MARAEROA SCHOOL
OUR LOCAL CURRICULUMHow we approach teaching and learning at Maraeroa School
How we teach
A Word
About Learning at Maraeroa
Our school curriculum has its foundations in our school values (CREEK), development of our school vision – Voice Agency and Identity (VAI), key competencies and capabilities and the New Zealand Curriculum.
We approach teaching and learning through developing communities of inquiry. These communities may be as diverse as our local, place-based neighbourhoods, between schools, between classrooms, to small class groups.
We acknowledge the history and mana whenua of our place and incorporate te ao Maori throughout the curriculum.
Our teaching and learning is strengths-based, starting from the rich knowledge, experiences and cultures our tamariki bring to school with them. We work to provide equitable, fun, engaging learning experiences across the school. Curriculum tasks are often open-ended or student-led, offering a high degree of challenge for all learners.
Our Graduate Profile
Making meaning in discipline-specific ways (Communication Mana reo / Exploration Mana aotūroa)
Ākonga in these years increasingly use their oral, reading, writing and mathematics knowledge and skills to support their learning in other learning areas. At the same time, they continue to expand their knowledge and skills. They use a wide range of discipline-specific language and simple discipline-related conventions. They make thoughtful observations in reflective conversations using different disciplines as frames of reference. They use and personalise a range of tools to shape meaning and share their learning, identity, culture and ideas.
Critical inquiry (Exploration Mana aotūroa)
Ākonga ask focused questions, review material to make sense of it, and offer explanations
about things in order to solve problems. By asking and exploring questions about how the world works, they continue to expand their library of experiences in learning areas, including some in less familiar contexts.
Some of these experiences necessitate deeper exploration, and this supports ākonga to develop an emergent but explicit knowledge of what each curriculum learning area is about.
Perspective taking (Belonging Mana whenua / Contribution Mana tangata)
A growing awareness of who they are and what matters to them supports ākonga to build
similar awareness of te ao Maori and different cultural practices and perspectives. ‘Cultures’
include different discipline areas, as well as other social cultures and bodies of knowledge. They choose modes of communication that convey their ideas to different audiences. They work with others to improve their ideas, building on others’ ideas, and changing their views when appropriate, persevering through challenge.
Taking action (Exploration Mana aotūroa / Contribution Mana tangata)
Ākonga take action to promote their own well-being and that of others, and of the planet. Their critical inquiries may be set in the context of real issues of importance to them and their communities. Through their learning experiences they are beginning to gain a sense of ways that people can make positive differences that benefit them and others.
They take part in a range of activities that draw on and continue to strengthen their learning across the curriculum. They will have opportunities to express their understandings in ways that are relevant to them.
Ākonga take risks by stretching their learning into new and unfamiliar areas, accepting that making mistakes is part of learning. They pursue self-selected learning goals and participate in longer-term projects where they share and apply their learning with others, ako.
Values
Our school are CREEK kids. This incorporates our school-wide values: curiosity, reciprocity, energy, excellence and kotahitanga. The values weave through the key competencies to create a whāriki or korowai that wraps around each student; making them confident, competent, critical learners.
We are a Positive Behaviour for Learning school. We focus on positive behaviours for learning, relationships and self-belief or identity.
vision
Our school are CREEK kids. This incorporates our school-wide values: curiosity, reciprocity, energy, excellence and kotahitanga. The values weave through the key competencies to create a whāriki or korowai that wraps around each student; making them confident, competent, critical learners.
We are a Positive Behaviour for Learning school. We focus on positive behaviours for learning, relationships and self-belief or identity.
strategic goals
Our school vision is that students at Maraeroa be active learners, confident in what they can do and what they can be. They will be resilient, strong in their own culture and respectful of others.
Our commitment to our students is to:
- Provide a safe, respectful environment
- Support them to participate fully and to challenge themselves
- Celebrate success and achievements
- Make learning purposeful and relevant
- Create a strong foundation in literacy and numeracy
Values, Curriculum capabilities and Key Competencies
Through inquiry students develop the key competencies of thinking; relating to others; using language, symbols, and texts; managing self; and participating and contributing. These competencies are the basis for learning across all curriculum ‘subject’ areas.