Matariki, the traditional Maori New Year, was celebrated at Waikanae School with several school-wide events.
Matariki is a traditional time to reflect on the past and to continue with positive beginnings. For Waikanae School this has been expressed in the renaming the three school syndicates with new names, each with its own significance, focused on expressing the learning journey of Waikanae School students. In 2011 the school decided that it wanted to give Maori names to the three newly formed syndicates. Choosing the names came after extensive consultation with the Maori community. A special Matariki Assembly was held in the Waikanae Memorial Hall on the 26th June with the primary purpose of unveiling new syndicate names to the wider community. Students and teachers had been working with these names over the past term, producing a range of art work representing the designs and patterns associated with each of the new syndicate names. The assembly was followed by students planting over 100 plants in the school gardens, planting a row of Pukapuka trees along the school boundary, beginning a series of tukutuku panels showing the special pattern for each syndicate, and an art display and Matariki meal in the school hall hosted by the Whanau Roopu (Family Support group).
