I sat and watched in amazement as the Modern Maori Quartet captured the audiences hearts and minds in a spine tingling, inspiring and thought provoking performance. What are these guys, what do they represent and what is their message ?
Just in case you are wondering, no this has not become a performing arts blog but there was certainly a strong message that we can all learn from…
This performance although Kiwi in nature did not take place in New Zealand, it was part of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival line up and we attended having seen these guys in their homeland. A bunch of 4 Maori dudes, musically talented and able to tell a story through music, dance and their own language. The strength of the performance was not just their musical talents but their cultural connections and the interaction with the audience- we were in the palm of their hands!
Stories
Each one of the band members telling a story of love, loss, regret and fear. Each one telling the tale using a prologue that you couldn’t help but relate to. Each one showing the flaws of their personality and the lessons learned. Each one showing that strength and truth is the path to contentment and happiness.
Fast forward a few weeks from the summer holidays to going back to work as a PE teacher. To most teachers this was perfectly normal after 6 weeks off, for me a little different. I was returning from a 2 year secondment…
The question on everyone’s lips;
“How is it being back?”
To this I reply;
“It’s great!”
On occasion this has been met with a confused look or even challenged, that it can’t possibly be after teaching in New Zealand and Australia!?
Green Grass…
Just as many of you will know what it’s like returning home after your first year at uni, the same feelings have occurred as I return to my work in Scotland. I returned to a lovely warm welcome, I realised I had taken for granted the little things and home isn’t as bad as you claim in moments of frustration!
I can easily say that the time spent teaching abroad has had an incredible and positive influence on my life and profession. I have so much to thank my fellow Kiwi colleagues and friends for during the time spent teaching and developing programmes over there. Equally it is exciting to come home with ideas and programmes to try out in our curriculum and wider approaches to life.
We may often find ourselves wishing ourselves in a different work or life situation in challenging moments. From my experience I can say that as beautiful and different as New Zealand was there were still people who faced frustrations with admin jobs, stresses at home and work and young people who;
“Don’t know how lucky they are! “
It is our default setting to think that the grass is greener…well the grass is greener because NZ is volcanic but what I’m saying is that, it’s easy to think that it’s way better out there or somewhere else away from our own frustrations and fears. A lesson learned from time abroad; that Scotland is seen as a beautiful and friendly country and its education system is held in high esteem internationally. I had Kiwis tell me that I’m the lucky one and they would love to live in my homeland!
Pride and perspective
The very things that they thought were better in Scotland reminded me of how lucky we are, but find it difficult when the media capitalise on telling us we are doomed! Things like the history, the views – like the one above (yes that’s Scotland), the culture and people, our NHS, affordable food, help to buy schemes, free school meals and support for struggling families, national programmes for our young people, priorities for new born babies and parental leave, business start up grants and free advice, free public schools, colleges and universities! We are still among only a handful of counties in the world to place such an importance on education for all.
Education in NZ places priority on a number of different factors; culture, arts and sport to name a few! I was lucky enough to have the chance to work with the school Kapa Haka group- a rich and insightful experience. Outside of work there were opportunities to learn and collaborate with some incredible entrepreneurs, highlighting my motivations to work. No matter what your profession or passion as long as you feel you can contribute to a cause bigger than yourself in an area you care about you will be successful. There are too many successful people who did this and followed their true calling for this not to be the case.
Positive passion
Culture and belonging are the key to a happy social and emotional life and living in NZ helped prove the importance of this. Some of the learners were able to make cultural connections while in the classroom and were able to gain belonging at the school Marae. I thought to myself that this is so important, relevant in their lives and important in my culture too. It only took attending a Ceilidh at the weekend to fully cement this !
Bridge of Don Academy to Whangaparaoa college and back – 2 very different environments. Both worlds apart from the outside and you would judge them based on a number of criteria, but as far as I can see powered by purpose and passion. As long as both remain rich in opportunities there is a place for young people to grow and develop.
The message from the Maori Quartet centred around being true to yourself, your motivations and the important things you can look after in your life. Without making this a full on gratitude journal I have to say that a little bit of perspective, getting outside the bubble and seeing life on the other side helps to cement what’s truly important to a fulfilled life.
Lead on,
Hayley 😊
Intuitive Design Sessions 
Eloquent and relevant as always x
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Linda please tell mum you think I’m eloquent! Amazing response and support as always thank you !!
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This is so awesome sis!! Love your insights, storytelling and authenticity. You have a gift ❤
Bri xx
On Fri, Sep 7, 2018 at 9:08 AM, chasing the sun east wrote:
> chasingthesuneast posted: ” I sat and watched in amazement as the Modern > Maori Quartet captured the audiences hearts and minds in a spine tingling, > inspiring and thought provoking performance. What are these guys, what do > they represent and what is their message ? Just in case yo” >
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Thank you Briony! Stretching my storytelling and creative muscles to see what I’m capable of. So much love for the support. ❤️ HB xx
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