Te Whiti Biography

Te Whiti Biography

Te Whiti-o-Rongomai was born in 1830 in Nga Motu, Taranaki around the time of the Musket Wars. He was the son of a minor chief, Tohukakahi, of the Te Ati Awa tribe. His mother was called Rangiawau, the daughter of a major chief, Te Whetu. He lived peacefully on a coast near Parihaka and attended Reimenschnieder Mission School, excelling in Bible Studies. Also, he was identified as a possible teacher or prophet from an early age. After leaving school he set up a flourmill at Warea. At that point in time there were many battles between Maori and Pakeha - it is said that Te Whiti fought in none of them.

By 1870 Parihaka had evolved into the largest villiage in the country. In 1879 the European troops invaded the land, and in 1881 began taking land from the Maori and treating them unfairly. The people were unhappy about this, and thus started up the Parihaka Movement.     The leaders of this movement were Te Whiti and Tohu, his good friend. They both shared the same beliefs- they were both spiritual men who preached Christian teachings. they were also committed to non-violence and peace. They led a passive protest against the Europeans. The people challenged the Europeans because their land had been taken unfairly. This only resulted in the Europeans treating them worse. Te Whiti encouraged the people to continue ploughing the fields of the land that was stolen. Te Whiti did not allow the use of arms, so when the settlers arrested the men and treated them horribly, they did not put up a fight. Hundreds of men were forced to go to prisons in the South Island, Te Whiti among them. While in prison Te Whiti learnt how to use European technology, and became perhaps the first person in the country to speak on a telephone. He also played mind games on the guards, making them doubt their own sanity. While incarcerated, Te Whiti received news that the Europeans had completely demolished Parihaka, taking two months to utterly destroy the land and crops, burn houses, and rape women and girls. He was also dealt a huge blow by the news that his wife had died and he was not allowed to return for her funeral.

Shortly after his wife died, Te Whiti was released. He returned to Parihaka with Tohu. Many men, women, and children had died during that time of poverty. He was greeted with a hero’s welcome. Soon the Europeans began modernizing the villiage, adding streets, shops, and elaborate houses. Parihaka had become ahead of its time.

Te Whiti and Tohu died within a month of each other, and their followers adopted the white albatross feather as a symbol of the mana of the Parihaka settlement. Even today, it continues to be worn by the members of the Te Ati Awa tribe in remembrance of Te Whiti.

Te Whiti, I believe, was the most inspirational leader in New Zealand’s history. Keeping peace with the world was his main priority, and I think this was why people admired him so much. He made an enormous difference in the course of history. He will not be forgotten.

By Margarita.

Term 1 Goals

Goal Setting

Literacy: To enter challenging competitions in a variety of genres.

Maths: To think carefully what is the best way to solve a problem before working it out by the end of the term.

General: To be able to do public speaking without getting stage fright!!

Cecilia Russell Art

In Term 1 for art we used Cecilia Russell's art as an inspiration. Her artwork uses letters and words to describe the surroundings. I really enjoyed doing this artwork because it is imaginative, creative and looks really cool! I think I did well in the way my colours were bold, but maybe next time I could make the reflections more accurate!!!

Margarita

Letter to the Board

Room 22

Muritai Road

Eastbourne

Dear Board of Trustees and Mr.Bird,

As a member of Room 22, I have noticed that the desks are in a very poor state. I am writing to request new desks for Room 22. These are my reasons.

Firstly, the current use of tote trays and tables is inconvenient and extremely inefficient. For example, each time I gather equipment from my tote tray, there is a crowd gathered there, distracting other pupils in the class. Having our own desks would prevent this, therefore extending concentration, as well as speeding up the process of acquiring stationary. It would make it much easier and a lot less time consuming if we had desks.

Secondly, the state of our desks at present is unacceptable. They are damaged, graffitied, scratched and carved into. As we all know, appearance is important, so new desks would smarten our classroom and give a good impression for parents and teachers. New and matching desks would give a feeling of comfort and tidiness.

Lastly, I believe that as Year 7 and 8’s, we deserve new desks. After all, the Years 3 to 6 in the main school have good quality, matching desks, so why shouldn’t we, as leaders of the school? If we do obtain new desks, we will respect and take care of them.

We would be truly grateful if we were given new desks for the remainder of the year.

Please make it happen for us.

Yours Sincerely, 

Margarita Montes de Oca 

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in Salzburg, Austria on the 27th of January, 1756. His mother, Maria Anna Mozart, died of illness shortly after giving birth to Mozart. Out of seven children, only Mozart and his older sister Anna Maria, known as Nannerl, survived through infancy. Both children were exceptionally talented at composition and playing. However, although equally as talented as Mozart, Nannerl was restricted slightly, due to the fact that she was a girl, so Mozart was the one who would later influence the music of the Classical Era so greatly.

Mozart composed his very first piece, later known as ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star’ aged four, before he even learned to read. He was home-schooled by his father. Leopold, who was a music teacher and art-time composer,was devoted towards teaching his children music. He made lessons fun, yet also he insisted on perfection and a strong work ethic. He was very encouraging- this, I believe, helped Mozart become what he was. Nannerl once wrote, ‘Wolfgang once picked up a violin, never before using it, and then sight read perfectly a piece written for the violin.‘ He published his first composition at age eight. Nannerl, meanwhile, was talented at harpsichord and pianoforte. Although Leopold hardly ever complimented her, Wolfgang looked up to her as an idol, and wrote letters praising her work. Leopold recognized the extraordinary talents of his children. From 1762 through to 1773, Wolfgang, Nannerl and Leopold went on a tour of Europe, Wolfgang and Nannerl starring as child prodigies. They visited places such as the Imperial Court in Vienna, Buckingham Palace, Prague, and Paris, were they met and played for Marie Antoinette.

As Mozart went into teenage years, he travelled and performed more and more.In London he met Johann Sebastian Bach who became an important influence. He visited him in London in 1764 and 1765. Soon Leopold fell ill and spent months in recovery. At this time Wolfgang,along with Nannerl, wrote his 1st Symphony. In 1767 he composed his first opera and at the age of fourteen conducted it himself. In 1769 he was appointed the assistant conductor for the orchestra at the court in Salzburg by the Archbishop, and he held this position for ten years. He wrote many more operas and aroused the jealousy of Antonio Salieri.

In adulthood he settled down with Constanze Weber. They had two sons, Karl and Franz Mozart. In this time he wrote a lot more sonatas, operas and piano pieces. He became very closely acquainted with JS Bach and also Joseph Haydn and appeared often in concerts, sometimes as a soloist, sometimes performing an opera with Constanze singing.

Mozart fell ill while in Prague- he soon became bedridden. He once said to Constanze: “I feel definitely that I will not last much longer; I have been poisoned, and cannot rid myself of this idea.” He died on the 5th of December 1791. Some say he was poisoned by his rival Salieri. However most people now say he died of natural causes. During Mozart’s short lifetime of thirty-five years he wrote 626 pieces of music. In 1862 one of Mozart’s students made a list of Mozart’s works: 18 operas, 50 symphonies and 30 piano concertos.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was most definitely one of the most influential composers of the Classical Era. His pieces have been played and played again and he is widely known as one of the most talented men in history. Personally I have played quite a few of his sonatas and piano concertos and they are my favourite pieces. Mozart is a hero to me because he was talented, yet documents have been found describing him as modest and fun-loving.

By Margarita