Classroom Context

Classroom
Context
Whanaungatanga
There are seventeen students in Rma Wha. They are seated in small groups. The groups
are decided on their learning and behavioural needs. The groups had been changed three
times while I was there.
These groups of three, four and six made it easier for me to recall their names. Until they
were shifted.
I was introduced to the school by a confident, articulate Mori girl. She aspires to do and be
great. I cant wait to see how she grows.
These groups also collect points for positive behaviour, learning milestones, staying on task
and following instructions the first time and doing this quickly. These points can also be
deducted as well. At the end of the week the winning group get to pick from the surprise box.
At the beginning of the following week, the current leader of each group chooses a new
leader for their group.
Kiwi Can tickets are also handed out to students who demonstrate integrity, leadership, and
respect. These students go into a class draw that is drawn at Monday morning assembly to
enjoy popcorn and a movie on Fridays.
Kaitiakitanga
Rma wha is actively lead by a vivacious and eloquent teacher. She is supportive of her
students both in the classroom and outside. The teacher accepts the individuality of her
students and embraces their strengths and weaknesses. She nurtures the development of
each and every learner.
She promotes the learning including all students and all their worth. Positive reinforcements
are deliberate, she knows her students and they know her and her expectations well. She
has high expectations of her learners and they strive to meet them. She models the learning,
thinking aloud and encourages questioning. The students observe her and offer their
perspective freely and confidently. There is a real mix of abilities in the classroom and all sit
at different levels in the Curriculum.
The teacher; she leads the learning in this classroom. Her knowledge of the Curriculum and
students in her creative way makes learning effective. That she delivers with confidence and
sees herself as a learner as well.
The students; they awhi each other. They lead their own karakia. They know they are
responsible for themselves.
Mauri Ora
Some of these students are raised by single parent families, large families. Families with
addictions, and exhibit anti-social behaviours. Children that had not been home to their own
families. Families that had recently moved to Aotearoa and had little or no whanau support.
These families are of low socio-economic status. These children are not oblivious to the
world we live in, they are resilient. They are positive, inquisitive and determined.
It is heart-breaking hearing the events that took place the night before school or over the
weekend. But the students know they are respected, supported and loved in this classroom.
No matter what happened, when they come to class, they often have a sense of peace.
I learned their habits by observing them before, during and after school. I saw when they had
a rough night. I realised very quickly that they relied on me and their teacher to be upbeat
and positive, to give them the lift they needed to get through the day. Sometimes, they just
needed to know that we understood.
I made it a daily practice to ask if they had a good moe, something to eat and if they had a
bath. The teacher shared stories of her courageous talks she has had with students or their
whanau to address, or support them with these issues.
Koha
When there is a birthday in the classroom the teacher supplies cake and a few small treats
for the whole class. This is a custom in the class and the students are well aware of this.
Respectfully, they gather at the end of the room and sit quietly on the mat, ready to sing to
their peers. Each student is graciously served by the birthday host. Their manners and
appreciation are admirable.
Latest school donation some of these items were distributed to students in need. The school
sang waiata to show their appreciation
The school has great community support with the church supplying lunch items for all
students. There is fruit and milk in the school. If there are students that dont have food, she
would make them sandwiches herself. She says, that Crawshaw is a Kids Can school and
that they have the means to do this for the students.
hurutanga
The School; has implemented a zero tolerance behavioural policy. There is a ticketing
system that issued to the person not adhering to the rules. The student is then sent to
another classroom as a time out. That teacher will then conference with the student and
send them back to the class with a positive resolution.
The school also has Kiwi Can Values Programme. They run 45 minute programmes once a
week, covering topics such as integrity and respect. The delivery is high impact, low noise
and packed with fun-filled learning. Recognising role models in the community and public
figures are talked about as well.
The teacher; I have highlighted this in depth. The teacher actively promotes respect. She
would conference with students if there had been problems and together they would coconstruct an appropriate solution or consequence.
The students; these students share everything. Half a sandwich, stationary, a celebration of
achievements and whanau. They are a very giving bunch. They care for each other,
themselves and their environment.
Although I have spoken to these points as a third party, it was easy to build relationships in
this classroom and just be me. I demonstrated all of these attributes as these values
highlighted are already embedded in my foundations. Showing compassion to all,
appreciating the learning and relationships that I have built, I will continue to maintain.

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