Te Takanga o Te Wā’, (Aotearoa New Zealand’s Histories) Hui.

 Friday 3rd June 2022

Introduction

The implementation of the ‘Te Takanga o Te Wā’, (Aotearoa New Zealand’s Histories) aspect of the Social Sciences curriculum in 2023, was the kaupapa for an across Schools hui. This was an opportunity to implement the ACCoS whakataukī  Waiho i te toipoto, kaua i te toiroa, Let us keep close together,  through learning about the curriculum and what is means for Schools in our Kāhui Ako.        

Epsom Girls Grammar took the lead in organising and hosting this hui.   It was the first event for the ACCoS Kāhui Ako, that was open to all teachers and Schools with about 400 teachers attending.

But, due to the ongoing impact of Covid-19  in our kura (schools), the decision was made to move the event online. Schools stayed in bubbles on their school sites and staff joined from various locations.   Credit to the organising Staff and their support at EGG’s who were able to implement this change so quickly and effectively.

The day commenced with a pōwhiri. The Epsom Staff with the Support of Whaea Jacqs Carter and Matua Richard Maihi welcomed the guest speaker, Graeme Ball who was ably supported by  Whaea Corlene Greenwood who was the kaiwhakautu (supporting caller for a pōwhiri), and a group from Epsom Girls Grammar.

 After a short break for Kai (nourishment), the hui recommenced with a welcome from ACCoS Kāhui Ako lead Principal Jill Farquharson.

This was followed by mihi and a setting the scene for the day by the Principal of Epsom Girls Grammar,  Lorraine Pound.  She introduced Graeme Ball,  the presenter for the hui.  Graeme is the Chair and Kaiārahi of NZ History Teachers’ Association,  part of the Curriculum Writing Group and Head of Faculty (Social Sciences), Northcote College, Auckland

                

The pairing of Zoom and the Slide Show worked effectively for participants across the rohe (district), with participants being able to view the documentation and slides on personal devices as they listened and viewed Graeme presenting.

 

Graeme Ball’s plenary

Graeme, set the scene with a journey through NZ history.

“The Māori are our largest purveyors of foodstuffs; so large indeed as nearly to monopolise the market and to exclude Europeans from competition.”

“Māori were described as the ‘life blood’ of the Auckland settlement, with a newspaper noting that ‘it is likely that but for the Māori trade Auckland business would have collapsed during these years.’”

Graeme's  presentation outlined events and key factors that contributed to the changes: the waves of migration, changes in political influences and control, wars and land confiscation. The data presented demonstrated the impact of colonisation and marginalisation of Māori on social, economic and health outcomes in the 21st century.

After this historical journey Graeme presented a Challenge: 

Te Wero

Before we get into the Histories’ curriculum overview presentation, there are a few important points to keep in mind:

●        Properly done, the goal of History is to explain/interpret the evidence, not to blame or shame. It’s not about identifying ‘heroes’ or ‘villains’ and it is not about a recitation of names and dates!

●        We may well make ethical judgments about what people did in the past, but we must do so based on a wide range of evidence and with an awareness of the context of times. 

●        History can be challenging as we learn new and uncomfortable things; as kaiako we need to be aware of the potential impacts on our ākonga.

 

 

In presenting the  overview of  the new curriculum development process, Graeme explained how the ANZH  is the first of the new curriculums and templates the organisational structure for the rest of the Social Science and other curriculum areas, presently being reviewed.

 Over the next 20 minutes Graeme outlined the organisation and structures of the document. He demonstrated how it wove the connections between Understand, Know and Do with examples from past and present and Global, National, Rohe and local events and knowledge.

 

The examples provided, demonstrated how the contexts are underpinned by Mātauranga Māori, critical literacy and thinking skills.  This  reiterated how the relevance of this learning is enhanced from being integrated across the  Curriculum and being grounded from  the stories and knowledge of the local rohe, whenua and Community.

Collaborating across Schools and Learning Disciplines

Teachers from Epsom Girls Grammar split in groups based on their learning areas and dug deeper into how the curriculum may apply in their subject area and for the students they teach.  Their focus was ‘Think about learner experience and Mātauranga Māori in your subject area’.

Kaiako (teachers) from year 1-8 moved into Curriculum level and specialist teacher groups on zoom. These groups were hosted by an Across School Leader and provided opportunities to share the aspects of the History Curriculum presently happening in schools in our Kāhui Ako and to discuss what next.

Teachers in these groups split into breakout rooms. The groups of people, from a number of schools, discussed the questions and added their contributions to Jam boards.

 

The visibility and sharing of ideas, questions and actions across schools was another  highlight of the day, and evidence of the Kāhui Ako whakataukī, Waiho i te toipoto, kaua i te toiroa,  Let us keep close together not far apart,  in action.

Kura korero (Schools discussion groups)

Teachers then moved into school discussion groups,  some on site others on zoom. The discussion in school ropu were facilitated by principals and school leaders.

Poroporoaki (Farewell, conclusion of a hui)

The poroporoaki brought the focus back to the hall at Epsom Girls Grammar. The Principals shared their key take outs from their school discussions through zoom and Graeme Ball addressed the group with observations and some suggestions for next steps.

 

Kupu Whakamutunga (Final words)

Kaumatua Richard Maihi rounded off the day, drawing together observations on the curriculum, the acknowledgement of mana whenua  and the process of the day, before concluding with karakia.

Where to now

This was a successful and highly engaging morning of learning and collaboration both on site and on zoom.   Although the move to an on-line and in school settings was a disappointment to the anticipation of being kanohi ki te kanohi as a Kāhui Ako, the day achieved the kaupapa.  The negative of not being  together, was off set by the efficiencies of being line and in smaller groups on sites across the motu. The organisational format was easy to follow and successfully allowed people to log into the different zoom sessions, talk with others from across the Kāhui Ako and share knowledge and ideas.  The organising group have collated the contributions and discussion boards and will use this information to feedback to  Principals and Across School Leaders. 

With the uncertainty of Covid-19 still in the Community, this model for learning was an effective way to run professional development and collaborate across a large group of schools and kaiako.  Thank you to  Graeme Ball, the kaumatua  Richard Mahi, the organising committee and support from staff at Epsom Girls Grammar for your foresight and work to bring this day to fruition

 Resources from the Day

ACCoS, (2022) Launching the Aotearoa New Zealand Histories Curriculum. Auckland June 2022