Tikaka (Kāi Tahu) / Tikanga (Ngāi Tahu): (noun) correct procedure, custom, habit, lore, method, manner, rule, way, code, meaning, plan, practice, convention, protocol - the customary system of values and practices that have developed over time and are deeply embedded in the social context. Credit: Te Aka online Māori Dictionary

Our Kaiako (teachers), Kaiāwhina (learning assistants) and ākoka (students) have been working with Whaea Ana to integrate mihi whakatau into our school tikaka. It matters greatly to us that our community whānau feel welcomed and supported in the next phase of their education journey.

We appreciate that you had a choice when selecting your child's school and are delighted that you chose us! We are proud of our fabulous community who look out for each other. This commitment is evidenced by our school value: He waka eke noa - we're all in this together.

It was a privilege to be able to formally welcome you this morning - we hope you will be very happy at Bradford.

The NZ Curriculum is deemed a clear statement of what is important in education. All state schools in Aotearoa are tasked with working with their community to gain shared understandings about the teaching and learning wanted in their kura. This is called the local curriculum.

At Bradford School, we want a local curriculum that strengthens our people and celebrates our place. Learning should be personalised and inclusive to take into account our students' aspirations, interests, identity, language, and culture.

One of the most favoured caregiver wishes in the 2024 end of year community survey, was for Bradford School to provide rich opportunities for our ākoka to continue to learn about our local Kāi Tahu history and practices.

In 2025 our staff will be working to enrich students learning opportunities by fostering strong relationships within our school and the wider community including iwi in the following ways:

• Liaising regularly with our cherished Whaea Ana; drawing from and honouring her expertise as she grows us all with a particular foci on supporting Māori to achieve success as Māori (MASSAM).

• During the year, we will continue to hui with Bradford whānau Māori to establish aspirations and monitor the progress of weaving Te Tiriti o Waitangi into our classroom learning.

• We are aware that just over one fifth (22%) of our ākoka population whakapa Māori but fully appreciate this percentage may be greater as many whānau list only one ethnicity on the enrolment form. Often throughout the year during our inquiry topics it will come up that there is yet to be explored Māori genealogy within families. We will work to provide opportunities (without pressure) to connect and celebrate whakapapa Māori when whānau are ready.

• 2025 sees the second year of Emma participating in the Māori Achievement Collaborative (MAC) whose kaupapa is to ensure that through Wānaka encounters all leaders grow their knowledge and understanding, strengthen relationships and engage in Te Ao Māori.

• Lisa McKillop remains in the Cultural Leader position at Bradford. Her role is to provide cultural expertise and leadership to staff and students. Complementing her Arts major, Lisa holds a minor degree in Māori; an area she is passionate about continuing to develop in our kura.

• Our Kaiāwhina (Learning Assistants) are building upon their previous learning by undertaking weekly te reo sessions after school with John Birnie. Supported by Lisa, they had their first session for the year last Thursday and all were very enthused when I checked in with them afterwards.

Our full 2025 Annual Plan will have the final review by our Board of Trustees this coming Wednesday. Once passed it will be forwarded to the Ministry of Education and made available on our school website from 1st March.

Kā manaakitaka (with best wishes),

Emma and the Bradford Team