Honoured Guests
The bus picked us all up with the billets at 8.30 this morning. It was warm again but has drizzled all day with high humidity.
We had a very welcoming reception at Hotel de Ville ( the name of the Council Chambers) and it is obvious every year how supportive they are of our cultural exchange. Speeches were given from both sides and our kids all stood up with Bill to sing his Ngati Porou iwi waiata, Paku Manawa. It sounded great and they were very grateful - also of Bill's efforts at speaking french!
After watching an interesting Powerpoint on New Caledonia, we were shown through to another room where we performed our waiata and haka and then had very popular pastries and drinks to celebrate.
In one of the hallways is a beautiful Korowai in a glass case that was given to the Council from Taupo when our sister city agreement was first signed.
The ceremony for this was held at the yacht club in Taupo when we officially signed our Memorandum of understanding with Jean Mariotti College also. A haka, or challenge, was issued by Taupo Intermediate School on behalf of the people of Taupo. There were many dignitaries from New Caledonia present as well as the National French Advisor for NZ schools, the french Ambassador to NZ and the head of Education in New Caledonia. The significance of a korowai is the care and protection it offers to the wearer. The cloak signifies an ability for citizens of both cities to connect with one another highlighting the cultural exchanges and economic opportunities that exist. Korowai are generally reserved for leaders and as such are treasured. It is always very cool to see it displayed at Hotel de Ville and know that we were part of imparting this gift to the city of Noumea.
After our food the bus collected us and took us to Porte des Fer College and what a culture shock this was for our kids! This school is at the absolute opposite end of the socio-economic scale compared to Jean Mariotti.
Here we are arriving.......
As someone commented, "this really feels like a prison!"
They were lovely kids and warmly welcomed us. Some of them apparently just love learning English and are so good at it. One Indian girl spoke 6 languages! This blew our kids away. They certainly have to deal with some problem kids there though and police are regularly called to the school.
I do think that we are going to have some more appreciative kids when they return to NZ, not just of their families but for our country and especially our school.
Jasmine had had a good day yesterday for her birthday with her family. We all sang happy birthday to her in french and I'd bought a selection of french lollies to have on our way home from College Portes de Fer. I hope you've coped with the frosts back home! That cold weather is feeling miles Au revoir!away from here.
It hasn't stopped raining yet but I hope it does for tomorrow.
Au revoir!
Honoured guests indeed, both at the council reception and at Porte des Fer College. The kids look as if they are representing Taupo and Taupo Intermediate with pride - well done to all (including Bill for his speech!).
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