We have really enjoyed the beautiful weather this week, it certainly has made a difference to the spring in our step. As we move into our last two weeks of term one, we prepare for our next focus in our local curriculum of Puanga.
Puanga is the star Rigel in Orion. Most of the tribes of the Māori people in Aotearoa observed Puanga to mark the beginning of the Māori New Year. In Māori mythology he was believed to be the older brother of Matariki. His cosmic rising between May and June in the early morning sky signalled the beginning of winter.
This year at Inglewood Primary we are planning a very special time which includes the installation and blessing of our Tomokanga week 9 of term 2.
There is great progress being made by Matua Moni and Matua Barry and the classes will have lots to learn, create and share around the Puanga celebrations. The Friday of week 8 is the first Public Holiday in Aotearoa celebrating Puanga/Matariki our Māori New Year. Over the weeks we will add in snippets of the learning and understanding we gain, for now here is a little piece around gardening.
Puanga and gardening activities Puanga is also a time to prepare the māra garden and ensure that winter frosts will help to kill any weeds or soil infections.
This time is likened to, and re-enacts, the creation period of Te Kore (the void/potential) and once the land has been treated, it will then go through a period of Te Pō (the night – or a time to plant). Then as the shoots of the food sprout above the soil, the plants transition into Te Ao Mārama (the world of light).
Like Matariki, Puanga is a time of reflection, preparation, learning, and celebration.
