BOARD UPDATE – KAPA HAKA
We have had a few queries
lately about where we are up to with Kapa Haka this year and we thought it
would be useful to run a brief update and to share what our vision is for 2016.
As some families will
remember in 2013 and 2014 Kapa Haka was run outside of school hours and paid
for by those attending (and topped up by the school.)
In 2014 major
fundraising was undertaken to raise money for uniforms. This was successful
thanks to a great bunch of hard working volunteers. $4,183.44 was raised
altogether. This money was used to pay for uniforms, end of year
function, travel & koha to Mangakahia Festival.
In 2015 the decision
was made by the Board to fully fund Kapa Haka so that the whole school could
benefit and those children unable to attend after school could take part. It also gave Matua Shane a more permanent
place in our school and ensure he was receiving a consistent payment from week
to week as he had set himself up as a business. From remaining funds of
$1,375.76, $1,000.00 was carried over to pay for an extra hour of tutor time
for the Kapa Haka group. Alongside this the school set aside $4,124.00 of
operational funding to pay for school wide Kapa Haka. The remainder of
fundraising money was set aside for travel and festival costs. As this was not used in 2015, it has been
carried over to 2016 to go towards any costs related to the Kapa Haka group.
Whilst the Kapa Haka
group continued to run in 2015, the option of lunchtime was not a terribly
popular one for the children and numbers especially of senior children dwindled
and were not consistent from week to week. Unfortunately Ben Douglas who
was responsible for Kapa Haka also left mid 2015. Because of these issues the staff have
shuffled times around this year so that the Kapa Haka group will practice every
Tuesday in the middle block between morning tea and lunchtime. So far
they have had one practice and there are 49 children who have put their name
down to be part of this group. Children will have three sessions to
decide if they want to commit to Kapa Haka for the year, and then will be
expected to stay in this group.
Class sessions will
focus largely on learning basic Maori language through song and dance.
The Board will
completely fund Kapa Haka in 2016, and are very proud to do so. Tuesday
sessions cost $207.00. This is a
significant financial investment, however in the opinion of staff and board it
is a very important one.
What we would like to
see happen in 2016:
1
Our
group be polished enough to attend a festival, or perhaps organise our own with
a couple of local schools.
2
Uniforms
be sorted for each child in the group so these can be easily used.
3
Be
able to give our group regular opportunities to perform and perhaps for a
community volunteer to work alongside Shane so that they can lead the group
when he is not available.
If you are interested
in helping with any of these things please come in and see Yvette Johnston.
If you know of someone who may be able to take a leading role in this
group when Matua Shane is not available please let Yvette Johnston know.
If you have any other
ideas or questions about Kapa Haka please come in and see Yvette or Leslee, or
email Shane Burns (BOT Chairperson) on kauribot1@gmail.com
We look forward to
providing a positive year of Kapa Haka in 2016.
Kaurihohore Board of
Trustees
