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Learning for life
Professional learning and development (PLD) is a critical part of practice for all educators. But how do they ensure their ongoing learning has the best impact for ākonga? These personal stories showcase some outstanding PLD experiences that benefit students, educators and whole communities.
Looking through the lens of a child: Reimagining the role of PE
For many of us adults, memories of physical education at school are embarrassing and isolating. Ako profiled teachers being supported to change that through Healthy Active Learning, a joint government initiative enhancing tamariki wellbeing through quality physical activity and healthy food and drink.
Let’s not forget who reo Māori revitalisation is most important to
Kairangahau Matua (Senior Researcher) at NZCER Nicola Bright shares her thoughts on why we need to put Māori first when we're talking about te reo Māori revitalisation.
Every teacher should have the opportunity to develop their own leadership capabilities
What should you be looking for in a formal effective leadership PLD programme? Victoria University of Wellington professor Kate Thornton provides some of the answers.
Summer 2023 Book Reviews
Reviews of eleven new books from Aotearoa for kaiako and ākonga.
Whānau day shows the power of a connected community
It’s not every day a Royal New Zealand Air Force helicopter lands on your school field, and then you get to shoot hoops alongside the local policeman, your teacher, and your mum. That’s exactly what happened for students at Richmond Primary, a small school in the heart of Maraenui, Napier, when a desire for teachers to connect with whānau following the COVID lockdowns, turned into a community-wide celebration.
Ensuring access to te ao Māori
In 2022, 50 years after the Equal Pay Act was passed into law, Kaiārahi i te reo won a pay equity settlement, with an average pay increase of 79 percent. Āwhina Kihi tells us what being a kaiārahi means and why the pay increase is such a big deal.
Removing stigma, empowering kids – hopes for the new Equity Index
From 2023 the decades old decile system will be replaced with the equity index (EQI), with support increasing by $75m per annum. Daryl Aim, the tumuaki at Natone Park School in Waitangirua in east Porirua, spoke to Ako about the impact of the old system and what the new system means for the future.
Teachers of the future
Initial teacher education plays a crucial role in our education system. But is it up to scratch? Ako talks to education professionals who are reimagining how we grow new teachers.
Built in – the future of inclusive education
In the future, inclusive education won’t be bolted on to the system, it will be built in.
Hope and a big dose of reality: teaching climate action
As we begin to see the effects of climate change, with storms, flooding and sea level rise, educators are finding ways to bridge optimism and reality in the classroom.
He hokinga maaramatanga – he hokinga maramataka
He hoa haaere te maanawatia aa Mataariki i te whakanuia te maramataka Maaori. Kei te whai ake aa Ako i ngaa koorero oo te waa mai ngaa kura puta noa i te motu, me ngaa painga oo roto.A return to wisdom – understanding maramataka Maaori
Alongside celebrations of Mataariki there has been a growing interest in the Maaori calendar. Ako finds out how schools around the country are benefitting from following the maramataka.
Pandemic innovations
COVID-19 forced schools and early childhood centres to rethink the way they delivered learning. Ako talks to educators who have found the silver linings and are looking to the future.
Don’t stream away my dreams
What is streaming and is it helping or harming our tamariki? Auckland University professor Christine Rubie-Davies gives her view on the problems with ability grouping in Aotearoa.
Time to learn from each other
As she steps down from her role as Kaihautū Rangahau Chief Researcher at NZCER Cathy Wylie shares some of her wisdom on how we can learn from each other.
Starlight Reserve
A poem by Rangi Faith
Spring 2022: Book reviews
Reviews of thirteen excellent new books for kaiako and ākonga.
Embracing change
As we emerge from one of the hardest winters in recent times, I’m pleased to share this spring edition of Ako, which imagines a brighter future for our tamariki.
The place we stand – connecting to the land in Tāmaki Makaurau
Exploring local history is one way schools can connect to the new Aotearoa New Zealand histories curriculum. Ako caught up with two Auckland schools who are uncovering local history right under their feet.
Nō hea koe? Where are you from?
Many schools and ECE centres already use Aotearoa histories as a powerful tool to engage tamariki in learning. Personal stories of migration are at the heart of it.
Kua tuku iho
Tae atu ki ēnei tau tata nei, he rautaki a te kāwana kia whakawarewaretia āna ake mahi tūkino ki a ngāi Māori. He aha ngā whakaaro o ngā kura Māori e hāngai ana ki te whakaakoranga o ngā kōrero tuku iho me ngā hītori o Niu Tīreni?
Finding their tūrangawaewae
How early childhood centres are weaving past into present to grow tamariki to be confident in their identity and belonging.