reremoana School in the last few weeks you may have all noticed our spectacular pātaka kai out the front (in front of the garden, next to ELCM Wattle Cove). This taonga was carved by the very talented Joshua SilberyMartin and it represents our name, Reremoana, and the local Manurewa history. The pātaka kai grew out of an inquiry learning unit started by the 2022 Tūī Team that included Aotearoa/New Zealand History. We held the unveiling of the pātaka kai in May (which is named Hinemoana Pātaka Kai) guided by Kaumatua Martin Cooper from the Manurewa Marae. We were honoured to have Mana Whenua and local board members join us for the unveiling - it was a beautiful dawn! The pātaka kai is for our community, to give what you can and take what you need. Since the unveiling it’s been a real pleasure to see kai coming and going and this taonga used to support our community.

Julie Cowan, Principal