All Articles
Crochet and jam, PPE and showers: living with an essential worker during the lockdown
A mother-daughter pair of NZEI Te Riu Roa members talk about what it’s been like in lockdown – with one of them being an essential worker and the other high-risk.
Computer-savvy in Kawerau
AKO talks to Ripeka Lessels, tumuaki of Te Whata Tau o Putauaki in Kawerau, about how the kura was well prepared for online learning and teaching.
Teaching online for Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Tuia te Matangi
AKO talks to Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Tuia te Matangi at Whakatū about how they readied their students for online learning.
Living with anxiety, Covid-19 and the new school term
Dr Mark Cross, an Australian psychiatrist specialising in anxiety disorders, shares his experience and advice for New Zealand teachers as the new Term 2 looms. His new book is "Anxiety: Expert Advice from a Neurotic Shrink Who's Lived with Anxiety All His Life".
This too shall pass: gratitude and mindfulness for teachers, by a teacher
Renu Sikka, a primary school teacher and member of NZEI Te Riu Roa, reflects on what the lockdown can mean for her colleagues around the country and how mindfulness can play a role in getting through.
“Have they got enough kai? Are they okay?”
AKO talks to Evelyn Henare, tumuaki of Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Rawhiti Roa in Tikipunga, Whangārei.
Schools confronting the digital divide
AKO talks to two school principals about how they're addressing the inequities of access to technology and internet as they prepare for online teaching.
Q&A with Stephanie Smith of Healthkids Kindergarten
Located in the grounds of Nelson Hospital, Healthkids Kindergarten has many families that are essential workers. AKO talked to head teacher Stephanie Smith about how the kindergarten has been supporting families during the lockdown.
Q&A with Jacinta McInerney of Karanga Mai Early Learning Centre
Karanga Mai Early Learning Centre in Kaiapoi, north of Christchurch, is located on the grounds of Kaiapoi High School. A suspected case at the high school meant they had to go into lockdown two days before the rest of the country. Tumuaki of the centre, Jacinta McInerney, talks to Sara Shirazi about how they’re supporting the specific needs of their community.
Challenges and initiatives
NZEI Te Riu Roa is committed to ensuring every one of our members is heard and supported during the Covid-19 pandemic, using all the expertise, resources and channels we have available.
“One day at a time”: the lockdown according to children
In these unprecedented times, AKO asked New Zealand children to share their thoughts about the first few days of the Covid-19 lockdown.
Talking the talk
Oral language learning in early childhood is critical to success in later life. But how well do we do it in New Zealand?
A taniwha in the pipes: encouraging creative writing
Strong written language skills not only help students to cement and present their learning – some teachers are using creative writing to strengthen children’s sense of identity and build resilience.
“A space where children can be Samoan”
A leai se gagana, ua leai se aganuu … A leai se aganuu ua po le nu‘u. When you lose your language you lose your culture, and when there is no longer a living culture, darkness descends on the village. – Samoan proverb
Jumping into Māori immersion learning
Over the past 30 years, the demand for Māori immersion learning has increased, being a pivotal way to strengthen te reo Māori. What effect do immersion units have on mainstream schools and their communities?
Sign language and support systems
The landscape of Deaf education in New Zealand has changed a lot over the last 20 years. We look at the options now available to deaf children who are starting primary school.
To literacy and beyond
School librarians talk about how they serve the varied needs of their communities.
Love reading aloud? Love writing!
Every year I read my class the same book – Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume. Why? One of my favourite memories from primary school was hearing it read by my Year 3 teacher.
Compulsory te reo in schools – what does it look like? / Ko te whakapūmau i te reo ki te kura – ka pēhea hoki?
Ah, compulsory te reo Māori in mainstream schools. It’s a grazing table for politician-elects and a fear-inducing topic for overworked teachers. It’s been on the cards since 1972, when 33,000 people signed a petition approaching Government on the topic, but so far, it’s been a fruit too high to harvest.
O Taumafa Manogi ma Aogā mo le Fanau / Nourishment for the next generation
O a ia Taumafa? O Taumafa Manogi, ua fa‘atusaina lea i le fa‘aaogaina o le Gagana e fafaga ai tama a Samoa e Faatonu, Fa‘asino, Faapoto ma Fesoota‘i ai. E leitioa fo‘i le Fa‘autaga ma le ‘au fai Tofā a fa‘apea mai: “O fānau a tagata e fafaga i ‘upu ma tala ‘ae ‘o tama a manu o fuga o lā‘au.”
Reflections of a president
When asked to share some reflections on my three years as NZEI Te Riu Roa President, I was prompted to think back to the very beginning of this journey.Asking the big questions
It is great to have the opportunity to contribute to Ako. I am really pleased that this issue is focussed on language, as it is top of mind for me.
To literacy and beyond: Te Totara School
Michelle Simms, the librarian at Te Totara Primary School, talks about some of the ways she supports literacy at the school.