Otonga Road School Gets a Dual Name

On Friday we had a special assembly, a Pōhiri (welcoming ceremony) in which Kaumātua Dr Keneti Kennedy. It started with the school Haka Pōhiri (welcoming haka), which was followed by Tearynce's whaikōrero (formal speech). Then the students of the school performed a waiata tautoko (supporting song) to complete the whaikōrero aspect on our side. 

Kaumātua, Koro Keneti Kennedy, responded with a whaikōrero (formal speech) and a waiata tautoko (supporting song) named 'Kāore Te Aroha'.  

Mrs Woon closed the Pōhiri by being the final speaker. She then presented Koro Keneti with a koha (gift) from our school in recognition of his research and guidance. 

Koro Keneti Kennedy shared with us the Māori history of the land our school occupies. From this, we learnt that a more accurate name for our school is 'Te Kura o Tihiotonga". To recognise the people who have lived here before us Otonga Raod School has accepted a dual name:  Otonga Road School - Te Kura o Tihiotonga.  

You can read kaumatua Ken's letter on our school website here.

Room 12 is especially proud of Tearynce lead our school in this event.