Whanau & Whenua May 2011

Beauty in the Ashes

INSPIRED ISLAND BAY SINGER-SONGWRITER

Island Bay resident Donna Muir says the songs that make up her first album are message driven.

‘I guess that I have something that I want to communicate. On the surface, ‘Beauty in the Ashes’ is about suffering and grief.

I tried to write about suffering and loss. I think a lot of the songs will have a high degree of resonance with people who have struggled with this in their lives.

Hopefully though there is a degree of redemption and hope – out of the ashes.

Singing is a way to communicate about people’s difficulties, to make a difference in people’s lives – and possibly encourage some kind of change.

It has been really good to have a creative project”.

‘Beauty in the Ashes’ was released by Jayrem Records on 2 August 2010. It had been recorded over a five year period.

Donna wrote the lyrics and melodies, and her singing tutor Jonny Spence wrote the music and arranged and produced the album.

“I started off with five of my own songs and five covers but ended up with 13 of just my own”.

Donna’s husband Peter, who plays the drums on the album has always encouraged her – sometimes with a critique and sometimes with constructive advice.

Donna, Peter and her group recently performed her album songs for the local community at St Hilda’s Church, Island Bay.

“It was very much a local thing with friends, family and neighbours. It was a wonderful evening. It was a lovely warm environment”.

WONDERFUL LADY – AND OUR CLOSE NEIGHBOUR ACROSS DERWENT STREET

Donna Muir is of Scottish and Maori (Aitanga a Hauiti / Ngati Porou) descent has a background that includes shearing gangs, missionary work, studying drama (and acting), vocalist for Wellington band Salt Licks - and working as a dedicated mid-wife.

She is also a competitive and winning Lyall Bay surfboarder.

Donna's husband Peter is a great builder - he built our new barbecue deck!

Details of her album and how to purchase it online can be found at the Black Seeds Website at:

http://blackseeds.amplifier.co.nz/artist/60271/donna-muir.html

[Interview notes courtesy of Agnes Ginestet, CityLife News, 30 June 2010]

Island Bay School - Te Kura o Tapu te Ranga

ABOUT ISLAND BAY SCHOOL

Island Bay School has a roll of over 400 pupils aged 5 to 11 years, in classes Years 1 to 6 (Standard 4) distributed over about 17 class rooms. Class sizes average around 20 in the junior school to 30 pupils in the senior.

The school is divided into two sections separated by a side street. The main part contains the junior and middle schools, administration, library, hall and dental clinic. The other part is known as Victory Park and contains six classrooms plus a grassed area and fantastic adventure playground.

The school is managed by the Principal Perry Rush and governed by the Board Of Trustees. The Home and School Association co-ordinates the fundraising activities to enhance the services supplied by Ministry of Education funding.

THE 'SCHOOL METAPHOR' (shown above)

The visual metaphor captures the school's learning ethic. The puzzle represents the challenge of constructing a successful life. The child does not build a predetermined puzzle but rather, shapes each puzzle piece in a unique way to build coherent pathways into the local community and ultimately the world.

Each puzzle piece represents the ideas, attitudes and tools necessary to successfully contribute in the world.

In practice, the school aims to produce children that:

1. are resilient, resourceful and self aware
2. have been exposed to a wide range of experiences
3. have imagination and are creative
4. are effective communicators
5. hold strong values and know how to act on them
6. are internally motivated by curiosity
7. have a civic sense of responsibility
8. can challenge, take risks and are prepared to participate
9. are happy and have fun.

Island Bay / Southern Ward - It's just So Beautiful !!

PHOTOS FROM 2010 'PAUL WADE-BROWN MEMORIAL PHOTO COMPETITION'

Matariki - Tapu te Ranga

MAORI NEW YEAR - THE SEVEN SISTERS RISE OVER ISLAND BAY

Our birth-folk
Sky and earth
Together and apart
Grief and yearning
Heaving and strain.

Their children
The woodlands
And the seas
The winds and waves
The food stores
War and stillness.

Though the young struggle
With storms and snares,
The dark and emptiness
Are overcome by light and growth
And the sky is clothed in stars.

Get ready for the westerly
Stand fast for the southerly
It will be icy white inland
And icy cold on the shore.

May the dawn rise
Red-tipped
On snow, on frost

The breath of life!

'Cooking the Books' move up from Ninth Equal to Fifth

UPDATE: 9th December

'Cooking the Books' came in a creditable Fourth Place (equal), after winning one and drawing one game in the final set.


STANDINGS: Scores to 2nd December

Mornington Golf 24
3 Musketeers 23
Kingston Flyers 22
Bench Warmers 21
Cooking the Books 20
Burgers 19
Rintoul High Rollers 19
Long, Short & Fat of It 18
Uni Whiz 17
The Chuckers 16
St Hildas 13
Murphys Crew 13
Med Cool 12
Brian 12
Christines Lot 11
Milk Duds 11
Bridget 10
Neil's Nellies 10
The Siren's Rockers 9
Bombers 4
Go Girls 3
Honkey Tonk Tankers 1
Ladies of Bowls 0


BACKGROUND

KEITH'S TEAM

The 'Cooking the Books' team comprises Gareth ('Skip'), Jeremy ('Bomber'), and Keith ('Plenty of Green'). Last week, while Keith was in Australia, the team moved up 4 spots in the Standings (say no more).

Gareth is an Accountant working for the Office of the Auditor General (father of Ashwin & Gracie), Jeremy is a Cook / Culinary Entrepreneur (father of Georgia & Mitchell), Keith is a part-time cook and part-time economist (father of Sam & Theo).


CAN YOU HANDLE THE JANDAL?
I.B.B.C. Social Summer League

"Have you got what it takes to play in our social summer league?

All you need is a few mates, a good sense of humour and flat soled shoes or bare feet ('jandal' is the Kiwi term for thongs / flip-flops).

We've got awesome bar prices (to help quench your thirst) and if you've never played before, don't worry, we'll guide you and even provide the bowls.

Even better, it doesn't cost a fortune and anyone can play! Get your game on this summer and check out whether you and your mates can actually

... handle the jandal!"