Matariki

Matariki, or Māori New Year celebrations were once popular, but stopped in the 1940s. In 2000, they were revived. Only a few people took part at first, but in just a few years thousands were honouring the ‘New Zealand Thanksgiving’. A special feature of Matariki celebrations is the flying of kites – according to ancient custom they flutter close to the stars.

Matariki signals the Māori New Year. It is a time of renewal and celebration in New Zealand that begins with the rising of the Matariki star cluster (the Pleiades or Seven Sisters).

Traditionally Matariki was celebrated by gathering with whanau (family) and reflecting on the past. The festival’s connection to the stars provided an opportunity for families to remember their whakapapa (genealogy) and those ancestors who had passed away to the heavens. Offerings were made to land-based gods who would help provide good crops, and new trees were planted to signal new beginnings.

How do communities recognise Matariki?

Matariki is a good opportunity for Maori to share their stories and culture with the wider community, and many events and activities are planned throughout the country to share and celebrate Matariki. Some common events and activities include:

• Concerts and cultural performances
• Art exhibitions
• Art and Craft Workshops
• The sharing of myths and legends
• Astronomy Workshops
• Hangi and Feasts
• Dawn Ceremonies
• Family Days
• Tree Planting in Conservation Areas
• Whakapapa (Genealogy) Workshops
• Cooking Demonstrations

Social Studies Reflection

I've learn a lot of interesting things in Social Study this term, first with the Human Rights, there are 30 Universal Human Rights made by the United Nations to give the rights and freedom to everyone equally and legally.

Second is the Atlantic Slave Trade where human rights has been taken away from the slaves by the Europeans. Slave Trade Triangle is the voyage or journey of the Europeans from Europe to Africa to America and back to Europe. They buy the African slaves from the African Kings in exchange of weapons and goods then sell the slaves for auction in America for cotton, tabacco, etc. and brought all their goods back to Europe. Slaves are tortured and killed that affected their human rights.

Finally, the Child Labour, Child Soldier and Human Trafficking, people can control other people because of money, money controls everything, if you're rich, then you have no worries, but the poor people are always behind, they can't do something to  defend themselves, it's like their hands are cuffed, their mouths are taped and eyes are closed. Our lesson for this term are all connected to Human Rights, it seems like every aspect in this world has an impact in everyone's human rights. It's very important to learn and be educated, we can treasure knowledge, and by knowledge we can fight for our selves.

Journal Entry No. 6

Stella (Girl 1) POV:

This is my chance to get revenge, I want him to feel the pain I felt. And also, that girl, I thought she was my friend, but I’m just going to give her a little pain for betraying me. Get ready my ex and my dear friend.




The students were all tired from the journey that they can barely walk anymore, legs are shaking and eyes are sleepy. They opened the big front door, pulled their bags in and lean on to each other while yawning. The sun is still up making the sky very beautiful. They went up the stairs trying hardly to carry their heavy things all the way to their rooms and get some rest for tomorrow is the beginning of their project.Cherry approached Rafael, her boyfriend, furiously,




“Why are you being like this? I thought you two were over,” Cherry said.




“What the hell are you talking about? I’m not i the mood to fight right now Cherry” Rafael replied.




“I am, too. But this is your fault, if your not being too in touch with Stella that you almost forgot I exist as your girlfriend” she exclaimed.




Cherry walked away and bumped onto Stella as she got more mad, her footsteps were like earthquake and she banged the door. The other students were shocked, they all went out fromtheir rooms and asked what happened, Stella acted innocently like a child who doesn’t know anything.



Cherry’s POV:

I hate the idea of being jealous! I’m his girlfriend now, I have the control. Ohhh that girl, I hate her! Who said I’m friends with her, if only this is not her place I would pull her hair until no single strand is left. She’s the one who needed me that time, she doesn’t have any friend that I felt sorry for her but why is everybody siding with her now, even Rafael. I know they used to be together, but it’s over now, it’s been a year but she can’t move on, and now trying to seduce my boyfriend.


The tense between Cherry and Stella remain. Their friends don’t have any idea about what’s going on between them, they didn’t know that Rafael and Stella used to date. In the villa, if the two girls bump to each other with the furious look in their eyes and their fist trying to hold back.


The moon shines above so brightly, it’s unpredictable that rain pours down heavily after a moment, it looks like there’s a storm coming The cook prepared their dinner and rang the bell to call all the students. Cherry came first at the table, a negative energy is felt, she came rushing into the kitchen holding a pil, secretly putting it to a strawberry juice, she know Stella loved strawberry and doesn’t drink anything else.


Happy glowing eyes can be seen when they saw how the food is prepared, it’s so attractive to their eyes. They began their feast, Cherry is always looking at Stella if she’s drinking the strawberry juice but they will finish soon and she didn’t get a sip yet. One student requested Rafael to do something funny, he’s known to be the joker in their class. Cherry noticed that Rafael is staring at Stella while smiling.


“Did you like my performance?”, Rafael asked while bursting his laugh.


When he was about to seat, Rafael tripped and fell down to Stella. Cherry got mad, she stood up grabbed the glass and screamed, it almost looked like she was possessed. She push Rafael back and hit Stella. Stella’s head is bleeding really bad and fell down to the floor. Out of Cherry’s shock, she dropped the broken glass and fell her knees to the floor.


“I didn’t mean to kill her”, she cried.

Year 10 - Group Performance

1. Who is in your group and what is each person doing?
Alyana and Hillary

2. What is the song you are working on? ( add a youtube link)
What a Beautiful Name

3. Why did you choose that song?
We love this song so much, like our favourite and we want to use our voices and skill for God.

4. What is the song about?
It's about how Jesus, His name is beautiful and wonderful. It's all about praising and lifting Jesus.

5. What is going to be the challenging part of the song.
The part before the chorus
6. what are you rehearsing this week?
The whole song.

Journal Entry No. 7

Greed is 'I'

The World is Greedy. The people in this world is greedy, selfish and careless. Everyone could be greedy, you and I have been in a situation wherein we're really greedy. But how come we notice other person's greediness but we don't see it to ourselves? I am not saying that you and I are always greedy but, people are blind to their selves, try looking at the mirror to see and examine your own self.

Greed, the first time you hear it you'll already feel how bad this word is. Greed is when you take and take without concerning the feelings and situations of others and only you will benefit. In science, it's parasitism, the greedy person is the parasite and the other is the host, the parasite will just suck all your blood to be full and live, but the host will feel sick and weak and will get nothing but losing. Or simply, greed is defined as a one-lettered word 'I' and nothing else. 'I' will never be contented on what it has, 'I' wants everything in the world, 'I' will never stop taking and receiving. 'I' don't care about others, 'I' is the most important.

Letter 'I' is the most greedy letter that no matter how much it has will never be enough, but is 'I' a greedy person too? Ask 'I'.