All Articles
Reflecting on ECE professionalism post Covid-19 and Budget 2020
Dr Carmen Dalli reflects on the positives for the early childhood sector as we head toward the end of Level 2.
Counting the friendly frogs: welcoming children back to early learning centres
Parents experienced a mix of emotions when their children returned to schools and centres at the end of Alert Level 3. Two kindergartens share their stories of transition with AKO.
Q&A with Mark Jensen, drama teacher at Northcross Intermediate
Mark Jensen, the drama teacher at Northcross Intermediate School in Auckland, talks about how performing arts activities have been used by staff across the school as a positive way to reconnect with their thousand-plus students in the first days of reopening at Level 2.
“Another way of doing it”: being a beginning teacher during Covid-19
The disruption caused by Covid-19 has been particularly felt by hundreds of beginning teachers. Barely settled into their classrooms, they have suddenly found themselves having to work in a different way. Ako spoke with three new teachers about meeting the challenge.
In the deep end: new principals leading through a pandemic
The Covid-19 crisis has tested everyone involved in our education system. But for scores of new principals, the challenge has been particularly fraught. AKO talks with three beginning principals in the Auckland region about how they have managed through a crisis, while still coming to terms with their new role.
Tuakana, teina, whānau: lockdown learnings in Kawerau
AKO catches up again with Ripeka Lessels, tumuaki of Te Whata Tau o Pūtauaki in Kawerau, as she reflects on how her students and their whānau have got on during the lockdown, and what everyone has learnt.
Q & A with Liam Rutherford
AKO chats with Liam Rutherford, NZEI Te Riu Roa president, about what it's been like for him working from home, how he's looked after his own wellbeing and what he sees the future holding for our members.
Inequities run deep: supporting our school communities
Recently, AKO spoke with two school principals about their efforts to bridge the digital divide in the lockdown. We caught up with them again to find out how their schools are managing the transition to Level 3 and beyond. They reminded us that behind the digital divide is a greater inequity.
Q & A with teacher aide Linda Jordan
AKO chats with Linda Jordan, a teacher aide and team leader at James Cook High School in Manurewa, about the challenges of lockdown and technology and the profound importance of being supportive and understanding.
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