Year 9 Social Class Local Art Walking Tour

Making connections with our local community is important to build my students’ knowledge of what is important and who it is important too.  Many of my kids live in Glen Innes and walk or drive through the town centre but have never noticed the art work on the walls.  My year 9 Social Studies class were fortunate enough to be led on a walking art tour around the town centre to hear about who designed and created the art work and the reasons behind them.  Here is a short video of the tour. 

The kids asked lots of good questions and were positive about the experience.  They were given an opportunity to reflect and think about what that saw and what they did not see and how they felt about it.  From the students’ feedback, we are going to think about how to incorporate their thinking into action.  

Leading Staff PLD: Navigating the Tapasā using the Kalaka Research Framework

As our school Professional Development Co-ordinator, I have the privilege of organising relevant PLD experiences related to our strategic goals.  At the start of our Tamaki Tongan Language week, it seemed only fitting that our Pasifika PLD team presented to staff a relevant programme on raising Pasifika Achievement.  Our School Goal Number# 2 is focused on understanding and demonstrating the cultural competencies of the Tapasā in raising Pasifika Achievement.  

Mele Suipi-Latu began by exploring a poem by Professor Konai Helu Thaman a well-known Pacific academic and explored the way the Kahoa, a Tongan flower garland, was intricately designed and put together for a specific purpose.   We explored the 3 stages of making a Kahoa and the distinct parallels educators can find in the process.  The details can be found in the presentation below.  A highlights video has also been created to share the experience.  The feedback from staff was really positive and we look forward to continuing the Tapasā journey.