Reo Rua and Rumaki learning at Central Normal School. Te Kura Tuatahi o Papaioea
Background
& Naming of
Te Arawaru
Central Normal School has been operating and providing bilingual learning in Māori since 1995.
Wiremu Te Aweawe, a Rangitāne kaumātua, gifted the name ‘Te Arawaru’ to Central Normal in 1999. Te Arawaru is named after a peak in the Tararua Ranges called Te Arawaru. Te Arawaru is also a name, that to Māori, symbolises a formation of eight - representing the eight pointed star called ‘Whetu Marama’ - the star in heaven and light of the world.
Te Arawaru peak is a within close proximity to the township of Tokomaru in the Manawatū area. It is a significant landmark to the Rangitāne people, who are tāngata whenua of Palmerston North and outlying areas in the Manawatū district.
In days of old, the Rangitāne iwi lived on both sides of the mountain range in Wairarapa and Manawatū. At important times when Rangitāne needed to meet because of an urgent matter, a group of the tribes fastest warriors would speed up to Te Arawaru and light huge fires. A bright blaze could then be seen from either side of the mountain. With smoke signals alerting all of Rangitāne that there was to be an urgent meeting.
The purpose of Te Arawaru is to provide a high standard of learning and opportunities to foster the growth and development of children in Te Reo Māori me ona tikanga in a supportive te ao Māori environment.
This will be achieved by:
The importance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi as a founding document of Aotearoa/New Zealand is acknowledged.
Te Arawaru Whakatauki
Mā te tuakana Ka tōtika te teina | It is through the older sibling that the younger sibling learns to do the right things the right way |
Mā te teina Ka tōtika to tuakana | And it is through the younger sibling that the older sibling learns to be tolerant |
Learning and
Teaching in
Te Arawaru
In 2018, a significant review was undertaken of the provision of learning and teaching in Te Arawaru and what could be amended and/or introduced to strengthen the delivery and content of Te Reo Māori me ona tikanga.
Visits to two other schools who provide bilingual and immersion learning supported our review, as did research from an article by S. May, R. Hill and S. Tiakiwai titled Bilingual Education in Aotearoa/New Zealand.
Whānau voice was also very important in shaping and informing the review. A whānau hui was held to share and hear from the whānau about their thinking. Whānau overwhelmingly endorsed the review and it’s changes.
The outcome of the review, particularly in relation to the research and whānau voice, led to an increased focus and provision of Te Reo Māori me ona tikanga and curriculum learning from one curriculum document.
All learning and teaching from Te Marautanga o Aotearoa
Akomanga 13 Year 0/1 | Reo Rua |
Akomanga 14 Year 1/2 | Reo Rua |
The Whare Year 3/4 | Rumaki |
Akomanga 15 Year 5/6 | Rumaki |
Akomanga 16 Year 5/6 | Rumaki |
All classes plan teaching and learning programmes from the national curriculum document Te Marautanga o Aotearoa. Assessment information is stored and tracked in the online tool Te Waharoa.
Each class has their own classroom teacher and Te Arawaru is also supported by a Kaiarahi Reo, who provides learning support intervention and classroom release time. Te Arawaru and Kura Auraki are both supported by a full time teacher, who provides Te Reo and Tikanga instruction and Kapa Haka.
Reo Rua programmes:
Rumaki programmes:
Programmes will reflect and integrate a Māori world viewpoint, as outlined in Te Marautanga o Aotearoa.
Research Overview of Bilingual Learning
What does the research say? Some key points that informed our thinking:
Te Arawaru Whānau
The whānau plays an important role in the learning and success of our tamariki.
Therefore:
Help is always appreciated in the tea, especially for:
Call
Phone: (06) 359 3337
Email
office @ centralnormal.school.nz
Visit
201 Featherston Street 4410
Palmerston North, New Zealand
Team Wharite
New entrants – Yr 2
Team Matanginui
Year 5 & 6
Team Maharahara
Year 3 & 4
Team Te Arawaru
Bilingual NE - Year 6