2021 project outcomes and evaluations

Culturally Responsive Practice Achievement Challenge

Kaiarahi at Te Pā attended training in Atua Matau to reconnect to places, communities, history and traditions. Ao Tawhiti has expanded their knowledge of Ngāi Tūahuriri history and connection to the whenua, as well as increased resourcing for te reo māori and tikanga. At Hagley, a cross-curricular teacher professional learning group has improved culturally responsive pedagogy within their learning spaces. Several Early Childhood Education Services celebrated the diversity of tamariki in each service, as well as identifying culturally responsive practice as a 2022 focus.

Wellbeing Achievement Challenge

The mental health adviser role introduced this year has strengthened the service already provided by kāhui ako pastoral care teams by sharing clinical expertise and community services knowledge. Positive education initiatives at Christchurch East have included trauma-informed practice professional development with Kathryn Berkett, using kāhui provided NZ Institute of Wellbeing 'Bite-Size Wellbeing' learning resource, as well as the development and review of a new behaviour management plan focusing on a values and expectation driven approach to understanding and supporting student behaviour.

Future Focused Learning Achievement Challenge

Te Pā introduced collaborative Inquiry learning with core teachers from Years 1 - 8 to develop mathematical inquiry communities, with the goal of tamariki working together and realising their potential as mathematicians. Kaitiaki leaders at Christchurch East worked with the Christchurch City Council on a weekly basis to develop and present plans for the Red Zone Land. At Ao Tawhiti, a peer support programme has been developed focused on the new Year 7&8 community to welcome and transition students into the kura. A research-based pilot study has been run at Hagley into students’ and teachers’ mindsets about selected STEM subjects in order to improve achievement and pathways, with a second initiative to raise the achievement and social integration of multi-lingual learners.

Pathways Achievement Challenge

A professional learning group has inquired into successful transitions and inductions at Ao Tawhiti. Hagley has examined Year 9 student induction processes and is seeking experiences about the transition to secondary school from students, whānau and teachers at contributing schools.

The full report on 2021 Te Taura Here projects can be found here.