Kia ora koutou and welcome to the Mawhera Community of Learning/Kahui Ako blog.
Vision Education is excited to be part of the Mawhera Community of Learning/Kahui Ako, providing leadership and support to all teachers and developing their literacy knowledge and pedagogy. The team members who have been involved in this work to date are Dr Alison Davis, Alana Cantley (leader), Jude Parkes and Leytia Leota-Preston.
Our first visit in April began with the Teacher Only Day where we presented work based on student agency and learners in the driving seat. Teachers attended workshops focused on secondary school writing to meet the demands of the curriculum, preparing to write, writing approaches and reading/writing links with a focus on using the visualisation strategy in writing. On the following day, the facilitators and across and within school teachers met. During the day, they discussed ideas that were developed during the Teacher Only day and planned for future actions within the Kahui Ako and in their own schools.
In early May, Jude and I returned to Greymouth and spent three days working in schools, scoping, discussing ideas and actions, co-planning and co-teaching. This was an exciting three days, as we got to know teachers and leaders and worked together to develop content knowledge and pedagogy in writing. An added bonus was being able to drive around such a beautiful part of New Zealand!
Leytia, Jude and I return to Greymouth from 24 to 26 May. During this time we will be working in schools, co-planning and co-teaching lessons and continuing to develop knowledge of literacy skills and strategies that will benefit learners across all year levels.
We are delighted that John Paul II and Greymouth High School are part of the Kahui Ako, as well as so many primary schools; this will undoubtedly develop smoother transitions for learners at the crucial transition point from Year 8 to Year 9 and ensure coherence among schools in the area.
The Mawhera Community of Learning/Kahui Ako has a vital opportunity to improve learner outcomes through collaboration, sharing knowledge and expertise and developing coherent practices and pedagogy across schools and teachers. We are delighted to be a part of your journey.
Alana Cantley, Mawhera Community of Learning/Kahui Ako team leader
on behalf of Vision Education
Kia ora Alana and Jude
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to read your comments and to see you acknowledge the willingness and professionalism of the Mawhera Kāhui Ako team of practitioners. We are making significant changes as we strive towards accelerating achievement for all of our learners, consolidating best practice, and understanding how inquiry underpins teaching and learning.