Listen Now: 
The principal of Kelston Intermediate says he’s not put off by controversy over the school’s use of karakia, and there will probably be more prayers to come.
Phil Gordon says he still doesn’t know which teacher has supposedly complained to their union about the prayer being used to start classes and the school assembly.
But he says time for karakia is an important part of the culture of the school, reflecting the culture of the community it serves, which includes a large number of Māori and Pacific whānau.
"It’s important that our students are able to succeed as who they are and where they are from and cultural practices that we try to develop in our school to ensure that our kids can achieve according to their culture and an environment that supports that. That is all we are trying to do," he says.
Mr Gordon says Kelston Intermediate may look at introducing karakia in languages other than Māori.
Ka karakia tonu te kura ō Kelston
E mea ana te tūmuaki ō te Kura Takawaenga ō Kelston, kāore ia i te paku maharahara, ahakoa te tutūnga ō te puehu puta noa i te motu, i te amuamu ā ētahi ō ngā kaiako ō te kura mō ngā karakia Māori e karakiatia ana i te tīmatanga ō ia rā.
Hei tā Phil Gordon, kāore tonu ia i te tino mōhio, ko wai mā ngā kaiako i amuamu ki te Riuroa, engari, hei tāna, he mea nui te taki karakia ki te ahurea ō te kura, nō reira, ka karakiatia tonutia aua karakia.
Copyright © 2013, UMA Broadcasting Ltd
RELATED NEWS
