So proud

Today was a pretty exciting day! Bianca received a certificate at the whole-school assembly. Parents are able to attend assembly and so it was so cool to see Bianca get up and get her certificate. Every week they choose a child from each class to award each of them a certificate for something they really made progress in, extra effort or whatever. It is pretty cool the way they motivate the kids. And today was Bianca's turn.

I really enjoy going to assembly each week because at Oteha Valley School, they get the kids to lead assembly. So every week a class will put together a programme and proudly share the work they've been doing, their reading ability and they will basically open the assembly, invite the principal and teachers to make announcements and at the end they will thank everybody for coming.

Things are so different and our assemblies never went like that when I was going to school.

This morning at assembly the kids sang a really nice song. I'm not familiar with it and I've been looking to find if I could actually find the music clip of it, but no such luck. I have managed to find the words:

Ma te mahi ka ora
(John Phillips 2000, Kiwi Kidsongs 11)

Rise and shine - it's a brand new day.
Ma te mahi ka ora.
We've set our goals, and we're on our way.
Ma te mahi ka ora.
Step by step, mile by mile.
For dreams to come true, it's up to you -
Let's start right here and now.

Chorus x 2
Ma te mahi ka ora.
Remember this when you wake each day.
Ma te mahi ka ora.
Cos that's the Kiwi way.

When you're down and you've lost your way.
Ma te mahi ka ora.
We'll help you on your way again.
Ma te mahi ka ora.
Step by step, mile by mile.

For dreams to come true, it's up to you -
Let's start right here and now.

Chorus x 2

Step by step, mile by mile.
For dreams to come true, it's up to you -
Let's start right here and now.

Chorus x 2

Ma te mahi ka ora.
Cos that's the Kiwi way.

I also really like the National Anthem although have to admit that I'm still working on learning the words and Terence thinks it is hilarious that Bianca knows it way better than I do.