Section
Practice
The Pros and Cons of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and how Rotorua Primary School has integrated the new technology
It has been praised as the greatest innovation of our times, and criticised as unethical and completely lacking in humanity. It is admired and despised, embraced and rejected, in equal measure. But whether pro or con, it is difficult not to take an interest in this controversial technology. As I write this article, our Prime […]
A stroll back in time, Rural Principalship
‘As a young teacher, I never thought I would have to be a weather expert!’ Meteorology was not a curriculum option at Teachers’ College in the ’60s and besides, there were far more important things to focus on, such as life-altering, revolutionary music, debating the ethics of the Vietnam War, buying a first car, and […]
Cognitive-Affective Learning: A Thriving Mind, A Connected Heart
The modern classroom is more than a site for delivering content—it is a relational space where the brain, body, and heart come together in the service of learning. As educators, we’re learning – through both research and reflection – that the most powerful teaching happens when we hold thinking and feeling side by side. In […]
Lemonwood Grove: Te Uru Tarata Student Leaders come to Wellington
Lemonwood Grove School arises from a massive housing boom in the Christchurch suburb of Rolleston. Opening in 2017, with a roll of 59 students, the school now welcomes 1,000 students a day and expectations are for further growth on the ten-acre site. Although Rolleston is located close to the epicentre of the 2010 Christchurch earthquake, […]
The Power of Collaborative Problem Solving
I am fortunate to have been welcomed into a great Professional Learning Group. Seven primary principals from a variety of schools, both town based and rural, who meet monthly. The host Principal chooses the venue, picks a short reading and pays for breakfast for the group. We start the hui with karakia and ‘What’s on […]
Ruakākā School Shines
Ruakākā School is proudly located near picturesque Bream Bay, about a half hour’s drive south of Whangārei. Mount Manaia dominates the horizon and features in the pepeha of more than half the tamariki of the area. The mountain erupted about twenty million years ago and is now blanketed in a thick coat of native bush. […]
Kawanga Whare Mō Te Whānau Harakeke: Enacting Te Tiriti in opening new Classrooms
Our kura is very fortunate to have a close and respectful relationship with our local iwi Patuharakeke, Takahiwai Marae is nine kilometres from our kura and earlier this term all of our 350 tamariki visited to learn about Matariki and Puanga. In 2014, one of our kaiako sought the support of then Principal Marilyn Dunn, […]
Managing Requests for Information
Parents, whānau, and staff members will sometimes ask the school for information held about a person or an event. Requests for information are often made by a person in dispute with the school, and schools can also face requests for information from the media. The Privacy Act 2020 (covering personal information) and Official Information Act […]
Fairfield Intermediate School leads commitment to Youth Mental Health in Hamilton
Fairfield Intermediate, a 950-pupil Year 7 and 8 school in Hamilton, is the first intermediate in New Zealand to have more than 10 per cent of their staff trained in Youth Mental Health First Aid Aotearoa. In June, nine staff completed a two-day Youth Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Aotearoa workshop at the school, run […]
Inspiring the Future Broadens Horizons
The National Education and Learning Priorities (NELP) place a range of expectations on schools to collaborate with business and communities around work and to raise the expectations of learners. Now a government-backed programme is expanding through the country, offering a package that can help schools meet some NELP and curriculum priorities, as well as enrich […]