Update on curriculum review

In Aotearoa/New Zealand, we are two years into a six year programme to refresh the New Zealand Curriculum. Kura have until 2027 to work towards full implementation. This mahi is well underway at Villa Maria College with the introduction of te Mātaiaho in English, Mathematics and the Social Sciences. As the New Zealand Curriculum Refresh is rolled out, the concept of connected learning is one element we are looking to integrate into our curriculum planning.

Last week, I outlined to our community the Year 7-9 pilots that are currently occurring. One way we are investigating learning in our classrooms can be seen in the example illustrated below, where at the end of 2022, English and Social Science worked to develop connected learning classes.

Through connected learning, the College is working to increase links across subjects by working across faculties to deliver units connected through a unifying concept.

Traditionally, classes have been taught in ‘silos’, where the content knowledge was not shared across learning areas. This could mean that ākonga may not have always seen the natural connections across subjects which exist in the real world, and even had to relearn the same concepts unnecessarily in more than one subject area. Through connected learning, kaiako meet to discuss and plan the learning in their subjects, looking closely at the curriculum requirements in each area whilst identifying opportunities where transferrable skills can be developed in each area.

Here at the College, we have been working to develop connections across our learning areas where two or more subjects work together to deliver lessons around a unifying concept. We feel this develops collaboration amongst our staff (who work together to ensure ākonga learning is meaningful, reflects a real world context and the challenges that our ākonga will face once they leave the kura). It encourages our ākonga to work together collaboratively to produce pieces of work and learning. In doing so, ākonga are supported to develop agency over their learning and are encouraged to bring their personal interests into the classroom by integrating their learning and authentic concepts from the real world.

Ensuring that our learning programmes are relevant to our ākonga is important, and as we work to develop key principles that reflect the learning we value at our kura we seek to gather ākonga voice and feedback. Over the next four weeks I am running a series of hui with ākonga around what we believe to be the underpinning concepts of learning at Villa Maria College, and I welcome hearing from your daughters if they would like to have input. We will also be holding some whānau engagement hui later in the term, so please do let me know if you are keen to be part of these groups.

If you are interested in reading more about the curriculum refresh, you may find this link useful https://curriculumrefresh.education.govt.nz/