Thursday January 31

Visited Puke Ariki, Pukerangiora, Kohanga Moa Marae, organised by Inglewood Primary School with Damon Ritai & Rumatiki Timu as support and telling stories about places we visited. A great day with lots of learning and also giving back to our Marae. Attendees on the day, weeded, developed soil and planted flowers in two garden beds close to Matamua.

Monday 4 February 2019

Began Transitions Hui with Chrissie Lepper, Early Childhood Teachers and New Entrant Teachers.

Purpose: To provide support to Kāhui Ako o Kõhanga Moa around transition pathways to school and kura, in particular understanding the connections between Te Whāriki and New Zealand Curriculum.

Chrissy visited ECE centres Monday 4/2 and 5/2 with Sally and Lorraine to begin scoping document. From there we decided the first workshop (Wednesday Feb 20 3.30-5.30) will be looking at Te Whāriki. We had a few important sessions over the 6 months we worked with Chrissy.

*Introduction /Key shifts in Te Whāriki /Conversations about Assessment

We had about 27 people attend the sessions. Chrissy looked at various parts of the Te Whāriki document and we had discussions about how Te Whāriki links to The NZ Curriculum. We looked at the Strands, Goals and Learning Outcomes. We also covered some of the history of Te Whāriki. It is internationally renowned. ECE in NZ is held in high regard throughout the world.

* Transition Work with Chrissy Lepper:

Chrissy spent time over two days visiting a number of centres in our Kāhui Ako. The goal of these visits was for kaiako to facilitate discussion with Chrissy re key messages that have been taken away from the transitions hui: wonderings: What are the implications for you in practice? In essence – what have you been thinking about and what are your next steps? She was also there to answer any questions.

* Learning more about Te Whariki

*Knowledge Cafe July 3

A celebration; where we sat in small groups of 4 to 6 and each person had an opportunity to tell their story. Very Informal, talked about their wonderings, changes made, challenges, possible next steps. Brought some evidence (notes, photos, videos (that everyone could view in small groups), planning. Each individual person to bring this and tell own story. Then form another group and share with different people (will do this 3 times if possible) The meeting concluded with open discussion of a Shared Question. A great turnout considering it was nearly the end of the Term, and it was a wet and cold day. All Primary Schools had representatives, plus Jo Wilson attended for a bit, Lyndsey Marment (RTLB) and Judy Stokes (Learning Support) It was really interesting hearing the stories that kaiako had to share, and watching the interactions in the groups. Further links were made between Junior teachers, some of whom are keen to visit each other in schools. There is already a lot more interaction between schools and ECE centres

Thursday June 13

Visit from Waitomo Arotahi Kāhui Ako

During our visit from Waitomo Arotāhi Kāhui Ako we had our Kaumatua Rimatiki Timu, plus five of our key leadership team together with three Board of Trustees members and two Within School Teachers speaking at various times to the visiting sixteen members.

As the day progressed and knowledge was shared the day coupled as an information session and also a celebration of how far we had come as a Kāhui.

First Performance of Kāhui Ako o Kōhanga Moa Kapa Haka

We had Manuhiri from Waitomo Arōtahi Kāhui Ako visit June 13, hosted by Inglewood Primary. We took the opportunity to have a first ever performance by our emerging Kāhui Ako Kapa Haka group. Many thanks to Kaarena Kingi, Lorraine Hitchcock (Norfolk) and Whaea Marcelle Messenger (IPS) for planting the seed with regard to having such a group. It was wonderful to see hopes and dreams realised.

Other Happenings 2019:

Shared Pedagogy – Digital Fluency

Our teaching staff are enjoying PD with members of the Sharpe Associates Team. The team have had Teaching Staff across the Kāhui and also within individual centres. The facilitators report back great progress and increased confidence and competence with the use of Digital Fluency in our classrooms.