NZQA supports Te Kōpuku High's approach
Te Kōpuku High works closely with an NZQA School Liaison, who supports the principles that drive our thinking behind assessment:
Curriculum level expectations met before being assessed. This is based on the fact that assessment standards are derived from our national curricula
Mokopuna centred and directly related to their ara ako and readiness
Strong focus on numeracy and literacy
Developing soft skills and core capabilities that are transferable across a range of learning areas and real-life contexts
Grounded in te ao Māori
The advantage of working towards achieving assessment standards over a longer period of time (Level 3 over 3-4 years) means that teaching and learning is a priority and ensures coverage and understanding of the breadth of knowledge and concepts derived from the national curricula at the desired curriculum level, across a range of learning areas or subjects.
Furthermore, mokopuna and pouako have more time to collaborate on tracking their progress against assessment goals as well as values, soft skills, core capabilities and any other meaningful experiences that would support their ara ako and how they relate to the world when they leave Te Kōpuku High.
Our NZQA School Liaison confirmed that other schools are now moving towards modern teaching and learning practices similar to ours which is reassuring:
Taking out level one for some mokopuna
Working towards one qualification as opposed to having to sit level 1, 2 and 3
Focusing on only gaining literacy and numeracy skills and credits for a year, through various learning contexts
Integrated learning experiences that move away from subject-specific lessons