Quick Notes!

After my first few days in New Zealand, I am beginning to pick up on some of the unique characteristics of the Maori way of living/language. To highlight some of these, I have compiled a list below. This will continue to be modified as I learn more and more!

English Language	Maori Language/New Zealand English
Welcome/Hi/Hello	Kia Ora
Thank you/Bye	Cheers
Excuse Me/What?	Pardon
Fries	Chips
Chips	Crisps
Shopping Cart	Trolly
Bathroom	Toilet
Ketchup	Tomato Sauce
Line	Que
Little	Wee
A lot	Heaping
Friend	Mate
Ye Tu (Spelling off)	Stand up
Biscuits	Cookies
Hard Candy	Lollies
Trunk of Car	Boot
Criss-Cross Applesauce	Criss-Cross Candy Floss
Trash	Rubbish
Mathematics	Maths

School Day: (Anytime students or staff are outside, they have to wear a hat because the sun is so strong!

The school day starts at 9:00 A.M., but students gather on the playground at 8:30 A.M. to play before the morning bell sounds. When the bell sounds, students immediately return to their classrooms where their teachers meet them.

o   The teacher’s lounge opens to the playground, so the staff enjoy morning tea/talk while the students are playing.

·      The students partake in math instruction for the first hour of the day, and then they go back to the playground for a “brain food” break. On these breaks, the teacher instructs the students in a physical education activity while they eat a healthy snack. If the food is not deemed healthy, the teacher won’t let the student eat it.

·      Students then go back in the classroom from another hour or so of instruction, usually in some form of literacy. The teacher’s instruct in both English and Maori.

·      Students then head to lunch and recess (the whole school goes at the same time) and they eat outside on the concrete under shade trees.

·      The students come back for more instruction and then head home for the day around 2:55 P.M.

      The school day seems extremely lax. All of the teachers appear to have a strong relationship with the students, and they are clear of their expectations. I will try getting pictures of the school the next time I am there to show you the set up, but it reminds me of an open campus with a courtyard in the middle and classrooms surrounding.