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Ferdinand the Bull - Tale of a Mascot
Rugby fever is in the air! The All Blacks are winning, the World Cup begins in October and the NPC starts on Friday night.
It's time to paint your face, grab your Taranaki scarf and head for Yarrow Stadium. These days Little Bull charges up and down the sideline but 50 years ago Ferdie revved up the Rugby Park crowd before a big match. When Ferdinand the bull roared, so did the crowd!
REWIND
True or false? Back in the 50s…
1. Elvis was a star!
2. New Plymouth had a clock tower and the same one stands in the same place today.
3. Trains steamed into railway yards where the windwand and walkway are now.
4. Rock Around the Clock was a huge hit.
5. People used pencils for text messages.
Starter: High Five
Read the story - Ferdinand the Bull - Tale of a Mascot.
- Make up five questions about Ferdinand and the people from those times.
- Find a classmate and ask your first question. When you get their answer, they can ask you one of theirs. Just keep going like this until you both answer all five! It's a good way to build your knowledge.
Heroes or villains?
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The smokers sitting under Ferdie
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The Waikato police
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| Ross Brown |
Ferdinand the bull |
Top quote
Find the quote in the story that best shows that Ferdinand was once a very popular bull. (A quote is something a person says.)
Take action!
Think, pair and then share ideas in a bigger group or class!
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The groups
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Took action by |
For the purpose of |
| Council workers |
............ |
............ |
| King Country supporters |
............ |
............ |
| The Waikato Police |
............ |
............ |
Want more?
For more on Ferdie you could read How Ferdinand got his Roar. Find out how Ferdie's roar was heard at the game and read the gruesome details. You might be astonished!
In the 50s and 60s all real Taranaki rugby fans knew the words to the Ferdinand song. Form a quartet with three mates. Become legends in your own lunchtime. Sing the song to the tune of Robin Hood and then perform it to your class. Click here to listen to the tune.
Shutterbug
Check out this photo from Puke Ariki's photographic collection. It's Oakura in the 1950s.
1. List the things that you can still see in Oakura today.
2. List some buildings that arrived after the 1950s.
FAST FORWARD
...to 2003. Read all about it...
Horror Headlines
Read the story- it's a goodie!
Write a headline to match each of the mascot's dirty deeds.
In the hotseat
It's your decision! Do this in a group of three. Read the headlines and news briefs below. Read the questions and then decide.
It's true. Taranaki rugby chiefs have said at 18, McGillie the Scottish Highland bull is too old. Owner Gail Simons says McGillie is acting like a spring chicken.
- What do you think? Bring back McGillie or give McGillie a rest?
Jonah has two chances to get himself back into the All Blacks for the World Cup but he has to be picked for Wellington's first two NPC games. He played half a game on Saturday but didn't look too fit.
- What would you do if you were the Wellington coach? Give Jonah a chance or pick the best player.
Then and Now
The TreasureLink quiz - The 1950s or 2003? You decide.
1. Night rugby 2. Long sleeved rugby jerseys 3.White shorts 4. Kicking tees 5. Sin bins 6. Short back and sides 7. The dribble rush 8. White laces 9. Meat pies 10. Nail-in sprigs
11. Being paid to play 12. Fullbacks wearing number one 13. Zambucks 14. Oranges at halftime. 15 Referees dressed in white.
See the Real Ferdie!
He's in the Taranaki Life gallery at Puke Ariki. Check him out next time you are there.
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