Warrington School/Sustainable Education

Matariki - Warrington style

 * Using toi toi (pampas grass) instead of Willow withies and old sewing patterns instead of tissue paper make lanterns with parent helpers and pupils.

Parade onto the playing courts. Continue with chant and noise making. At a given signal (lots of drumming) all stop and place lanterns on the ground. Children move into their starting positions for a floodlit performance of their Kaupapa Maori items.(15 minutes)
 * On the best night weather wise around the official Matariki or mid winter, pupils, families and community members meet at the four corners of the village at 7pm.
 * Begin the walk towards the school with lanterns, noise making equipment and repeating chant/song. (15 minutes)


 * At the conclusion children disappear to play with torches in the shadows of the trees and at the edge of the school playing area while parents chat over tea and cake.


 * As parents depart with their children and they collect lanterns to store at home.
 * School cleaned up and gear put away by 8.30.


 * Safety stuff - lanterns need prior check at school for candle wobble, loose paper and wired on stick strength.
 * Children encouraged to wear wool, cotton outer garments.
 * Children to carry lanterns at arms length in front of them and told about the stop drop and roll procedures.
 * If a lantern catches on fire place it on the ground, stand back and watch it burst into flames. At the completion of its combustion all nearby are to clap.
 * At completion of the pupil's performance adults to snuff out candles so children are not tempted to play with the lantern

Equipment - lanterns, parents plate of supper, tea/coffee etc, floodlight, safety extension cords, torches, matches, water bottles, musical equipment for performance and walk

We also combine our Matariki week with a beach clean-up. Collecting washed up junk found on our almost pristine beach that we put into plastic shopping bags and place in or besides the council rubbish bins.