Each term we take the time to connect with Māori and Pasifika whanau. We all have obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi an we need to ensure that all of our children are included and are having their needs addressed as best as we can.
The kai is always delicious.
We had so much fun singing and playing games together. It is a chance for whanau to connect with others and to share their hopes and dreams for their tamariki.
I am so mindful of how much time our kaiako and kaiawhina freely give to after hours events at school. It did feel like we hadn't left last night by the time we cleaned up and came back to school for an 8am meeting. It was lovely last night when we had a quick debrief and everyone spontaneously applauded each other.
We had a staff meeting before the fono/hui and we did some more learning around te reo Māori and Pasifika languages and tikanga. Some of the teachers shared their experiences of being Māori or Pasifika in their school years and even as teachers. I was genuinely shocked at how recent, and prevalent some of the racist attitudes are being expressed. One teacher said that even now, people she meets, find it hard to believe that she is a real teacher, actually teaching children, because she is Māori. Another young Māori teacher said that her school found her name too hard to pronounce so they ignored it. We have a long way to go in terms of equity and equality.
We are always looking for ways to improve what we teach and how we teach it so that all of our tamariki feel loved and accepted for who they are. This is so much about partnership and working alongside all of our whanau.
Oh man, this looks like so much fun, wish I could have been there! next time.
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