"I was apprehensive, a little nervous. But the kids did extremely well to be able to perform to the level they did."
The group wore outfits recalling the Victorian-era population at Papawai Marae in Greytown, with piupiu (skirts) slung across their upper bodies, hawk feathers in their hair, flashes of tartan and military strip, and incorporating their school colours of red and black.
The period costumes, traditional touches, such as the use of a putatara (conch shell trumpet), and the overall spontaneity and vitality of the group had been unbeatable, Ms Roberts said.
"All of those things contributed and our kids were having fun. The schools we came up against, especially Monrad [Intermediate School] that placed second, were amazing. But our kids had a natural enjoyment that really won the day."
At a special assembly yesterday, principal Russell Thompson was presented with the Super Arts Kapa Haka banner won by the feted group of students, who afterward performed for their schoolmates.
Mr Thompson had attended the Feilding competition and said yesterday the MIS group winning the banner was an emotional experience and "one of the proudest moments I've ever had in education".
The next Super Arts Kapa Haka event will be held at Monrad Intermediate School in Palmerston North, in late 2016.