Nau mai, haere mai. This is Andrew and Raeleen's second year as a collaborative team.

In our learning team we aim to create a safe and happy environment that encourages learning and personal growth for everyone. 

This includes; 

• positive role modelling 
• empowering a yearn to learn 
• empowering wonder 
• feeling safe to take risks and accept challenges 
• face-to-face communication when possible 
• high expectations 
• awareness of others in our space 
• acceptance of difference
• honesty 
• managing ourselves - property, behaviour and learning

Our learners are welcome inside the classrooms from 8.30 am. Each morning will include a reading, writing and maths session. Additionally, we have science on Monday, PE on Wednesday, Technology (Food Tech or Deign Tech) on Friday morning, and Huihui (assembly) on Friday afternoon. 

Our Term One Inquiry will be centred around the whakatauki He waka eke noa - we are all in this waka together. Our main concept focus will be Manaakitanga with additional focus on the concepts of  connection and identity and hauora as the term progresses. 

We will unpack the whakatauki (proverb) ‘He Waka Eke Noa’ and the meaning of ‘Manaakitanga’ and how it relates to ourselves. We will create a class culture, expectations and our pepeha (sayings/expressions) to reinforce a sense of belonging. Accompanying this, we will discover our original roots of our tipuna (ancestors) and their means of migration to Aotearoa (New Zealand). There will be a focus on the migration of Maori ancestors using waka (canoe) to voyage across the Pacific.

Here's a little about ourselves.

I am a Dunedin girl, and very proudly support Otago. I have been teaching since last century in schools around New Zealand and in the UK. I began teaching at Te Oraka Shirley Intermediate at the end of Term One 2023. In between teaching, I have travelled to far and distant lands, working in a variety of jobs including a water skiing instructor, a carer, and a roguer. In addition to being a teacher, I am a full-time Mum! When not being a Mum or at work, I enjoy music, gardening and connecting with others. I have a passion for the arts and well-being.

I am Christchurch born and raised - One Eyed Cantabrian! I have a long and varied background in sport coaching, swimming and recreation. This is my fifth year at Te Oraka Shirley Intermediate. My specialty interests are teaching history, geography, drama, mathematics and sport. I run various sports teams at the school with good success in recent years in badminton and football. I have a personal interest in fantasy writing (currently trying to write my own series) and run the school Dungeons and Dragons club.