Te Tiriti O Waitangi & Cultural Inclusiveness

Rationale

• The school acknowledges and respects the Te Tiriti o Waitangi (the Treaty of Waitangi) by encouraging understanding and respect for Te Ao Māori and through recognising and valuing Aotearoa New Zealand’s dual cultural heritage.

• Aspects of Te Reo Māori language and culture will be included in the curriculum content and professional staff development of the school so that all pupils will have a greater dimension and awareness of themselves as New Zealanders.

• All members of the school community should regard the school as their Tūrangawaewae (i.e. a place upon which they can stand and know that they have the right to stand; a place where they belong).

• Jesus admonished Christians to respect and obey civil authorities where they are in harmony with God’s Law. This admonition also applies to New Zealand’s founding document. The school recognises the dual cultural heritage of New Zealand as defined by the Treaty of Waitangi and values the recognition and appreciation of the cultures of all families in the school.

• We accept the obligation to fulfil the intent of the Treaty of Waitangi by valuing and promoting New Zealand’s dual cultural heritage.

Aims

• To ensure that the Curriculum reflects Māori perspectives.

• To make equitable provision in the Curriculum for the instructional needs of Māori students.

• To provide opportunities for students to learn Māori language and culture.

Guidelines

1. The school will take responsibility for initiating and maintaining a process of consultation with whānau, and teachers of our Māori/Pasifika/ESOL ākonga 

2. Consultations will be maintained with whānau and teachers through Parent/Teacher Conferences, and at any other time during the school year the whānau and/or teachers identify a need to meet

3. During the consultation process, whānau will be encouraged to share their ideas concerning the achievement of their children

4. As a consequence of the consultations, goals will be set and plans put in place to help improve the achievement of our Māori/Pasifika/ESOL ākonga.  Goals set will be to meet individual needs and group needs if a trend/pattern appears.  Group needs will be included in the school’s Strategic Plan and Annual Plan

5. Goals will be realistic and achievable in terms of the school’s resources and the support of whānau for their children

6. The school will review and report on the achievement of its Māori ākonga:

   • Individually to whānau

   • Collectively for any group goals

7. Students will be exposed to Māori language and culture.

8. Understanding and respect for the concepts of Whanaungatanga (Relationships); Manaakitanga (Respect), Rangatiratanga (Governance); Mohiotanga; Ako and Kotahitanga (learning from each other and working together as a team) will be encouraged and visible in our values.

9. Mutual respect and understanding of the differing cultural values of Māori and Pakeha will be fostered.

10. The Maori community within the school will be included in all aspects of consultation/communication.

11. We will work towards Te Reo Māori being used regularly and naturally within classrooms.

12. When/if appropriate Māori content will be included in schemes, units and lessons.

13. Establish and develop links with local Māori iwi/whanau to enhance this learning.

14. Establish links with local NZ European families to understand their heritage.

15. Ensure Māori are treated as Māori and their culture and values are respected. Also ensure all other nationalities making up the population of the school are provided with respect and dignity for their various cultures and values.

16. Build up a set of resources for the staff and students to develop understanding and knowledge of the Treaty of Waitangi.

17. Develop class programmes on our true (not fictional) history by looking at our curriculum and seeing how we can affirm the intent of the Treaty in all aspects of recognising both NZ European and Māori as significant people of this nation.

Students and their parents need to be made aware of :

• The Māori history of this area.

• The importance of correct pronunciation of Māori as a courtesy and skill.

• The necessity of understanding customs and cultural values to be comfortable and acceptable at a hui, pōwhiri, tangi, and many other social occasions.

• The importance to intellectual growth of embracing more than one language and how this stimulates all language work.

• The necessity, because of the increased mobility of our workforce, of preparing our children to be able to socialise with confidence, based on understanding, in any part of New Zealand.