Tatau Research

 Recently in extension, we have been learning and researching about tattoo symbols and what they mean. We also got to look at the traditional Samoan tattoo - “Tatau or Pe’a”.

 Just last week we were lucky enough to have Mr Tele’a come in to talk to us about his own tatau/pe’a. He gave us a very specific understanding about it. He also explained what his tatau meant. I remember him telling us that if you were to put a tatau onto a big piece of paper and unravel it, it would end up looking like a flying fox/ bat hence the name “Pe’a”.   

 Before Mr Tele’a came in, we were learning about the different parts of a pe’a. We learnt about the following -

* Faavaetuli - (the tuli's footprint) - the tuli was the bird of the supreme Atua, Tagaloalagi.

* Faaatualoa - (centipede) - believed to be one of a god of the past.

* Faalaupaogo - (panadus leaf) - one of the important plant to the Samoans.

* Faapepe - (butterfly) - one of a useful insect to the Samoans.

* Faagogo - (tern) - another important bird to the Samoans

* Faaupega - (net) - very useful for fishing - for Samoans everyday need.

* Faaanufe - (caterpillar) - a symbol of a new life to a Samoan man.

* Faasigano (male pandanus flower) worn by the Samoan young men for their pride to be real Samoans

* Faamulialiao (shellfish) - one of the most important shellfish to the Samoans

 



Every part of the tatau is significant and has meaning, but two parts that Mr Tele’a explained as very important to him were his belly button and the va’a (also known as the canoe).The canoe is a 20-30 cm wide black strip that goes across the back with arrow points at both ends, going towards the front under arms. This represents the family of the tatau wearer must protect. And the belly button is significant to him because it was the last part that was done.

 Now, we have to design our very own tattoo’s that are made out of two design. One has to represent our family and culture and the other has to represent ourselves. Right now, I am still working on deciding on my final design. I am looking forward to learning more about the Samoan Tatau.

Storylines Tours

This Thursday, the year 5, 6, 7, 8 extension groups will be going to the Vodafone Events Centre in Manukau for the Storyline Tour. We will be watching 4 New Zealand authors such as Jill MacGregor, Paula Green, Juliette Maciver and  Cath Mayo.

For those who don't know much about Paula Green, she is a New Zealand author who writes poems and children's books. Most of her books include animals, the weather and season. At the moment, she is based west Auckland.

Catherine Mayo, also known as Cath Mayo is a children's and young adult author. Her latest book is The Bow Win or lose?. If I were to describe Catherine in 2 words I would say 'Musical' and 'Outdoorsy'. Mayo is in a band called Gentle Annie.

Jill MacGregor is a Pacific Children book writer that many New Zealand School teacher should have heard of. Most of the pictures in her books capture children using environmental resources to maintain the tradition's of that particular country.

Last but not least is Juliette Maciver, another very talented New Zealand writer. Juliette is a children's book writer and has been writing stories ever since she was young. She has written books such as 'Toucan Can', 'Queen Alice's Palaces' and 'Little Witch'.

I am looking forward to listening to all of these writers. Hopefully I will learn something to use for my future stories.

Astria Countdown to Impact - Take 2

This afternoon, Jorja and I played again this afternoon and we were able to complete our mission and save the Earth. 

I thought because we've already played it that it will be easier but I was wrong. This time I found figuring out what the clues meant was very, very hard. From this game I have learnt a lot of very big words that I didn't know. I really enjoyed it and I am hoping to play it more in the future.

HALLOWEEN ?

These are things that I normally see on Halloween day while eating the lollies inside.

CANDY

COSTUMES
SPOOKY STUFF
“TRICK or TREAT”
CREEPY CHARACTERS
GIVING OUT CANDY
CRAZY CHILDREN RUNNING AROUND TRYING TO SCARE PEOPLE AND GET LOLLIES

WHAT I THINK HALLOWEEN IS ALL ABOUT...

HALLOWEEN :

I think halloween is about eating lollies all days and having heaps of fun with friends, knocking on all the doors in the neighbourhood and shouting “TRICK or TREAT, smell my feet, gimme something sweet to eat” at whoever opens the doors. I have never gone trick or treating but from the stories people tell me, it sounds very fun. And people tell me that it's about celebrating a devil's birthday.

WHAT I FOUND OUT FROM WATCHING A MOVIE:

Samhain

It says in the Celtic calendar that the year gets split into two, the light and dark half. Samhain ( sel-win ) was the beginning of the dark half.  

Lemuria day

On the 13th of may, it was Lemuria day, where roman people poured milk on graves or left soul cake on it to stop the dead from rising from the ground. Christian pastors told their churches to pray for those who are not in heaven and not in hell but in between in Purgatory. Purgatory is not as bad as hell, but it still might be as fiery. Christians said if enough prayer were prayed, they would rise and be sent to heaven.

Jack O lanterns

Jack O lanterns were originated from a man named Jack O Lantern. He was so bad that Saturn didn't even want him in hell. When Saturn kicked Jack out of Hell he flicked him a little ball of fire where Jack put in a turnip. People then decided to carve pumpkin's and put candle inside them, many years later. Many people said that Saturn came to visit Jack but Jack played a trick on him and hooked him on the wall. "I will let you go if you promise let me live and rome around for as long as I like," is what Jack said. Saturn had no other choice but to agree, so thats why people say "Stay away from flickering lights" because they think it is Jack O lantern.

Gavin Bishop Information

Gavin bishop, an author and illustrator of children's books, he did not always work as that, he was once an art teacher at a secondary level for thirty years. For twenty of those thirty years he spent at Linwood High School and for the last ten years, he spent at Christ’s College.

Gavin was born in Invercargill, New zealand. His farther's family were from Dunedin and his mother's family was mainly from the North Island. Gavin's tribal connections are Ngati Mahuta and Ngati Pukeko, Ngati Awa.

As a young boy, Gavin started school at the age of four and a half at Kingston School. At his school there were only 11 pupils in his class. Some days, he was able to ride to school on a huge horse with two other kids. They got on by jumping on the school gate. Gavin also had two pets., a dog named smudge and a cat called Calla Callutsa, which go tgiven to them by thier Greek neighbours.

I am looking forward to this Thursday, because the year 7 & 8 extension group will be meeting Gavin Bishop and three other author's.

COURTESY OF www.waikato.ac.nz

SER Research

Lately, in year 7 & 8 extension, we have been learning and researching about SER (Self Explaining Road) streets or roads. These are streets that have little islands in the middle of the road. If you press on this LINK, it will take you to a form. Please fill it out and submit to help us with our research.