Improving Educational Outcomes for Māori Students

Our charter includes aims that reflect the unique position of Māori culture in New Zealand society.

These aims promote the value of te reo Māori (language) and tikanga Māori ( culture), and are in accordance with the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi.

They are legal requirements under the Education Act, 1989.

To ensure success for Māori students, Gorge Road School:

• tracks the achievement of Māori students.

• identifies any areas where a Māori student’s educational achievement is not in line with their peers.

• ensures that support programmes for Māori students are provided, if necessary.

• supports staff in implementing effective practices that promote success for Māori students.

• evaluates the impact of these programmes and practices and uses this information in self-review.

• reports regularly on the progress of Māori students to parents, the board, and the Ministry of Education when the cohort is greater than five, due to privacy concerns.

Gorge Road School regularly monitors and reports on Māori student achievement.

Reviewed March 2022

Recognition of Cultural Diversity

Gorge Road School, as appropriate to its community, will develop procedures and practices that reflect New Zealand’s cultural diversity and the unique position of Māori culture.

In recognising the unique position of the Māori culture, Gorge Road School will take all reasonable steps to provide instruction in tikanga (culture) and te reo (language) Māori for all students.

Gorge Road is committed to Māori pupils enjoying education success as Māori, guided by Ka Hikitia.

To achieve this, the school will:

• continue the development of Tikanga me ona Te Reo Māori for all staff and students through classroom programmes

• provide opportunities for kapahaka activities

• sing waiata (Māori songs) in assembly & classroom music

• use resources in the curriculum that recognise New Zealand’s bicultural heritage

• infuse Māori through curriculum planning, as appropriate

• consult with the Māori community

• be committed to appointing staff with strengths in Māori education

If whānau request a higher level of tikanga and/or te reo than is available in our school’s programme, the staff and family will discuss and explore the following options:

• explanation of existing programmes

• extend the existing programmes if and as appropriate

• provide in-school support and resources to enhance inclusion of te reo and tikanga Māori

• use of community expertise

We also celebrate and value a variety of cultures by recognising cultural difference as appropriate, for example:

• integration of cultural perspectives throughout unit studies across all levels,

• convening parent support groups and meetings,

• accessing cultural advisors, cultural dance/food festivals...

• classroom programmes incorporating different greetings.

Reviewed March 2022