Ministry of Education New Zealand

In Southland, the pūrākau of the creation of Te Ara-a-Kiwa (Foveaux Strait) is inspiring rich learning opportunities for students at Gorge Road School. Using a locally written pūrākau, Gorge Road ākonga are demonstrating how traditional legends are a springboard to diverse and enriching learning opportunities. Last year Te Rūnaka o Awarua, a Ngāi Tahu tribal council centred around the marae at Awarua, published Te Ara-a-Kiwa, a traditional pūrākau about the creation of Foveaux Strait. The book is the bilingual story of Kiwa, a guardian of the ocean who grew tired of crossing the strip of land that once joined Murihiku and Rakiura. Kaiako from Gorge Road School embraced the pūrākau, bringing it to life in their curriculum. “Our tamariki love stories,” says kaiako Sheree Keenan.“In our teaching and learning of this pūrākau, we gained so much. We learned about mahinga kai through Ngāi Tahu videos, which were hugely valuable. Tamariki recognised the places mentioned and could connect with the people who featured." The school plans to focus next on another pūrākau, The Battle of the Birds, a re-telling of Te Pakanga Manu by Bubba Thompson and Charisma Rangipuna. "Our ākonga Māori feel a sense of pride when we use pūrākau as a base for learning."

TE WIKI O TE REO MĀORI ❤️ This week is the 52nd anniversary of the presentation of Te Petihana Reo Māori | The Māori Language Petition to Parliament! The petition was signed by more than 30,000 people and was presented on 14 September 1972 by a group of te reo Māori champions. They called for the active support and teaching of te reo Māori in all schools in Aotearoa, as a gift to “promote a more meaningful concept of integration." In honour of Te Petihana Reo Māori, the 14 September was known as Māori Language Day until 1975, when it became Te Wiki o te Reo Māori | Māori Language Week. Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori is still celebrated every year in September to honour Te Petihana Reo Māori and the advocates whose aim was to ensure te reo would be passed on to future generations.

Kia ora e te iwi 👋 Hei āpōpō ka timata Te Wiki o te Reo Māori 2024 | Tomorrow marks the start of Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori 2024! Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori is a week-long celebration. The theme for this year is ‘Ake Ake Ake - A Forever Language’. Ake ake ake means ‘forever and ever’ or ‘everlasting”. It represents the resilience, adaptability and endurance of the language, and the commitment of communities around Aotearoa for te reo Māori. We'd love to hear what different education settings (from early learning to tertiary) across the motu are doing to support Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori this year. Leave us a comment or feel free to tag us in your posts so we can celebrate your community's great mahi!

Today our Riverhead Primary School construction site received their MATES accreditation, making them the 20th school construction site in Aotearoa New Zealand receiving this status. Receiving the ‘MATES Accredited’ status means that at least 80% of the workers have completed the MATES General Awareness Training. It also means that there are enough people on site who are properly trained to assist – or even just connect workers to the right services that can assist – individuals who need mental health support. The Ministry has renewed its partnership with MATES in Construction NZ, an organisation with one simple but hugely ambitious aim – to reduce the number of lives lost to suicide in the construction industry. As one of the Government agencies that work closely with the construction sector, we have built this relationship to do our part in response to this concerning issue that affect our partners in building safe and fit-for-purpose classrooms for our rangatahi. Thanks to Watts & Hughes Construction for their mahi on this!

CLOSING SOON 📆 Applications for our learning support study awards are closing on 13 September. These awards are an opportunity for teachers in early learning services and schools to undertake specialist qualification programmes. They are designed to help kaiako be better able to support students with additional needs, and include: ➡️ Blind and Low Vision Study Award: https://bit.ly/4f46Krj ➡️ Complex Educational Needs Study Award: https://bit.ly/47X40IE ➡️ Deaf and Hard of Hearing Study Award: https://bit.ly/4d6EUsQ ➡️ Gifted Study Award: https://bit.ly/3EgcH3h ➡️ Early Intervention Study Award: https://bit.ly/3qP3ZG3 ➡️ Resource Teachers - Learning and Behaviour (RTLB) Study Award: https://bit.ly/3Sfmn5E ➡️ Advisers on Deaf Children Study Award: https://bit.ly/3SejLET For all the information on eligibility and how to apply, head to our website or the links above: https://bit.ly/2Ovu5qO

"The art classroom has become a sanctuary where I can freely express myself and navigate my personal journey as a New Zealand born Tongan. It gives me a sense of belonging, allowing me to reconnect with my heritage and embrace the complexities of my cultural identity in a supportive environment. Through this creative process, I feel connected to my roots and more confident in celebrating who I am." - Albert Siasau (Holonga Tongatapu, Fungnamisi Vava'u), a Year 13 student from Liston College speaking about his Level 3 Sculpture project. Happy Uike Kātoanga’i ‘o e lea Faka-Tonga | Tonga Language Week to you all!

’Akararangi’anga | Congratulations to our 2024 Kupe Scholars! 🎉 We are proud to honour 30 exceptional Māori and Pacific student teachers who have earned the prestigious Kupe Scholarships for their outstanding academic achievement and leadership potential. See the full list of 2024 Kupe Scholars 👉 https://bit.ly/3AaJg3U

Props to our Procurement team for this great honour that recognises the work that we’re doing in the supplier diversity space!   We've been working to make our contracts more accessible to minority-owned New Zealand businesses. This award is a great acknowledgement that our efforts towards this goal are making a difference.

APPLY TODAY ✍️ Applications are now open for the learning support study awards. These are an opportunity for teachers in early learning services and schools to undertake specialist qualification programmes. They are designed to help kaiako be better able to support students and tamariki with additional needs. THE AWARDS ➡️ Blind and Low Vision Study Award: https://bit.ly/4f46Krj ➡️ Complex Educational Needs Study Award: https://bit.ly/47X40IE ➡️ Deaf and Hard of Hearing Study Award: https://bit.ly/4d6EUsQ ➡️ Gifted Study Award: https://bit.ly/3EgcH3h ➡️ Early Intervention Study Award: https://bit.ly/3qP3ZG3 ➡️ Resource Teachers - Learning and Behaviour (RTLB) Study Award: https://bit.ly/3Sfmn5E ➡️ Advisers on Deaf Children Study Award: https://bit.ly/3SejLET For all the information on eligibility and how to apply, head to our website or the links above: https://bit.ly/2Ovu5qO Applications close 13 September.

Matiere School, a small rural primary school in a picturesque valley in Manawatū-Whanganui, was in need of a major upgrade. The Ministry replaced the old school building with a brand new one incorporating classrooms, a library, reception area, admin office, staff room, and principal's office ... and the school's very first playground, and courts! The opening ceremony was held during Matariki and was attended by a thrilled tumuaki, staff and community members, who saw tamariki perform waiata and heard them squealing with delight as their new playground was unveiled. The rebuild also included a new caretaker’s shed and fencing for the school pool, which is now able to be used by the whole Matiere community, along with the new playing courts. Thank you to everyone who played a part in this beautiful mahi.