72 hours and 14 schools to navigate in the quest of finding that point of difference...
Collective thoughts, reflections and wonderings...
# School
School values very much a part of the living and learning in this school. You could see this in the way both learners and teachers interacted. The school guides were very proud of their school and were able to give us a lot of back story and information about both playground design and the learning spaces. Listening to them and talking with learners and teachers in the classroom I got a real sense that their ideas and beliefs are not only considered but listened to and actioned. Approaches to teaching and learning are about valuing and validating culture, language and identity. An inclusive approach that fosters connections between teachers, students, whānau, and communities to enhance learning. There has been a deliberate focus on relationships for both learners and teachers - living the school values. Kindness has been added (due to the passing away of a student whom personified this value) + the word together in their vision - growing success together. Principal is building capacity of staff which has resulted in a lot of young teachers stepping up and sharing responsibility; we’re all in this together. Development of a local curriculum a priority - but seeing a lot of this in action already. Community support comes in to force when it's something Big and Bold as majority of students are bused in 30 minutes+ away...but from conversations with students they and their whanau have not only a sense of ownership of their learning journey but pride too...
# School
Visual school’s values in English & Te reo Māori. 150 students / 6 classes - all composite. High levels of engagement across all classes. Teachers and learners collaborating to co-construct supportive and productive learning. E.G. "Mahi-Tahi" learning focuses on communication, critical thinking, collaboration and creativity. Learners could confidently describe connections with evidence of their learning and evidence of reciprocal learning across the school, wider community and with parents. Maori learners doing better than European learners because they are provided opportunities...so everyone is successful. Post it’s on kids work. Putting parents in the kids shoes and addressing the life skills of building resilience and taking the knocks. Passing it on through leadership.
# School
Graphic visualisers leading and guiding learning everywhere, even in the toilets! Art installations were guided by adults, made by kids and contextualised their culture and their values and learning. Magnificent management of special needs kids...14 ORRS kids almost invisible....ORRS kids are doing the gardening, with a teacher funded by ORRS. Garden to table was amazing - fed into "tuck-shop". Structured learning in every class was amazing. Fence around library space was really cool and inviting.
# School
Smallest and most remote kura - 49 students (two learning spaces). Powhiri led by learners - including karanga, Haka pōwhiri and Whaikōrero. Heart warming welcome to their place. Though they are small they are full of precious treasures… School hours accommodate the journeys in and out by bus. Very little community support due to economic climate
# School
Students do the unit reflections...to infinity and beyond; EVERYONE has to have a strong voice in what learning is. School pepeha if you did not have one the school’s pepeha was it...no questions asked - sense of belonging. The language of learning is consistent throughout the school. Amazing grounds that are at the heart of teaching and learning and a commitment to the children that goes beyond 3Rs. Student ambassadors LOVE their school and walk and talk the talk. They can really articulate the story of what the school is about in an entirely unscripted way. Every part of the grounds have been turned into something fun and/or useful. 'Troubled kids' gardening...ORRS funding being used to support active and positive programmes outside of the classroom setting. Common theme of extending roofs and verandahs to create dry play and lunch eating spaces and to enlarge area for learning activities. Pou telling values story with other installation ‘points’ that aid in the telling of the story...specialist teacher to oversee these art installations. The school as a rule is culturally responsive and culturally grounded..can play everywhere - no out of bounds areas. EOTC embedded in the school curriculum.
# School
Leadership style can transfer to the leading learners - a particular kind of warm, engaging Maori humour was in evidence in kids as well as Tumuaki. Leadership opportunities for children+. Tell and face the truth - ownership. Use of every space for learning for all... Huge effort put into connection with Whanau, understanding the immediate whakapapa and who belongs to and with whom...all learners should know the history of their area; telling the story through outdoor installations, digitised, etc. Whanaungatanga at the beginning showed Tumuaki’s knowledge of each kid and who they belonged to (Foundations in past, foot in present, eyes on the future). Waka hoe to carry values should fit with Kaupapa. Sharing of kaupapa with her team - they now own it and add to it, very happy staff! Waiata here was of highest quality, written specifically for the school; unusual degree of control and harmony for a primary school setting. Learning built upon Partnership, Protection & Participation where Whanau & Tuakana Teina = success. I am the waka, the waka is me...the journey encompasses everything!
Identity
An authentic and secure sense of belonging founded in where you have come from,
where you are going and where you want to be
An accountability to someone other than yourself for your learning journey
Secure and visible values which everyone adheres to
Genuine interactions which cross ALL cultural barriers
Building capacity and sustainability
Local curriculum that works because it is local
Communication, critical thinking, collaboration and creativity
Opportunities to be successful
Resilience
Structured learning - not necessarily be within the confinements of the classroom
Connections
Transference of leadership
Big Take-away:
Be careful who you pretend to be...
you might forget who you are
and what you can be!
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...spreading the message across Kura; raising student achievement for Maori.
...bringing people together: developing relationships, collaboration, communication, engagement, contributions, advocacy and identity.
