Cook Island Language Week 2017

Kia Orana & welcome to our Cook Island Language Week for 2017. 
So many exciting things happened for us this week. We had parent involvement with our cooking & arts & crafts, and when we were invited to Panmure Library, Esther happily transported our little team of performers.

We are very grateful to have whanau support...Meitaki (thank you) to Mataora, Mama Tere, 

Mama Kau and Esther.

Our spontaneous Fashion/Talent show encouraged tamariki to get involved. Here, tamariki showed confidence, and flare as they walked the catwalk, posed, danced & sang proudly at the top of their lungs.

Some Cook Island inspired arts & crafts were a big hit as usual...Ei Katu (headbands) are always a favourite with our tamariki. 

Dress-Up Day was how we ended our Cook Island Language Week for this year, and of course we had to have our favourite Cook Island music beats playing throughout the day...

We hope you enjoyed our little snippet of one of our favourite weeks of the year...

The Last 4 Weeks...

We have been busy little explorers and learners over the last few weeks...

Our cultural dress up day followed on from our Cook Island Language Week Celebrations. Acknowledging the backgrounds of our tamariki encourages a sense of inclusion and belonging, and enables all of our children to know that they have a place at Apii Potiki.

On this particular day, our tamariki helped to create a mural that involved sharing thoughts and ideas about their cultures.

Our teacher Faith worked alongside our teacher Apii who showed us how to make 'Otai', a traditional Tongan drink using island fruits (yum).

'The feeling of belonging, in the widest sense, contributes to inner well-being, security, and identity' (Te Whariki).

Current Planning- 'Managing Self'

With different age groups learning together, there will be challenges from time to time. Challenges which teachers have noticed include tamariki demonstrating difficulties with- sharing, empathising, and solving disagreements.

Some strategies teachers have been using so far to promote positive behaviour include: visual wall displays, spontaneous group discussions/sharing times, encouraging tamariki to solve conflict with positive language (both verbal & non-verbal) & teachers role modelling positive behaviour etc.

'Children experience an environment where they are kept safe from harm when they develop a sense of responsibility for their own well-being and that of others...' (Te Whariki).

Tongan Language Week

A small group of us walked to Te Oro to experience some Tongan talent. A few local Tongan preschools put on a wonderful show of song and dance. 

Thanks to our own talented multi-lingual teacher Apii, for being our interpreter, and keeping us informed of what was happening.

Gym Time

Monday gym time continues to be a happy time for our tamariki. 

Active movement is a great way for our tamariki to develop and strengthen not only physically, but also emotionally. Continuous displays of growing self-confidence, and self-empowerment for our tamariki during gym sessions are being demonstrated every time we hear them say words like - "I can do it!"

and "I did it!"

Birthdays & Transitions

Happy Birthday to so many of our August & September tamariki!!!

Our recent ones being Pita who turned 2 & moved to the Over 2's, and Finau who turned 5 & will be starting at Glen Innes Primary School on Monday 19th September. All the best Finau! 

Niuean Language Week

This week we provided our tamariki with opportunities to get involved in celebrating Niuean Language Week...

There was lots of cooking; coconut bread, banana and coconut cake, and a spinach and corned beef dish with green bananas. We also got busy with the arts; paper weaving and making kahoa (flower lei).

Our teacher Mary taught us an action song, while Deidre helped us make our Niuean flags.

Jane and Luisi (friends from our local community) came to read us some Niuean stories, and to end our week celebration, Mama Tere and Rangi cooked up an island feast-delicious!

Fakaaue Lahi (thank you) to our tamariki for wanting to get involved and participate, and also to all our staff for supporting our Niuean culture!

Cook Island Te Maeva Nui Event 2015

On Monday 17th August 2015 at the Browns Road Netball Courts in Manurewa, Apii Potiki participated in the Punanga Reo Kuki Airani celebration of Te Maeva Nui.

Thank you to all the parents, staff & helpers that made this an enjoyable day of celebrations.

Sharing the Knowledge

We feel blessed to have knowledgeable teachers, and today Mama Tere and Rangi did our Apii proud when they accepted an invitation to attend Aoga Teuila, to showcase their Cook Island doughnut making skills.

We also got to see how our Samoan friends made their own tie dying patterns, and Cook Island displays. Meitaki Maata AogaTeuila.

Our Language Our Culture Our Community

Kia Orana!!!! Celebrate with us Cook Island Language this week