ATAMIRA: Kori Purakau Workshop

A couple of  weeks ago we went to the Due Drop Event Centre to learn how to tell stories through dance and movement. When we first arrived, the instructors took us outside to look at the Te Pou Kapua. They told us the story behind the people carved into the pou, which was really interesting. After that we went back inside and started with a short warm up where each instructor showed us a few dance movements. Even though it was only a warm up, I was surprisingly really tired afterwards!

We had a little break before three of the instructors, Maddie, Josie and Andre performed a dance for us. Their dance told the story of a blind lady named Matakerepo and the legend of Tāwhaki. It was really cool watching how they could tell such a powerful story just through their movements.After that we were split into three groups with one of the instructors and were able to create our own dances that would also tell a story! We got to add some of our own movements which made it way more funny. At the end we watched the rest of the group’s dances before saying thank you to the instructors that made this experience fun for us!

In the end I’m really grateful our school got this opportunity because it was an extremely fun experience and it was cool learning how dancing can actually tell a story.

 

John, My son

The bitter smell of beer stuffs my nose as my son tries to sleep. I wish I could do better for him. I listened to the sound of kids mocking his dirty clothes and his raggedy hair. I can’t help but feel that he’s better off without me, that I should’ve listened to that social worker who offered him a place in a children’s home, where he would be able to grow up with people who can offer him everything he would need. The candle goes out and I reach into my pocket to find a lighter but discover nothing. I can’t even afford to keep a candle burning.

St Francis of Assisi

St Francis of Assisi was an Italian mystic, poet and Catholic Friar who founded the religious order of Franciscans. Before becoming a saint he used to be in the military fighting for his hometown, like a knight. He decided to give up his wealthy life to live simply. Throughout his life he preached the gospel and showed compassion for the poor and sick. He believed that every living thing was a gift from God and to treat it kindly. He taught us to be kind when life is difficult and listen with your heart. He chose to live and preach, peace not war.    

Writing On The Wall

Daniel explains the writing on the wall to King Belshazzar. If Daniel was to describe my “ writing on the wall, “ I hope it would be that I always forgive others even if they have done something wrong to me. That I have self control, being able to stop myself and think before I do something that could be a bad decision. Finally that I am empathetic, able to understand others feelings providing comfort and support to them.

Tivaevae

For reading this week I created a Tivaevae on google draw. A Tivaevae is a traditional cook island patchwork quilt sewn communally. They are usually used for decorations and a valuable gift for significant life events like weddings, funerals and haircutting ceremonies.

Sophie

I was in the middle of playing the piano, the sound of “hey now” by Dave Dobbyn playing in the background. I could hear my dad singing along like his life depended on it. Suddenly the room went dark and the house went quiet before a loud crash. The cover of the piano keys had fallen on my left hand, just as quickly the rest of the roof fell apart. A brick from the ceiling fell down landing on the cover of the piano keys trapping my left hand even more than before. Blood started pouring out, running down the leg of the piano. My hand was on fire, it felt like it was burning. The walls started collapsing, making me stuck in place. The smell of smoke filled the room, finding its way to my nose, making me unable to breathe. With the last of my voice I start screaming for my dad. Suddenly I see a man standing in the doorway, a man that looks much like my dad, he’s holding my baby sister in his arms. I start reaching out but it’s too hard, I’m stuck. Within a blink of an eye I see a large brick from the ceiling collapse on top of my dad and sister. Is this really the end?