Week 10 Term 3 - Te wiki o Te Reo Maori Language Week 2023: Linking to my Teacher Inquiry + New Learning (September 18 - September 22)

Te Wiki o Te Reo Maori Language Week 2023

Teacher Inquiry 2023: Improving reading and writing engagement with my Year 9 students through creating mixed ability groups within my Year 9 class.

In Week 9 Term 3, we celebrate Te Wiki o Te Reo Maori Language Week. The theme for this year's language week is 'Kia Kaha Te Reo Maori' which translates to 'making the language stronger'. We all have the ability to strengthen the language - whether we are experts or not. What we do know and how we use it, can help to revitalize and keep the language alive and strong. For this year's Te Reo Maori Language Week celebration, I wanted to focus on the beautiful Maori item - korowai. I created this unit of work for my Year 9 class in 2022 and reflected on the learning my blog (see Alby's Blog Post Entry - 18/09/22) 

This year, I have taken the Korowai unit that I loosley put together in 2022 and I created something that was both culturally responsive and something that spoke to my akonga. Although I am Samoan, I appreciate the language and I wanted to explore an aspect of the culture that resonates with me - Korowai. The inspiration behind the Korowai unit is connected to the learning from Te Wiki o Te Reo Maori Language Week 2022 which I have referenced and reflected on in the blog entry that I have linked in above. I want to share the new unit and reflect on how it is going. 

KOROWAI: “The Korowai is a traditional woven Maori cloak. The Korowai is worn as mantle of prestige and honour. The name Korowai is symbolic of leadership, and includes the obligation to care for the people and environment.” (www.learningadventures.co.nz) 

Korowai: Who I Am

Click on the image to create your own pepeha

Understanding, reflecting and expressing your identity helps to strengthen your roots (what you are grounded in, rooted in). Before the students created their Korowai, we spent time exploring Pepeha, what it means for Maori, what it means for me and what it means for them in their journey. It is a traditional way of introducing yourself in Te Reo Maori. It is also a beautiful way to acknowledge and celebrate your whakapapa, your lineage, your history and your environment. All things that help to make you, you. I found this awesome and easy to use pepeha site and I used it to create my own - showing my class each step and how to complete it. 

Student exemplar: pepeha 

The students went away and created their own pepeha. I had to guide them through the appropriate maunga and awa that is linked to their area which required a little navigating through Google maps! This was an interesting and fun activity because the students were able to learn about their area. For the non-Maori students, they were able to learn about their mountain and river. I was particularly impressed with students who already knew their pepeha and they were excited to share this. 

Student exemplar: Who I am snapshot

Once the students completed their pepeha they worked on a section I created called 'Who I Am Snapshot' - this is where they reflect on and write about things that are important to them. This is a space for them to reflect and think about their family, values etc and ultimately they will use it to help them design their Korowai. 

Korowai: Making their Korowai

The Pepeha and Who I Am section of the unit is important because it helps to settle the students creatively. It helps to give them the space to reflect on what is important in their lives and what they 'carry' and who they 'carry' in their hearts. I encourage them to use their snapshot as a springboard to help them design and craft their Korowai. Most of the students have used the feathers to frame their korowai. Others are using photos of their families in their korowai. Here are some examples of the student's making their Korowai. 

Korowai: Writing + Sharing about their Korowai

The next part of the unit will call on the students to reflect on what they have created. They will write an explanation on their korowai (see the writing frame below) and they will include their pepeha into their written explanation. The final part requires the students to record themselves presenting their korowai and explaining what it represents and what it means to them (they can use their written explanation as part of their presentation). Some of my akonga have finished making their korowai and they are currently working on their written explanation. Please see the writing framework below. 

Writing about your Korowai (framework)

Matauranga: (noun) knowledge, wisdom, understanding, skill. New learning from Te Wiki o Te Reo Maori Language Week 2023. 

Hone-Haunui Rapana @ Tamaki College

Tamaki College @ Te Wiki o Te Reo Maori Language Week 2023

We had an awesome PLD session on Monday September 11 (led by Hone-Haunui Rapana). One of the beautiful parts of the session that I connected with was the Principles of Karakia. I loved how he broke down karakia, why it is important and how it should be a meaningful practice - something bigger than lip service. He explained that 'kara' translates to 'call' and 'karakia' translates to 'call to prayer or call to worship'. 

Here my takeaways from the principles of karakia: 

• Mauri - (essence). Karakia needs to be deep and meaningful. The mauri of karakia is meaningful and powerful when it can move and shift the room and the people in it. 
• Tapu - (sacredness). Karakia has to allow people to understand what they are doing, who they are doing it for and why. 
• Whainga - (intention). You do not want your space in karakia to be mixed because you will get mixed emotions and mixed reactions. You need the intent to be clear so that you can transition those listening and praying throughout the karakia. It has to have to intention and it needs to mean something. 

I also really enjoyed learning about the closing line of the karakia and what it means. 

• Haumi e - all the things in the middle. 
• Hui e - meeting in the middle. 
• Taiki e - pushing it forward together. 

This was a highlight for me because prayer (the language of prayer) is something that I practice and value both in my professional and personal life. I loved learning about the prinicples of karakia and I was inspired to implement this when I do karakia in class and in my whanau group. I appreciated learning about karakia and what it means in this context. This has giving me a different lens when I do karakia here at school and it has also affirmed how I use my own prayer time in my personal life. 

Week 9 Term 3 - Tongan Language Week 2023 (September 11 - September 15)

Tongan Language Week 2023 - Tamaki College

The theme for Tongan Language 2023 is "E tu'uloa 'a e Lea faka-Tongá 'o ka lea'aki 'i 'api, siasí (lotú), mo e nofo-'a-kāingá; which means the Tongan Language will be sustainable if used at home, church and in the wider community." (www.parliament.nz). What I have learnt about my own language journey with Gagana Samoa, is that the language is in the way we communicate, talk and in how we relate. One of the key takeaways for me with Tongan Language Week was through a PLD session that we had. The focus of the PLD session was on 'Vā - Tauhi Vā' looking at relationships and the keeping of relationships through a Tongan lens. 

Vā

Relational space

'Vā - Tauhi Vā' connects to the Tapasā document. In particular Tapasā Turu 2: Collaborative and respectful relationships and professional behaviors. Establishes and maintains collaborative and respectful relationships and professional behaviours that enhance learning and wellbeing for Pacific learners. The 'vā' is the sacred, spiritual, social and relational space in our Pacific cultural settings. I have my own understanding of the 'vā' as a Samoan. I was interested to understand the 'vā' in a Tongan context. I was not surprised to learn that there are many similarities in how Tongan and Samoan culture interpret this space. 

Koloa Tongan Showcase @ TC for Tongan Language Week 2023

During the PLD, they shared other takes and interpretations on what the 'vā' is. There was one that I resonated with, "simply interpersonal relationships" (Thaman, 2003). Interpersonal relationships are seen in how people communicate and act with each other within their own cultural and social spaces. They also shared what 'Vā - Tauhi Vā' means and the way in which they nurture relationships. "Tauhi-vā then is one of the fundamental elements of the four golden values or pillars of Tongan culture known as “faa‘i kaveikoula” (Mele Suipi Latu). She also explained 

Vāoif (when the vā is nurtured - tauhi - then the relationship is ofi - close)

Vā mama'o (lack of engagement or the there is distance in the relationship)

As I continue to learn and grow in my culture, I am understanding the importance of 'vaofi' - presence and commitment - to a relationship and how this helps to strengthen the relationship. 

Fakakaukau

Reflection

We were asked a series of questions to help us reflect on the relationships that we have at school and what we do to take care of the vā in these relationships with our akonga and colleagues. The relationship I chose to highlight was the relationship between myself and the students in my Whanau House Group. 

Describe or explain your relationship

The relationship is centered around my role as Dean - taking care of the students. The students come to me for a range of issues and concerns. The relationship is driven by a balance of transactional and transformational leadership (on my part) - I am trying to build my service through transformational leadership (bottom up). 

How successful is your relationship?

This is not something I reflect on too much. But I believe that there is a mutual respect between myself and my students. I feel that this makes the relationship successfull - we understand each other's place, no boundaries are crossed and there is a mutual love and respect there. 

How do you keep or nurture your relationships?

Constant communication and staying connected. As their Dean, I believe that it is important that I am across everything when it comes to their journey at school - from academic, pastoral, learning, behavior  - I try my best to stay across it all and communicate with them clearly. Creating clear expectations and boundaries is something that I do and I believe that this helps to nurture the relationship because my students understand and know their place. It works for me as well. 

Any need for improvement? How?

There is always room for improvement. I think my presence is important so making sure that I am available to my students. I also know that I can continue to ensure that my communication is constant, clear and concise with my students. 

Totara House @ Tongan Language Week 2023

Totara House @ Tongan Language Week 2023

I have enjoyed learning and understanding what the vā means in a Tongan context. Although there are many similarities, I appreciate the differences as well. I see how important tauhi va is in Tongan culture and I have seen it in action here at school through the Tongan Parent's Association and the Tongan Polyfest group. I love learning about cultures as it helps to strengthen and affirm what I know about mine. 

Week 8 Term 3 - Totara House: Leadership + Legacy (September 4 - September 8)

Totara House Leadership 2021, 2022 + 2023

 It is that time of the year where we start preparing for our new student leadership team for each house. Our Whanau House system is anchored by the student leadership team who are the hands, feet and eyes for their respective House. I find this time of year both challenging and exciting. Challenging in that I need to start to let go of the current leadership team and exciting in that I can start to work with and usher in the new leadership team. In Term 3, the Year 12 students apply for leadership and undergo leadership interviews. The students and staff vote for their House leaders at the end of Term 3. This year there are two year 12 classes in my House and from this we have 15 students who have applied for a leadership role for 2024. 

At our most recent House assembly, we focused on 'Leadership and Legacy'. I wanted to shed some light on 'leadership' and 'legacy' and what it means in our House, school, family, community and world. I am really grateful for the fact that since the introduction of the House system to our school in 2021, I have been able to help build our young people and transition them into leadership. From Year 9 - Year 13, I like to use all the students in our House assemblies and to lead the different House events to give them the experience. With the leadership teams supporting and anchoring this approach. Two of the House Prefects for 2023 spoke about 'Leadership' and 'Legacy' and what it means to them. 

LEADERSHIP
Leadership is the ability of an individual or a group of people to influence and guide followers or members of an organization, society or team.

Leadership is a call to serve. In my opinion it is not about self but about others, building others and supporting others in the process. In Week 6, I attended an online PLD - Rauhuia Terenga/Symposium explores Pacific Perspectives on Leadership. Hosted by Dr Michelle Johansson and Melanie Cottingham, they shared their thoughts on how teachers and educators can connect with other leaders and traverse the vast oceans between our unique contexts in education. I was particularly interested in a point that Dr Johansson raised when she said that " In Pacific society, leadership just happens. Pacific peoples hardly ever ‘set out’ to become leaders - often it is accidental, or inherited. Sometimes it is thrust upon us. Understanding how Pacific leadership works can be a powerful tool for teachers." I appreciate that leadership is not something that many of my akonga see themselves in, it is something that is often inherited or asked of them. There is a deep sense of service and responsibility that my students carry when they are given leadership opportunities.

Totara House Prefect/Head Boy 2024 - Christian Kava

Totara House Prefect and Head Boy 2024 - Christian Kava - shared his perspective on leadership at our most recent House assembly. "Leadership is the ability of an individual or a group of people to influence and guide followers or members of an organization, society or team. What leadership means to me is someone who supports and encourages others. Also a good example for others to follow. To those Year 12s who are going for Student Leader application for next year, I wish you all the best. I know you guys will do well." 

LEGACY
the long-lasting impact of particular events, actions, etc. that took place in the past, or of a person’s life.

Creating a legacy is something that I have tried to build into Totara House. We are a House that is anchored in our own House values, a sense of togetherness in both the events that we participate but also in our learning journey. Over the last three years, the legacy has been underpinned by the House values that the students have come up: 

2021: Teamwork, Respect + Family

2022: Unity, Resilience + Confidence

2023: Leadership, Gratitude + Integrity

We use these values as a measure of how we present and act (individually but also as a collective) at school. Creating leadership opportunities for our students beyond Year 13 and into our junior school cohort is something that I want to continue to build into our legacy. The beautiful thing about legacy is that it is something that is continually evolving and growing. 

Totara House Prefect - Alo-Ki Hingano

Totara House Prefect 2024 - Alo-Ki Hingano - shares his perspective on on legacy at our most recent House assembly. "Your legacy is the total of your life experiences, beliefs, values, and traditions passed down from generation to generation. It is the good, bad, and everything you leave behind. What it means to me is thinking about what you do at school and hope that you can do good for others to carry on in your name. To the Year 12s, good luck and all the best." 

Year 12 Student Leader Applicants - Totara House

Year 12s with some of the Totara House Leadership Team '23

Our leadership and legacy assembly has become a staple assembly in Term 3 throughout the years. It is an opportunity to reflect on what it means to us and to also look forward to what it could potentially look like for our future. I am excited by the potential that the young people bring to the House each year. I am inspired by their enthusiasm and excitement. I am also really grateful for the leadership team of 2024. I look forward to finishing the year off well with them. I look forward to bringing in the new team to help transition our house into 2024 with ease.