Kāhui Ako ki Orewa

 

Rāmere, te 15 o Haratua, 2020

Māori phrases and kupu as we head back to our kura

We have compiled some kupu and phrases that you can normalise in your kura next week. Top tip: Try one at a time to make it manageable and normalise it in your practice.

Mate Korona – COVID -19

Ma-teh core-rdow-nah

Mirumiru – Bubble

Me-rdu-me-rdu

Horoia ō ringaringa – Wash your hands

Hore-roy-ah or rding-ah-rding-ah

Kei te awangawanga ahau – I’m feeling anxious

Kay teh ah-wanga-wanga ah-ho

 

Use links for teachers

Follow the link here to a short video for younger students about the new ‘normal’ at school. Moist breath Zone! A very cute and catchy song for juniors

This is a super New Zealand website that helps support principals and teachers working with children when they first return to school following major traumatic or life changing events. Link here. Grounded in Papatūānuku, Te Rito Toi is at the centre and soul of healing, for even amongst the chaos of seasonal transitions, elemental effects and changes, Te Rito remains strong as the heart of the kōrari (harakeke).

Upstart magazine has made available a digital version of their magazine for April /May. Access the link here. It has a load of online learning activities and provides students an opportunity to share their stories.

Home Learning Writing Ideas

Some of our students have been a little reluctant to put pen to paper while learning at home. Try this 30 day challenge bingo chart for some inspiration. Or use this as a base to make your own writing challenge for your students.

 

Same lockdown BUT different bubbles

Although we all, as a school community, went through a lockdown, our experiences during it may have been different. Some of us may have enjoyed a happy, chilled out bubble. For others, the lockdown may have been a time of anxiety, conflict and distress. For many of us it was a mixture of all of the above. Unfortunately, for some, the lockdown was extremely difficult, having been further complicated by mental health issues, loss, trauma or abuse within their bubble.

We will all respond to the pandemic and lockdown in different ways. Post-lockdown stress reactions can be experienced physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually and behaviourally. Some students and staff may be able to quickly regain a sense of ‘normalcy’ on returning to school. However, some may experience symptoms of distress. These distress reactions may be experienced immediately, but some can experience symptoms days, weeks or many months later.

Put your own mask on first

Only when we first help ourselves can we effectively help others. Caring for yourself is one of the most important—and one of the most often forgotten—things you can do in order to be there for others . When your needs are taken care of, the students you care for will benefit too. Self-care means looking after yourself physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. In doing this you are also modelling healthy strategies for your students.

It is also important to reach out and ask for support when you notice you are struggling. This might mean speaking to a friend, family member, colleague or support agency. If you would like to know which support agencies are available for your specific situation or needs, our counselling team is happy to help guide you through this.

Are you O.K? What to do if you are concerned about someone

Sometimes a student’s distress is communicated by ‘acting out’ in class. In addition to setting and reinforcing strong, firm boundaries and expectations, an ‘are you o.k’ conversation can be a powerful way of connecting with a student with distress disguised as bad behaviour. Credit to P.Speedy, counsellor at Orewa College.

Support Local

Buy a voucher now, redeem from your local later. A not-for-profit initiative supporting local businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Link here to support local.

Finally, remember to be kind to yourself and each other