SARAH PARDER Within school Kāhui Ako teacher, Hagley College

Te Taura Here o Ōtautahi kāhui ako is a community of learning like no other: four really diverse schools and 10 early childhood education centres, located in and around the central city!

Collaboration and forging connections are important for our young people’s wellbeing.

Improving wellbeing is a central achievement challenge for Te Taura Here o Ōtautahi.

This project has been focussing on raising the achievement of Māori and Pasifika students through a student mentorship program.

On Wednesday 18th November, under grey skies and a hint of drizzle, members of our Kahui early years group met at Tākaro ā Poi /Margaret Mahy playground to begin a ‘city tour’ with Samantha from Matauraka Mahaanui.

Our students have a desire to support and lead others in a way that encompasses our special character and core values.

How young people view themselves and what they're capable of has an impact on their wellbeing and educational outcomes.

Using technology to support learning is an important part of a 21st century education. The importance of students being familiar with technology to use it every day for their learning was further highlighted during lockdown earlier in the year.

In line with our CES kaupapa, especially ‘Nohonga Tahitanga’, we have been working hard to create a sense of community by giving back and taking part. “Do I make a difference?” “How can I contribute?”

In November we held a small hui at Ao Tawhiti to begin to form connections between the primary and ECE’s members of our Kahui.

Ao Tawhiti has only existed as a Year 1-13 school since 2014.

The 15-week course called ‘Fast Path’ involves students learning Level 2 Maths and Physics Achievement Standards in both online and classroom settings.

Over term three and four, Lesley Cowie and I have been talking to a range of students and teachers as part of a project inquiring into the link between ELL and mainstream programmes and working to improve learning pathways between the programmes.

Being educators in the CBD brings some unique challenges but it also provides unique opportunities.

Hybrid Learning enables students to learn beyond the four wall of the classroom and school timetable.