Kaitiaki theme for Xmas parade float

I was in charge of the Xmas parade float for 2018. I decided to link it to our environment theme of Kaitiaki of our river. We brainstormed with the teachers ways that the tamariki could display their learning on the float. The children used visual arts to design paddles, they created slogans on the float. Children used music and they chose the Tiki Taane song "No place like home" to learn and sing while on the float. Some children also decorated their faces with Maori designs as they were kaitiaki of the river. 

Attending Poukai at Te Awamarahi Marae

I attended the Poukai in 2017, 2018 and are planning a visit in 2019. I was very nervous at my first attendance and I attended with a group of students from Whare Manaaki.
It was so important for me to become more familiar with Tainui Tikanga and understand the way the marae acknowledge those that have passed in the last year. It is also really important for building professional relationships with local iwi.

Leadership Professional Learning:

The Educational Leadership Capability Framework was new out in October 2018. I used this framework to reflect on my leadership at Principal in 2018.
Building and Sustaining high trust relationships: This was one of the areas that I focused on the most as I believe this is the most important criteria that is needed when you are the Principal. One of the most disappointing things about missing out on the Principal role for 2019 at Tuakau School was that the BOT had not valued those high trust relationships that had been build between myself and the students, staff, whaanau and community. Another criteria in this new framework was Strategically thinking and planning. In 2018 I created a new strategic planning document with the BOT and this strategic plan streamlined the goals for Tuakau School down to 3 main ones.
Another interesting criteria in this framework is "Attending to their own learning as leaders and their own well being" I think its interesting to include attend to well being. This is an ongoing goal for myself to prioritize my own personal well being. I have definitely attended to my own learning as leaders through Mindlab, PLD from Training services (ENROL, Novopay, ASA) and also I was involved in the First Time Principals course from July 2018.
I also have unpacked Tuu Rangatira and this is linked in the Education Council Educational Leadership Capability Framework. Even though Tuu Rangatira was written for Maori Medium settings. It has so much to offer Leadership in mainstream schools. I find the document really easy to explain the different roles you have as a Principal. (He Kaimahi- The worker, He kaiako- The teacher and learner, He kanohi mataara-The visionary, He kaiarataki- The advocate, He Kaitiaki- The guardian, He Kaikootuitui- The networker,  and Hekaiwhakarite-The manager)

Maori Language Verification Visit

On 26th October Tuakau School had a Maori Language Verification visit. This visit was to see Whare Manaaki and observe the language programme. I also spent an hour talking to David Goldsmith about Maori Language at Tuakau School. We had a fabulous visit and they supported our belief we are ready to move to Level 2 in 2019. 

Appraisal report by Barbara Duckworth

Deputy Principal Appraisal document

Whanau Engagement Teacher Inquiry

 Assignment 2: Research and Community Informed Practice:

Click here for a Google Slides Presentation on my Inquiry

This was a teacher inquiry plan: Using the Spiral of Inquiry model.

Wananga o Te Raukawa

While doing the Te Reo couse, we were encoured to do the online Certificate in Te Reo.
I signed up. It was a 20 week course ending in December. Once I signed up I was a bit concerned as it turned out to be a level 4 paper and said it would be 12 hours per week. I totally freaked out but decided to try it anyway.

Actually I really enjoyed doing the night class and the online certificate at the same time.At the face to face class I could practice speaking the reo, that I had learnt on the course. I learnt so much kupu from the course and learnt so many phrases and language structure from the certificate.

An area I find the hardest is the maori pronouns. I am working on this. Also the confidence to use it.

It has been great doing both courses with Nicky and Rebecca so there is other people at school to practise speaking with.

Te Reo Class Wednesdays 6-8pm

An area I have wanting to improve is my Te Reo. We have such a supportive environment to learn Te Reo. We have a culture of correct pronounciation and we have had classes offered through Huakina Trust offering Te reo classes Wednesdays 6-8pm.
I started these classes in July. It was a level 2 course.

Setting up labels for the STANDARDS FOR THE TEACHING PROFESSION

Te Tiriti o Waitangi partnership
2. Professional Learning 3. Professional Relationships 4. Learning-focused Culture 5. Design for Learning 6. Teaching