We had a welcome for the new students and teachers at the girls’ school today. Like the Marae, it began with us outside the school being called into the school by a group of students. A representative of our group then responded in song and we went inside. We were greeted by students singing. It was impressive that kids followed Maori protocol for this kind of ceremony so fluidly.
The school Principal then addressed us in Maori. Though I obviously don’t understand Maori, it seemed very heartfelt and articulate, not merely something learned by rote. The Principal then repeated his speech in English. He spoke of how important beginnings are, and how important education within a loving community is. He spoke of his ancestors and where he grew up here in NZ. He spoke of the wisdom of Maori customs and how they know how special times for new beginnings are, and to mark them in this beautiful way.
Our representative responded, again in Maori first followed by English, and said how grateful he was to be welcomed and how important it is to entrust our precious children to those within the school community. The group of newbies (us) then sang a “waiata” in Maori. All of the new people to the school, including students, parents, grandparents and teachers then got in a line and were welcomed with a handshake that was also nose to nose (“the hongi”) which is symbolic of sharing the breath of life. I was truly touched and moved, and grateful to be a part of this group.
Wow--what an intriguing ceremony for an opening day at school! Is Island Bay School what we would call in the U.S. a "private" or "independent" school, as opposed to a "public" one? Here at Friends University we have a kind of welcoming ceremony for the freshman class at the beginning of the school year, but then Friends is both 1) a university, and 2) a private Christian school. I guess I'm just wondering if what you're describing here would likely be common all throughout New Zealand, and not just at this particular school you've chosen (and did you, in fact, have a choice about schooling?).
ReplyDeleteIt was an amazing experience. It was one of the most moving "secular" events of my life. My sense is that for the Maori, they don't separate the secular from the spiritual.
DeleteThis is a public school, the one we are zoned for. It would seem we just got lucky, because I asked if all schools do this and I was told no. This school is special.
Interestingly, we had a "tea" afterwards and one of the grandfathers in attendance said that he had been the NZ minister of education 25 years ago when the school systems had undergone some significant changes to allow, even encourage, the reintroduction of Maori language and culture back into the schools. In the early to late 1900's kids could be punished for speaking Maori in the schools. He was pleased to see how things have changed and developed.