Maori teacher-trainees visit Raetihi

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 13, Issue 602, 5 September 1995, Page 8

Maori teacher-trainees visit Raetihi

By

Amiria

Teki

A visit to Raetihi by the Rangahaua — the Maori teachers training unit which is based at the Whanganui Regional Community Polytechnic — gave the pupils of Raetihi school, in both the bi-lingual unit and across the board, the opportunity to show their skills last week. The skills not only included the usual tradition of powhiri and mihi and the more traditional cultural performance but also their extended learning in areas of playacting, conversation, verse and story-telling (during a school concert). About 20 students and their families, together with their tutors, arrived from Wanganui and following the welcome at Mo Te Whanau Kohanga Reo, were taken to the school where the concert took place. The bi-lingual unit of the school put on an excellent performance, judging by the applause from the packed house. Children from all levels performed, including those from the main-stream sectors of the school. A balance of English and Maori was demonstrated in all aspects of the concert performance. Following the half-time break the Rangahaua group entertained in both Maori and English, in song, haka and the more modern of aCtion song performance. To the delight of the entire audience, the children from the various kohanga reo entertained with a big helping-hand from their tutors. The opportunity to entertain and perform as part of the entire learning of Maori is an encouraging one for both pupil and tutor alike, said a Rangahaua representative. It also gives the parents and their families the chance to see the level of progress made.