Creative in Schools Kaupapa
Creative in Schools is a fantastic initiative we have going at Te Kura o Matapihi. The aim of the programme is to deliver a new creative in partnership with a professional artist or creative practitioner. We are absolutely stoked we were successful in achieving funding from the MoE for this initiative. We are fortunate to welcome our local Maori artist Stu McDonald into our kura to teach our tamariki ngā toi and to revisit Purakau and local history of this rohe. Together, the Kura, Whanau, tamariki, mokopuna, and kaiako we will be creating a mural that depicts the local pūrakau (legends), ngā atua(gods), creation stories, tipuna rongonui (prominent ancestors), landmarks and whakataukī (proverbs).Alongside all of this we are hoping to engage local kaumatua to share their experiences and stories about growing up in Matapihi as well. The artforms used in this process will include kowhaiwhai and whakairo which will translate the stories and become the metaphorical interpretation of these stories. Tauira will co-design the mural including their goals and aspirations for the art piece and their perceptions of their connections to the whenua, rohe of Matapihi and the ūara(values) of the kura. These will be used as points of references for kaiako to use in teaching and learning. The Tuakana/Teina relationship will be utilised in this project with older akonga supporting and guiding their teina and the teina providing insight and inspiration. Mahitahi will underpin the project, ensuring that a collective approach is used valuing the input of all age groups, the kaiako, whanau and the wider community. A key aim of this project is to begin the process of visually transforming Matapihi kura in a way that reflects Te Ao Māori and the central values, principles and pedagogy that of the kaimahi, kaiako, akonga, whanau and hapori.
