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Waitangi
Submitted by Dorothy on Tue, 13/02/2007 - 5:38pm.
First week back at school and an opportunity to give some context to the week we had just had in Christchurch. This research is being carried out in partnership with real children, real teachers and looking at real issues – it is not simply an academic exercise at all.
A highlight of this week was having the opportunity to participate in a Tautoko on Thursday at Weymouth Primary School. A small group of adults and some nervous members of the culture group (all their leaders have left and gone off to intermediate schools) were privileged to experience one of the wonderful by-products of the Treaty of Waitangi. A respected colleague and friend has moved on to a new position after six years teaching at Pt England and we were able to go with Michael to his new school and in a special assembly ‘hand him over’ to his new school. The principal and the Board of Trustees member who spoke on his behalf let the new school know in no uncertain terms that we were giving them a Taonga ( a treasure) that we have valued – and to tell them they had better look after him!
Then again on Friday another Tautoko was held for a teacher moving to Grey Lynn School after ten years teaching at Pt England. And the ceremony was repeated, though with a Samoan flavour this time to include Otalani’s culture.
Both occasions were very emotional, but what a fantastic, positive way to be able to start out in a new job. It sure beats a farewell at the end of the year before and everyone hoping that all goes well at the new school.
So here I have been, sitting in my office next to some classes beginning their new year with a look at the Treaty of Waitangi, while I was examining the ethical issues surrounding the case study I am embarking on. We have gained some awesome things from our treaty partners and here’s hoping that this project I am researching in 2007 will offer some new insights in return in an area that so many of the children struggle with – Reading.
A highlight of this week was having the opportunity to participate in a Tautoko on Thursday at Weymouth Primary School. A small group of adults and some nervous members of the culture group (all their leaders have left and gone off to intermediate schools) were privileged to experience one of the wonderful by-products of the Treaty of Waitangi. A respected colleague and friend has moved on to a new position after six years teaching at Pt England and we were able to go with Michael to his new school and in a special assembly ‘hand him over’ to his new school. The principal and the Board of Trustees member who spoke on his behalf let the new school know in no uncertain terms that we were giving them a Taonga ( a treasure) that we have valued – and to tell them they had better look after him!
Then again on Friday another Tautoko was held for a teacher moving to Grey Lynn School after ten years teaching at Pt England. And the ceremony was repeated, though with a Samoan flavour this time to include Otalani’s culture.
Both occasions were very emotional, but what a fantastic, positive way to be able to start out in a new job. It sure beats a farewell at the end of the year before and everyone hoping that all goes well at the new school.
So here I have been, sitting in my office next to some classes beginning their new year with a look at the Treaty of Waitangi, while I was examining the ethical issues surrounding the case study I am embarking on. We have gained some awesome things from our treaty partners and here’s hoping that this project I am researching in 2007 will offer some new insights in return in an area that so many of the children struggle with – Reading.
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I was great to read about