School busing out of zone...

 An interesting phenomenon is still occurring since I was a high school teacher back in the 1990s and that's early morning school buses bussing students out of South Auckland areas to mainly inner city grammar schools, or high schools across the bridge (Mangere Bridge) or to some Catholic high schools.

This is particularly evident for girls as I now also drop my elder child off to bus to her school and there are bus loads of girls awaiting their buses to various destinations. The perception is that there is a better chance of a child succeeding outside of South Auckland schools and parents/caregivers are willing to sacrifice or to commit extra dollars for bus fares, early morning/evening drop off and pick ups with higher school fees/donations and more expensive uniforms etc.

In being a parent in this same category and having been schooled in my formative years (although many years ago) in Mangere, South Auckland, I definitely think that school culture has a lot to do with it as well as teacher expectations and teacher expertise.

In growing up, I had a mix of teachers: those with high expectations and those with low and then there were those who had expertise in their areas of teaching and those who didn't. When I became a teacher, I saw first hand the difference that I could make in having high expectations of my students but also in my becoming an 'expert' in my subject area.

I'll never forget how I was given a senior Year 13 English class to teach, in my 3rd year of teaching (I was only 28 at the time) and was told by the Head teacher not to expect too much from these students as hardly any students made it through the end of year exams. I made it my business to know all the areas of the exam, to teach texts that were relevant, study writing styles and to teach with passion and a shared understanding offering weekend classes and extra writing.

When I returned from a much needed sojourn overseas with my family, I was congratulated in a team meeting by the very person who'd said that I wasn't to expect much from those students. Needless to say that around half the class passed the exams with a couple acing their exams which was unprecedented at the time. Those who didn't pass, knew I gave it my best shot and it changed their lives and mine forever. I was only allowed to teach that class for an extra year with similar results.

And that's why I make the same decision to make those sacrifices and commitment to give my child the best shot that I can to be schooled where the expectations on the first day are that every child will achieve (as the principal spoke at yesterday's assembly) and that is their business...

The powhiri in action....

 Today I attended my first powhiri at a state (albeit Grammar school) in the 21st century in welcoming new Year 9 students, new teachers and parents to the school. I was impressed at the dedication given to this Maori welcoming ceremony and even more interested when three European males gave their mihi and korere in Maori.


It started with a karanga (a student welcoming call and another replying) with the parents and new teachers women at the front, followed by the adult males and then the school students. We were welcomed in with a Haka powhiri by the Year 13 students and then speeches began followed by waiata (songs of support).


At the end of the formalities, the hongi (pressing of noses) or handshake/cheek press/short kiss with only the kai (food) to complete the powhiri process. I walked along with the women staff until I realized that no one else was following  (I think they were a bit daunted) but after I sat back down the Deputy Principal (whom I know) ushered me up and was the last in the line to catch up with the others. Yahoo!


As an education contractor for some 10 years, in schools, I would often witness how Maori teachers, were brought to the fore and would speak on behalf of European principals, school leaders and parents in keeping to Maori protocol in having Maori spoken as the primary language of communication or powhiri were relegated to only when special guests arrived.


Today, I witnessed a very different event in the school's powhiri to the Year 9s and new teachers. It was most encouraging to observe the Principal's korero and opening/welcoming remarks in Maori and in sharing his mihi/whakapapa (his places of origin), followed by the European Board of Trustees' Chairperson lengthy korero which was well spoken (even if he did refer to his notes at times). The reply was spoken by a new European teacher whose family had spent much time in Hong Kong. For me, in being immersed in a Wananga i.e. higher place of learning. I've learnt about the importance of observing the powhiri with it's symbolism and this was an encouraging to note.


They still had the benefit and support of the Maori educator in checking on protocols and discussing order and finer points but it was very interesting for me to note that within the schools culture they have embraced the important notion that culture has a place within schools and is the very essence of who people are and what they come with, that with an acceptance and encouragement of this brings about shared understandings towards achievement.


I suspect that this is why having a powhiri for the international visitors who are coming for the unprecedented signing of the controversial TPP (Trans Pacific Partnership) trade agreement between 12 nations was so important in showcasing a unique indigenous welcoming ritual.


However, even more controversial in that for many Iwi (Maori tribal groupings) the TPP trade agreement is not welcome as it is seen as not being conducive to indigenous peoples and those who are not in positions of power but more for multi national companies and those already who are already doing well financially but that's another blog...

Thanks for 10,000 hits on blog...

Thank you for all those who've been following or have taken the time out of your busy days to read my blog. I'd heard about blogging for years and my year older sister had been blogging for a long time before I decided to give it a go.

So after a year, I've reached the milestone of 10,000 hits which was my goal although I understand that some people get that in a single day or within minutes of posting. Instead, I'm interested in the sharing

For me, the main reason for starting to blog was that I thought there were a few things that I'd picked up that I'd think might be helpful for other readers to know about or to try. So my blogs are written around my interests and subjects such as:

• things Pacific, Pasifika or Samoan including the arts, customs, ancient stories etc.
• my Christian faith, family and travelling etc.
• Self-publishing and creative writing including short stories, performance plays, poetry, novels etc.
• education from early childhood, primary through to middle/secondary and tertiary courses with a special interest in indigenous education etc.
• the arts, fine art, performing arts, crafting, music, especially the during the '80s etc.
• on being a mother, entrepreneur, an academic (of sorts), artist, creative writer and author etc.

These are just some of the blogs that you may come across as well as blogs about my upcoming book launches and writing ideas. Many thanks to those who have left feedback and looking forward to the days ahead. So do what you are passionate about and you won't have to "work" another day in your life...

Happy Auckland Anniversary....

I just love the weekends and a long weekend is a bonus! especially when they are back to back with Waitangi weekend next weekend which solicits another 4 day working week. So that when people at work ask me about how my weekend was. I usually answer with "every weekend is a great weekend."

This particular weekend I'll be getting things ready for my children to start school. Checking out uniforms, bags, lunches, stationary, fees, transportation, study area, mobile phones and the list goes on. But it's neat to have this extra day to figure all the little details that go into working out the logistics for our children's education.

And indeed it's also a time for a little R&R (rest and relaxation) before the craziness of ensuring that all cylinders are firing for the coming weeks when school begins for another term and yet another year. It's hard to believe that already the first month has gone by in 2016 and it feels like it's just started.

So have a great weekend wherever you are in the world and God bless...