Welcome to the February 2024 Newsletter From The Vines
Meet our New Manager – Hailee McDonald
Kia Ora Vines whānau
I am very excited to be taking on the role of Centre Manager here at The Vines. This is a place myself and my children have really felt at home. It is a place where we strive for connection and community to be celebrated in all that we do.
Should you ever have any questions, or concerns or simply want to chat, I can be contacted on 021 339 246 or manager@thevineselc.co.nz.
The Chinese new year is on the 10th of February
2024 is the Year of the Dragon. It is tradition to celebrate with family on Chinese new year’s eve (除⼣ /chúxī). This
celebration of the new lunar year represents fresh beginnings. Good luck is accumulated for the rest of the year through ritual practices as well as the exchange of verbal wishes and gifts exchanged between loved ones.
Relatives and friends engage in bai nian (拜年). Bai means the respectful clasp of one hand over a fist in front of your chest. Together with nian, meaning year, it refers to the activity of visiting a friend or family’s home to exchange gifts and good wishes for the new year.
On the 24th of February the Chinese New Year holiday comes to its climax with the Yuan Xiao (元宵节 / yuán xiāo jié), or Lantern Festival. The Lantern Festival began over 2000 years ago and has developed many meanings. It celebrates family reunions and society. It features ancient spiritual traditions. Some also call this the “true” Chinese Valentine’s Day.
There are many activities include moon gazing, relatives and friends engage in baai nin (拜年, bai nian in Mandarin). Baai means the respectful clasp of one hand over a fist in front of your chest, and together with nin, meaning year, it refers to the activity of visiting a friend or family’s home to exchange gifts and good wishes for the new year.
Waitangi Day is celebrated throughout New Zealand every year on February 6.
It is a celebration of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi document in 1840 at the home of James Busby at Waitangi.
Wednesdays rock
Every Wednesday, something magical happens at our centre that has our little ones grinning from ear to ear. The entire Vines team looks forward to it. We can’t wait to see our tamariki discover, develop, and dance with JitterBubs!
If you would like to enrol your child or have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. We’re here to make your little one’s time with us at The Vines as enjoyable and enriching as we can.
Splashing around with water
Playing with water is a great way to engage our little ones and have fun on a hot day, but that’s not all it’s good for. Here at The Vines, we believe that the environment can be one of the best teachers and water play promotes learning and growth for children of all ages.
