Counting Down to Christmas!

Hi everyone,

Sorry (again) about the long wait for more news from me. I have been SO busy with lots of end of year things and just had no time to sit down and share my news.

Hope everyone is well and looking forward to Christmas. It is very strange having Christmas on the way when it keeps getting warmer but sadly it's non-stop rain at the moment which is no fun!

Over the last couple of months, I've done some fun things like going up to Keri Keri to stay in a bach by the beach for a weekend. We went up because some friends of Jennie were running the Keri Keri half marathon so we went to support. Fortunately the weather was gorgeous and we got to enjoy the sunshine although the sea was a bit cold for a dip (for most of us anyway!)

I also went to Waitangi which is a very significant place in New Zealand history and we saw a Maori cultural performance which is always fantastic. We also took a very very long drive up to Cape Reinga which is the very northern tip of New Zealand. It was rather windy but a very interesting and spiritual place to be. Maori people believe it is the place where the dead move down into the underworld and there is a flat rock with a single tree on it where they believe there are steps leading the dead down. It is also the point where the Tasman Sea meets the Pacific Ocean and you can sea a line of bright blue water and crashing waves where this happens.

Coming up at school is our Fiafia Day tomorrow which is a cultural celebration where all of the senior children (Years 5 and 6) perform to the whole school and our community. I have been working with the Tongan group and have learnt so much about their culture and traditions. I can't wait to see and hear all of the singing and dancing tomorrow as the Maori, Samoan, Nuiean and Cook Island groups all perform (weather permitting!)

I will write again soon, hopefully with some photos and video clips! xxx