Mairtown Kindergarten: Mairtown's 60th Birthday Celebration

There was much excitement when the start of term four began on the 10^th of October, and so there should be as the tamariki were on the countdown to something worth celebrating. Something exceptional was happening on the 26^th October and every day at whanau time the tamariki and kaiako would count the days until that very special Wednesday.

It was Mairtown Kindergarten’s 60^th Birthday!!! Mairtown was the first kindergarten to be established in Whangarei in October 1956 and over the past 60 years has played an integral role in many children’s lives. We now have 3^rd generation family members returning to be a part of our kindergarten community. Te Whaariki recognises that ‘The wider world of family and community is an integral part of the early childhood curriculum. Children’s learning and development are fostered if the well-being of their community is supported; if their family, culture, knowledge and community are respected; and if there is a strong connection and consistency among all the aspects of the child’s world’. The lead up to the big day was so much fun as the tamariki planned the event from what to wear, what to play and even worked together to make the incredible party decorations.

It was decided that on the day you could dress up as anything your heart desired. We had spidermen, Elsa princesses, pirates, construction workers and even ballerinas. We also decided to play party games such as the much loved favourite pass the parcel, musical statues and 'Simon Said' and of course there had to be prizes. A shared kai was planned to bring all our kindergarten whanau together.

The day started much like every other birthday party would, the tamariki arrived and everyone was so excited to see what everyone was dressed up as, and of course the kindergarten was decorated beautifully with balloons and a long party paper chain (that the children had made leading up to the day). The place and everyone looked fantastic.

It was a busy morning as we had Zair, Kate and the help of Kate (Arlo’s Mum) on the face painting table inside and outside Christine had a table on the go making and decorating party hats.

"I liked getting my face painted and eating cake" Milla.

Whanau time came around and we sang 'Happy Birthday' to Mairtown and Mia (as our youngest child here at kindergarten) got to put a birthday sticker on the wall wherever she pleased. The tamariki got into four little groups and we played pass the parcel, which was a real treat as the tamariki all ended up with a prize. We also had a special visitor come and say hello, his name was Greg. He shared with us that he went to Mairtown Kindergarten in 1958 and to this very day he is still friends with some of his kindergarten friends, which we all thought was super cool.

As the day progressed the excitement never ended with lots of other party games played along the way, musical statues, Simon says and musical bumps. The tamariki and kaiako were having a marvellous day. With party mode in full force there was something we needed to do next, to sit down together with our whanau and visitors to share in the delicious array of kai that the kaiako and whanau brought in to celebrate Mairtown’s 60^th Birthday. Before we did that we needed to have cake because what’s a party if there’s no cake?

We all came together for a quick whanau time before lunch and we got to sing Happy Birthday to Mairtown again. We thought it was fitting that Donna, Jane (Milla’s Mum) and Rafe (Lily’s Dad) who had attended Mairtown Kindergarten were asked to do the honours and blow out the candles on the cake.

"I liked when my Dad got to blow out the candles and when we got to eat cake" Lily.

With the cake being done and the games all complete, there was only one thing to do, our mihi mo to kai so we could all go and enjoy the delicious food together. It was such a generous and delicious kai too. Thank you so much to all the whanau for bringing a plate of kai to share and taking time out of their day to be a part of this special celebration. We are so thankful to have such a wonderfully supportive community who come together for these types of events. The people of Mairtown are what make it and what continues to make it a beautiful place.