Monday 22nd June 2026 | Vol 36 Issue 19 | Term 2 Week 10

THIS WEEK

The Magic Behind the Curtain

Lottie Butcher – Drama Teacher, Primary and High School

As a drama teacher at a Montessori school, it is a privilege to be in the midst of a production that so clearly reflects the philosophy we live by every day. Our Primary School production, The Dream Factory, brings together approximately 150 young performers in a vibrant Kiwi adventure inspired by six much-loved children’s stories. It is a celebration of imagination, storytelling, and community in its truest sense. Side Note: The show is Term 3, Week 3 - If like me you have a slightly chaotic parenting style and need this written down in your diary.

What has been especially powerful this year is not only what is happening on stage, but what is happening behind it.

The Drama Tāwari rangatahi have stepped into a leadership role as the backbone of our backstage team. They are working as stage managers, developing and running a tech team, and taking responsibility for lighting plans, sound cues, and the organisation of the performance space. They are painting and preparing set elements, designing posters and tickets. As well as creating props and shaping the visual world of the production with care and creativity. This mahi is not only meaningful in a performance context, but it also contributes directly to their NCEA Level 2 credits, giving academic recognition to authentic, purposeful work.

Alongside them, the Kawakawa Drama ākonga are contributing in equally significant ways through prop making and design. They are discovering that props need to be sturdy, fit for purpose, and created within budget, while also serving the story by helping the audience step into a believable world. In doing so, our ākonga are developing far more than creative skills, they are learning problem-solving, budgeting, collaboration, and perseverance as they bring ideas from imagination into reality. They’ve also mastered the delicate science of achieving the perfect PVA-to-newspaper ratio in papier-mâché, a life skill I’m sure we can all agree is absolutely essential.

There have been moments during these busy creative workshops where I find myself simply observing rather than teaching, lighting plans being written, props being constructed, set pieces being painted, and decisions being made around me and importantly without my intervention. In these moments, I am reminded of Maria Montessori’s words:

“The greatest sign of success for a teacher is to be able to say, ‘The children are now working as if I did not exist.’”

This is not absence; it is emergence. It is the point at which responsibility, trust, and capability take root in the rangatahi themselves. What they are contributing has value. It has real value. They are not rehearsing participation in a community; they are actively building one. For our younger performers, seeing the older ākonga invest their time and energy into the production reinforces the value of their own work.

For our adolescents as they move through the third plane of development and rapidly toward adult society, experiences like this matter deeply. They are not only learning how to be individuals with skills and interests; they are learning how to be members of a community who can take responsibility, collaborate, and contribute meaningfully to something larger than themselves. There is beautiful optimism in this, an understanding that their place in the world is not passive, but active and influential.

This is where the magic of a Montessori learning community becomes visible. In the making, the doing, and the trusting of our ākonga as they step into genuine responsibility. And in doing so, they reveal exactly what education at its best can be: not preparation for life, but life itself.

E WHAI AKE (Coming up) . . .

WEEK 10

Tuesday 23rd June Drama Club (9-12 and High School ākonga), 3:15pm - 4:15pm, T2

Wednesday 24th June Primary Kapa Haka, 3pm - 4pm, Kauri Classroom

Wednesday 24th June Wā Ora Council AGM, 7pm - 8:30pm, Tōtara

Friday 26th June Technology - Year 7's, 8:45am - 12:15pm, Avalon Intermediate

Saturday 27th June Matariki Day Activities, 2:30pm - 4:30pm, Preschool and Primary akomanga

Saturday 27th June Matariki Whānau Hāngī, 5pm - 7pm, T2 at the High School

WEEK 11

Tuesday 30th June Drama Club (9-12 and High School ākonga), 3:15pm - 4:15pm, T2

Wednesday 1st July Primary Kapa Haka, 3pm - 4pm, Kauri Classroom

Thursday 2nd July Kawakawa Coffee House - Ancient Histories Festival, 5:30pm - 8:45pm

Thursday 2nd July PTA Meeting, 7:30pm - 8:30pm, Zoom

Friday 3rd July Technology - Year 7's, 8:45am - 12:15pm, Avalon Intermediate

Friday 3rd July LAST DAY TERM 2

GENERAL

HuttFest 2026

Come and support our Wā Ora Kapa Haka rōpū at HuttFest!

Our talented performers will be taking the stage during the week of 22nd–26th June at Walter Nash Stadium:

Wā Ora Preschool Kapa Haka rōpū – morning of Monday 22nd June
Wā Ora Primary Kapa Haka rōpū – afternoon of Thursday 25th June
Wā Ora High School (Kawakawa) Kapa Haka rōpū – evening of Thursday 25th June

This year marks a special milestone, as Kawakawa in the High School is participating in HuttFest for the very first time. Our small but dedicated group has been working incredibly hard with Sianne to prepare for the big stage and will be performing during the 6pm – 9pm College show on Thursday 25th June.

We would love to see members of our Wā Ora community there to support our tamariki and rangatahi as they showcase their hard work and passion for kapa haka.

Tickets for the primary and college performances are still available and can be purchased here.

For more information, check out HuttFest 2026 on Facebook.

MATARIKI CELEBRATIONS

Matariki Daytime Activities - Saturday 27th June

We warmly invite our school community to join us for our annual Matariki celebration on Saturday 27th June, from 2.30pm to 4.30pm.

This year's theme, Matariki Herenga Waka, celebrates the connections that bring us together as a community. Wander through our Playgroup, Preschool, and Primary spaces as each akomanga shares learning, creativity, and experiences inspired by their chosen whetū.

Following the event, whānau are invited to continue the celebrations at the High School with a delicious hāngī.

Bring your whānau and friends and join us for an afternoon of connection, discovery, learning, and celebration.

Rā: Saturday 27th June
Wā: 2.30pm – 4.30pm

Kia kite koe i reira. We look forward to celebrating with you!

Matariki Evening Hāngi - Saturday 27th June

Final day to place your oder!

Following the daytime activities above, whānau are invited to join us for a Wā Ora community hāngi.

From 5pm we’ll head to T2 at the High School for a short welcome, followed by the hāngī.

You're welcome to bring your own kai if not ordering hāngī, but please RSVP using the link so we can plan seating. We ask that everyone wait until after karakia to eat.

Numbers for the hāngī and seating are limited - first in, first served.

The hāngī will be cooked in steamer baskets and served in T2.

Tamariki meals: $9 - one piece of chicken. (GF - available = no stuffing)
Adult meals: $15 - chicken and pork, or 2x chicken (GF - available = no stuffing)
Vegetarian/Vegan adult/tamariki - $9 - includes stuffing and pudding
All meals include stuffing, seasonal veges and pudding
Vegetarian/vegan adult/tamariki - $6 - veggies only
Older tamariki wanting more meat should order an adult meal.
All food will be cooked in one steamer (meat in the bottom basket), dietary needs (e.g. vegan, coeliac) will be cooked in a separate steamer if requested.
Please bring your own cups (water bottles) plates and cutlery for the main and dessert.

Please RSVP and place your orders via this form by the end of today as orders will close promptly on Tuesday morning.

Once you’ve ordered, please pay promptly, either by Eftpos in the office, or online to:
12 3209 0438285 00 (use your name + “Hāngī” as the reference.

If you have questions or trouble with the form, please get in touch with the office.

Mānawatia a Matariki mā Puanga ki a koutou – we look forward to seeing you there!

Save the Date - The Dream Factory

Entertainment Membership - Family Fun, Big Savings & Exciting Prize Draws This June

With the school holidays just around the corner, now is the perfect time for families to start planning fun days out, family meals, local adventures, and future getaways together.

Throughout June, every Entertainment Membership purchased not only unlocks incredible savings on dining, attractions, travel and experiences, but also gives supporters the chance to win a $5,000 Entertainment Travel Voucher. Plus, every Membership purchased this year goes into the draw to win an unforgettable expedition to Antarctica.

We are also thrilled to announce that from Friday 26th June - Wednesday 1st July, we will be running a Buy One Membership, Get One Free promotion, giving supporters even more value!

For just $75, an Entertainment Membership helps families make the most of the school holidays and beyond, with thousands of offers available across Australia, New Zealand and Bali, while turning everyday spending into valuable fundraising support for your cause.

Support Wā Ora and buy your membership here.