This term, tamariki in Toroa have been developing their thinking around our inquiry concept of Power and Injustice.

During Inquiry, Tamariki discussed what power and injustice could be and then created brainstorms around these concepts. Students have had rich and engaging discussions about what power can look like, and how it can be different locally, nationally and globally. Students were tasked with creating a collaborative continuum within their homegroups, placing local, national and global scale leaders, singers, sports stars and apps like instagram from the least powerful to the most powerful people. The discussion was robust and interesting, with lots of amazing ideas and justification around what is power and what has the power to influence. This thinking has been displayed in the hub and whānau are more than welcome to come in and see it.

In our literacy groups, these concepts are evident again. We have been engaging in a range of texts that have highlighted power and injustice in Māori history and with connection to the Te Tiriti O Waitangi.

The kaiako in Toroa have been impressed with the way our tamariki have demonstrated the school values of Manaakitanga and Ako. They have continued to show respect and care while discussing some hard truths around Aotearoa’s history. While also delving deep to understand how people's lived experiences have been shaped and reshaped by the use and misuse of power.

During our P.E. sessions, students have been playing cooperative games. One of these games involved students jumping with two feet through hula hoops and then having a tense game of paper, scissors, rock. The game was adapted to show how injustice can occur through someone in power making a decision. Students worked together to negotiate this rule and one student even formed a silent protest. It was great to see tamariki demonstrating ngātahi while also thinking about what we are learning.

Students will be looking at some real life examples of how people respond to situations where they believe an injustice has occurred. We look forward to seeing our tamariki continue to grow in their understanding.