Today we farewelled Rob Clarke and delivered him to his new school, where he has taken over as principal. It was a daunting, but very rewarding day for me personally, as I took on the role of speaker for the visitors, during the Powhiri. Speaking in Te Reo Maori for the first time was certainly a challenge and hopefully I didn't offend anyone with my pronunciation.
The Powhiri is an impressive tradition to be part of and it is a great way to bring to school communities together and formally hand over a staff member. It was a pleasure to be able to take some 30 children from our school down to Burnham and for them to be part of the experience. Burnham is a lucky school to have Rob as their new principal and we all wish him the very best of luck in his new role.
My part from the Powhiri:
Ko te mihi tuatahi ki te atua, tena koe.
E te whare e tu nei, te papa ki waho ra tena korua.
Ki nga mate kua hinga i te po moe mai i roto i te ringa o te atua.
Tatau te hunga ora e huihui mai nei, tena koutou, tena koutou
tena koutou katoa.
Tena koutou e te iwi kainga mo te reo powhiri ki a matau.
He honore tenei kua tae mai matau ki waenganui i a koutou.
E nga mana, e nga reo, rau rangatira ma, tena koutou, tena
koutou, tena koutou katoa.
Tena Koe Paul.
ReplyDeleteYour committment to te reo Maori and tikanga is insipiring and exciting. We were proud to stand behind you today as our leader.
Ma te huruhuru, ka rere te manu
Adorn the bird with feathers so it can fly.