Kelvin Road School

Te Whatitoka Rimu o te Whanau Kahurangi

Neroli Nissen - Team Leader - neroli.nissen@krs.ac.nz

Te Whatitoka Rimu o te Whānau Kahurangi consists of three classes within KRS and provides instruction in te Reo Māori.

Papakura has a large Māori community with Kohanga Reo (language nests).  Te Whatitoka Rimu o te Whānau Kahurangi is our response to the need to continue the work began by these language nests, and to fulfill the Treaty of Waitangi goals.

Te Whatitoka Rimu o te Whānau Kahurangi provides the opportunity to children whose parents have chosen to further their knowledge of te Reo Māori in listening, speaking, reading, writing, shaping, and viewing. It also provides whānau with the opportunity to make decisions concerning the future educational path of their tamariki, and to work in partnership with the school.

Te Whatitoka Rimu o te Whānau Kahurangi provides the greatest opportunities to nurture the language by utilising all available resources, in the school and community.  It also enhances the cultural identity, esteem, and educational achievements of ākonga as defined in the Whanaketanga (Maori curriculum documents) within Te Whatitoka Rimu o te Whānau Kahurangi.

1. To provide continuity for children who have had Māori Language learning through Kohanga Reo;

2. To provide a vehicle by which te Reo Māoriand Tikanga Māori have status (mana) in the school.

Guidelines:

1. Te Reo Māori and Tikanga Māori are given priority status;

2. Te Kawa o Tainui is adhered to during pōwhiri and formal events within the whole school, by means of consulting with kaumatua and/or kuia within our local community;

3. The parents and the school should ideally work together to further continue, maintain and vigorously promote a whānau support system;

4. The principles of Kohanga Reo and this school continue to form a basis of teaching methods and approaches used in Te Whatitoka Rimu o te Whānau Kahurangi;

5. Consideration towards new enrollments will be based upon the following criteria:

   1. Tamariki with a minimum of twelve months continuous te Kohanga Reo attendance who live within the traditional boundaries of Kelvin Road School.

   2. Tamariki who attend te Kohanga Reo but live outside the traditional boundaries of Kelvin Road School.

   3. Tamariki transferred from an equivalent Māori Immersion.

   4. Younger siblings of previous students who have been through Te Whatitoka Rimu o te Whānau Kahurangi.

   5. At the discretion of the Principal, Senior Management, Team Leader, and Board, with kaiako facilitating the level of te Reo the child is comfortable with (this takes place outside of school hours).

6. The classes will participate in school activities and are part of a specialised teaching team;

7. The classes will operate generally from:

   1. New Entrant to Year 6 – Rumaki Reo (total immersion)

   2. Year 7 and 8 – Bilingual (invitation)
      
      

To work effectively as a team, kaiako and kaiawhina collectively are to be kept fully informed as to events happening within Te Whatitoka Rimu o te Whānau Kahurangi and school through regular team meetings and whānau hui.

The educational opportunity for all pupils is enhanced and made more meaningful. Learning the language and culture will provide a foundation and pathway for their future educational achievement.