Sing Up Day!

By Kristen Ferguson | Posted: Wednesday June 28, 2023

Sing Up Day is an opportunity for schools all around the world to celebrate the power of song and spread a little singing.

On Wednesday, 28 June, Kaikorai School got together in our hall to sing the "Sing Up Day" songs together. The theme for Sing Up Day 2023 is global voice and the things that connect us – the earth, the sea, and the air we breathe. 

One of the songs, Blossom Out by Tomuri Spicer, is a gentle, laid-back, and summery celebration of the earth and our connection to the natural world around us. Featuring taonga pūoro (traditional Māori instruments) and snippets of haka (traditional chant in the Māori language) based on whakataukī (Māori proverbs), Tomuri’s clever lyrics encourage us to recognise our individual strengths, gifts, and uniqueness to ‘blossom out like a flower’ and ‘stand strong like a forest’.

The second song we sang was Dreams Across the Ocean (Away, roll to Sea) by Laura Bradshaw and Joseff Gnagbo. This is a fresh and modern take on a sea shanty following the journey of a raindrop to the ocean as a metaphor to explore how we are all connected by the bodies of water that cover our planet.

Then each syndicate entertained us with a favourite song of theirs. It was lovely to hear their voices come together! We ended the assembly with a school favourite - Bad Hair Day, which showed our school's enthusiasm when we all get together. 

Singing with other people can help build connections and feelings of togetherness. It can boost your happiness, improve a sense of community and help you relax! 

Thank you to Mrs Kumar and the school choir for making this day happen!

Ko te waiata tahi ka hanga hononga me te harikoa ~ Singing together builds connectedness and happiness!

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