Covid-19 202027 Mar 2020
“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.
Features
Summer 202021 Feb 2020
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?
Summer 202021 Feb 2020
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.
Summer 202021 Feb 2020
“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
Summer 202021 Feb 2020
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?
Summer 202021 Feb 2020
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.
Summer 202021 Feb 2020
To literacy and beyond
School librarians talk about how they serve the varied needs of their communities.
Winter 201920 Nov 2019
Empowering students to build community
In a school with dozens of cultures and languages, equipping and empowering students to coach, guide and befriend their ESOL peers has huge benefits for all involved.
At Christchurch’s Ilam School, 12 children in Year 6 are appointed as Cultural Leaders.
Winter 20198 Nov 2019
Kapa haka student leaders
Two student leaders of kapa haka at Kapanui School, Waikanae explain why they like it.
Winter 201918 Oct 2019
Teaching in a community new to you
A new teacher gives some advice to others starting work in a new community.
Winter 201930 Sep 2019
Teaching – and reaching – online from Ohura
From her tiny school on the appropriately named Forgotten Highway, Anna Fourie teaches students across the country, using the internet.
Winter 201910 Sep 2019
The community of kapa haka
For nearly a decade, Kapapapanui School in Waikanae has been using kapa haka as a way of building community in and around the school – and the benefits have been extraordinary for both Māori and non-Māori students.
Winter 201910 Aug 2019
Virtually connected
More than a quarter of New Zealand schools have fewer than 100 students. How can their students gain meaningful connections with the wider world and overcome their isolation?
Winter 201926 Jul 2019
Strengthening, growing and reaching out
The interplay between a school and its community is complex and rich with potential – for personal connection, professional support and building capability. A range of schools throughout the country illustrate the myriad ways – and reasons why – school communities come together.
Winter 201925 Jul 2019
People power
School principals from around the country explain how strong communities of staff bring crucial benefits for children and whānau, from South Auckland to Southland.
Winter 201925 Jul 2019
Building bridges: from community to ECE to primary
The importance of whānau and community doesn’t lessen just because a child starts school, but it can be hard for educators to maintain these strong connections once a child leaves early childhood education. Jane Blaikie and Jane Arthur talk to educators across the country about the challenges they face when trying to build bridges between the child and their community.
Summer 201928 Jan 2019
Students owning success
Student agency is changing the way children learn – enhancing local curricula and parent and student voice. It has particular relevance to individualising learning for children with additional needs.
Summer 201928 Jan 2019
Fully integrated
One of the most important things for children with additional needs to be able to access the curricula and to thrive at school is having huge support behind them. That includes from the school and whānau communities and from school leaders, support staff, teachers and itinerant staff.
Summer 201928 Jan 2019
Let the uniqueness of the child guide us in our mahi
Kura in the Manawatū and Horowhenua are shining examples of inclusivity, in a context of some hope that more resources are coming to support culturally competent practices everywhere.
Summer 201928 Jan 2019
Education for all
Robert Martin has become the public face of why a human rights take on inclusive education is needed. Born with a brain injury that made his early life difficult, he now travels the world asking hard questions of governments about their efforts to comply with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities.