Darfield School Curriculum 2011 Contents

Te Reo Mäori and New Zealand Sign Language, (NZSL) are official languages of New Zealand. Due to the close relationships with the people of the Pacific, Pasifika languages have a special place.

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  Learning a new language provides a means of communicating with people from other cultures and exploring one’s own world.
  
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  Languages are inseparably linked to social and cultural contexts.
  
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  Te Reo Mäori and Tikanga Mäori are inseparable and unique in our nation’s heritage.
  
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  All New Zealand children should have the opportunity to learn about the Mäori and Pacific languages and cultures.
  
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  Inclusion of Te Reo Mäori me ona Tikanga in the school programme is a mandatory requirement as outlined in the National Education Guidelines.
  
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  All children should have the opportunity to use and read the New Zealand Sign Language.
  
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  Our school has a responsibility to help prepare children in a multi cultural society.
  

Through our teaching and learning programme most children will be able to:

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  Develop a growing knowledge and understanding of Mäori Language, Maori Tikanga, stories, myths and legends and to encourage the children to further their knowledge.
  
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  Demonstrate an open-mindedness towards, and an appreciation of our New Zealand heritage and culture.
  
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  Gain a basic understanding of grammatical structure and pronunciation to enable them to communicate in other languages.
  
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  Learn about Tikanga Maori including values, and participate in activities which include music and art and crafts within the classroom.
  
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  Develop a growing knowledge and understanding of New Zealand Sign Language.
  

Expectations for Teaching:

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  Develop a school wide language programme.
  
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  Plan to develop communication, language knowledge and cultural knowledge.
  
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  Integrate Maori perspectives in planning where possible
  
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  Take opportunities to undertake professional development to improve their knowledge and skills.
  
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  Strengthens relationships with our Maori community which includes consultation on a regular basis.
  
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  Seek expert assistance from members of the community to improve our learning programme.
  

How will we know when we have achieved it:

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  There will be a growing involvement in the school by parents of Maori children and children from other cultures.
  
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  Teachers will show an increasing confidence to include Taha Maori in their classroom programmes.
  
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  There will be a visible increase in Maori aspects within the school e.g protocol, marae visits, Kapa Haka and use of te reo Maori.
  
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  There will be a positive attitudinal change on the part of parents, staff and pupils towards the inclusion of Taha Maori in the school-wide programme.
  
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  Children will demonstrate increasing knowledge and understanding of Maori language, history, customs, beliefs, myths and legends.
  
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  Teachers show a willingness to include Taha Maori in their professional development opportunities.
  
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  When regular consultation is taking place between the school and the parents of Maori children and children from other cultures.
  
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  Effective resources are being purchased and used regularly.
  
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  When the support of a staff member with expertise in languages is being used on a regular basis or the school is accessing the help of an RTM or Maori Adviser.
  

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  This programme will be reviewed as part of the school’s triennial review programme.
  
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  The review will be led by the Learning Languages focus team.
  
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  All classroom teachers, Board members and parents will be consulted as part of the review process.
  
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  A report on the outcome of the review will be provided to the Board and the community.
  

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  Should involve collecting information about children’s achievement in relation to learning outcomes for each unit.
  
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  Can be formative-providing children with feedback about their learning during the learning task
  
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  Can be summative-providing information at the end of the unit on how well a student has achieved the learning outcomes.
  

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  The school will budget each year to include spending on resources for the Maori programme as well as other languages.
  
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  Resources will be accessible to all teachers and regularly reviewed.
  
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  Human resources will be utilised as required and may include:
  
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    R.T. Maori
    
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    Maori adviser
    
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    Maori families
    
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    Local iwi members
    
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    Community members with expertise
    

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  The Learning Languages programme will incorporate the following Key Competencies:
  

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  Using language, symbols and texts
  
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  Participating and contributing
  
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  Thinking
  
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  Relating to others
  
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  Managing self
  

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  Throughout the Learning Languages Programme, students will be exploring of the values of excellence, innovation, inquiry and curiosity, diversity, equity, community and participation, ecological sustainability and integrity.