RUATOKI NATIVE SCHOOL
END OF YEAR ACTIVITIES
OUTSTANDING SCHOOL CONCERT
Something new in school concerts was presented by the Ruatoki Nai tive School senior concert party at the Anzac Hall, Rewarewa (just before the end of the school year. Features of the revue were the original and colourful costuming and the scenery Avhich had been painted by school children. The stage was decorated to represent a typical New Zealand landscape.—snow-tipped misty blue mountains, placid glit<tering lakes reflecting the glory of the native flora and foreground of real ferns and shrubs which threw the setting into perspective. The 'show' opened with a traditional welcome. in Maori by Annie Lei and was interpretered by Arnold Wilson.. After the opening chorus eight girls performed a spirited Irish Jig routine. For the next three-quarters of an hour the company presented an original operetta "Roronga and Ruru" in Maori. In, the main scene on the marae of a native village the performers rendered several action songs poi dances, ancient stick, string and hand games, performed to the accompaniment of rhythmic chants new to most people. The principal parts were taken by Annie Tei a& Rorongo; Makere Tiopira as Marama; Kohine Trainor as Hina; Aka T'ihi as Mama; Paea Whitu as Ina; Raka Rupe as Ruru; Tu Tumoana as Manini; Ttai Mika as Hi'ka; Mannie Taurua as T'amaiti. The players were supported by a chrous of eighty children. To the accompaniment of a large group of children a commentator Rahi Kohonui, described a night in Honolulu while a stage party of twenty presented a l'an dance of Hawaii with the ever changing col-i ours of waving fans;, several songs of the Pacific Isles, a rhythmic clapping Hula, and concluded with hula solos by Rahi Kohonui and Aroha Wilson. After twenty minutes in Honolulu the party withdrew to the strains of Aloha ae. Then followed what was perhaps one of the most popular group of items of the evening. Thirty boys fierce looking in tattoo and Maori costumes performed a series- of hakas and peruperu, as well as giving displays in the use of the patu and taiaha. The. final group of performers took part, in a scene called "A Camptire in the Valley." Supported by the whole company the players under the direction of Queeaiie Kaaho sang Hilly Billy songs, while the ballet chorus danced a "Riding Routine" and a rollicking round dance. Great amusement was caused by the entrance, of a blood thirsty Mexican cowboy and a ferocious, looking "Bull." After an exciting bull fight the hull was tamed and took the I lead in the final dan.ee and chorus.
The two hour non-stop revue, was brought to a close by the singing of the National Anthem. Break-up Day j On the last school day the ladies of Ruatoki conducted a Bring and Buy Fair at the school in aid of the Soldiers Parcel Fund. The Ruatoki Native School Junior Concert Party gave a concert to swell the funds. The programme consisted of songs ? recitations and solos by the infant pupils who also featured the. mitl- ! get poi and liaka teams. The senior infants also sang several action songs and as well as presenting in--dividual recitations acted a. play• For this the. children wore lifelike animal masks made at the school. I The concert concluded with massed
action songs. At mid-day the whole of the pupils were given a free. Christmas lunch topped off with free ice creams. At the end of the festivities the children expressed their thanks bj giving three cheers- lor the. commit-i Tee the teachers and exceptionally heavy ones for Mr Steer of Taneatua who had supplied the ice cream. Scholarship Successes!
Two pupils of the Ruatoki Native School gained Secondary School Scholarships, this year. Queeme Kaaho will go to Turahina Maori Girls College, and Arnold Wilson to Wesley Paerata.
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Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 37, 5 January 1945, Page 5
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639RUATOKI NATIVE SCHOOL Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 37, 5 January 1945, Page 5
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