The power of "WHAT, WHY, HOW" in my inquiry

Literacy is the key to success in NCEA PE.

In my Level 2 class, I have been working hard on building and strengthening basic literacy skills that they can apply to their analysis, reports, and evaluations.

                I keep my power point slides really basic and structured so students don't get lost:

What

Introduction to assessment and answering the questions commonly asked by the students at the beginning of a standard. " Miss what's this assessment about"

                             Starting Point

Step by step guide to help students with the structure as well as giving them a starting point to get the momentum going.

                                  WHY

Frequently asked questions "why do we have to this"- Students need to see a visual on how Step 1 of the learning process applies to the final product of the assessment.

Using scenarios for discussion and scanning for understanding. Ensuring that students understand what they are writing down.

HOW
Showing students a visual of the end product so they see the connection between their current learning and how this contributes to the end product.

With my year 12's, I find that this basic process helps in improving their writing structure as well as their understanding. It also helps them with making that connection between the practical and the theory and transferring this understanding on to the piece of paper.

I also find it helpful that my power points are structured in a way that is similar to how their reports are structured. This makes it easier for the students to keep the momentum going with their writing. There is nothing worse than stalling the momentum of your class and throwing them off.

Please note: This is a snap shot of what is working for my class at this current time and year, this strategy of teaching may not apply to all audiences.

Testimony: The writing structure and literacy has improved since term 1 and this is VISIBLE SUCCESS for my class.

Evidence to be continued in my next Blog:)

My Inquiry 1 2017

Achievement Challenge 5: 

Improve the achievement of students with additional needs in the learning areas of English/Key Competency using language, symbols, and text.

                               Challenge for Learners 

Junior school: Students struggle to reflect and articulate the connection between the practical and theory elements of Physical education.

Senior School: Students struggle with literacy; report writing and evaluations. Students didn't know how to transfer the literacy skills that they learn in English to a Physical Education context. I find students asking questions like what do we write for an introduction? Miss, can you give me a sentence starter? How do I structure my paragraph when talking about Biophysical principles related to Turbo Touch? Students needed guidance in deconstructing literacy skills learned across other subjects and help with applying the same skills to my subject area.

Questions raised

How do we make this jump a lot seamless? What can we do to equip students at junior school so they are prepared for NCEA PE? With NCEA PE the question is how can I help to improve their Literacy when it comes to reporting and evaluations, with the overall goal of achievement but achievement at Merit and Excellence.

Desired Outcome
Students are able to transfer literacy skills across all subject areas resulting in higher achievement in subject areas that offer literacy credits.
Students will understand the importance of Literacy as a tool for improvement in their achievement across all learning areas.
Students are able to make the connection between practice and theory and be able to reflect on this via Evaluation and Reflections.

My Inquiry
My inquiry is based on strengthening the literacy skills in Junior PE so they are prepared for NCEA PE. Building on this foundation In NCEA 1,2,3 the aim is to improve Literacy with the overall goal of achievement but achievement at Merit and Excellence.

Whanaungatanga " Getting to know our learners and maintaining positive relationships with our Akonga"

" Getting to know our learners in another light"

We often talk about knowing our learners, whanaungatanga and maintaining positive relationships with our Akonga. This is crucial if we are to move forward in Achievement.

Thursday after schools: We have a mini table tennis competition in the SAS room.

Getting to know the learners in a classroom setting is important. I believe that it is equally as important to know the students outside the classroom and in another light. Teachers who assist in school co- curricular activities are able to see other sides to a student that they normally wouldn't in the classroom. This is a base for conversation and establishing and maintaining positive relationships.

On Thursday after schools, we have a Mini comp in Table Tennis. Though it is highly competitive and intense in the quest to become the champion, there is also a chilled atmosphere, laughing, joking and on going conversation with the students. This once again is the Whanaungatanga aspect.

Sometimes students just need to know we are normal human beings and they also just want to see us chilled and having fun as well. This way I find students relate to you more and you are able to break down more barriers when the students realise you are working with them and not perceived as always barking orders.

"Keep it Real"

Koroneihana 2017 "My Cultural Experience"

                           
                          Koroneihana (Coronation) 2017 at Turungawaewae Marae, Ngaruwahia

On Sunday 20th August 2017, I attended the Koroneihana. I initially went down to support my friend Tasha Hohaia who is in the Maori Party. This event was highly significant not only because it was a gathering for politicians but more so because The honorable King Tuheitia was present and surrounded by his family, Kuias and people of the marae.

As much as I would love to talk about the politics, I am going to plant that for now and instead share my cultural experience on this day. Now I love Maori Culture and with my limited knowledge, I believe there is something about Maori dome that is just pure and beautiful.

I drove down with my friend and as we parked up and hopped out of the car we made our way to the entrance of the marae. In this short journey, we came across Maori wardens who were so friendly and just had a smile on their face, happy to direct us. The smallest gesture yet it made it so easy and meant a lot to us. I felt such a light wairua about being there and just looking around I said to my friend " man I love seeing kids being kids and wearing whatever they feel like without comparing it to someone else's brand clothing", I also loved that kids would walk past the wardens and say "kia ora matua" and I loved the fact that there were young teenagers who were just sitting and hanging around the marae, like it was there hangout on a normal day. This caught my attention, it was just so beautiful.

As my friend and I stood outside the entrance of the marae, awaiting our group to be invited with a powhiri, I recognized some politicians arriving in their flash cars, with their campaign flags and their support groups. A couple stood out to me. The first person that I recognized was Hone Harawira. Now I only know the Hone Harawira that appears in the news and media, but to see him in real life, I must admit I felt a bit star struck. With all politics aside, some things that appealed to me about Hone,  was a man that greeted every single person he saw on his way to the entrance, a man that even walked by and greeted me and my friend so genuinely and made us feel welcomed, a man that just had such aura and realness to people at ground level. He acknowledged people for being people and these genuine actions I respect.

I stood silently and watched politicians being interviewed, I was in awe of the fact that the Maori language was being spoken around me like it was the norm. I watched the likes of Tuku Morgan, TeUruroa Flavell, and Gareth Morgan, strut around, greeting people, taking photos and being interviewed. I felt like I was present at a day and time that was going to go down in history.

The powhiri began and as we were walking in, I was once again overwhelmed by the nature and peacefulness of the culture. I have experienced many powhiri's but this one was different, we were welcomed on by the elderly who waved their ferns gracefully as they powhiri us on to the marae. This melted my heart and made the occasion all the more special. I was at the back of the group and as we made our way to our seats I looked to the front of the marae and saw the Hon. King Tuheitia seated and surrounded by his people. This is a moment I will treasure forever.

You see I am not Maori, but on this day my love and interest for this culture grew. I listened to the speeches of Tuku Morgan, Hone Harawira, and Ururoa Flavell and despite not understanding it, I felt the authority and weight, yet the humility behind their speeches that were spoken in their beautiful Reo. I was that annoying kid that was constantly turning around to my friend asking her to translate what they were saying. I was so proud to experience this Koroneihana and I took away so much that makes me better as a person and more understanding as a New Zealand born Tongan.

I took away many lessons and values that I will treasure and add to my Kite. 1. I realized how important it is to acknowledge people for being people and to be genuine about it. Life gets busy we climb different mountains every day, but when you talk to people along your journey it is important to make them feel valued and cared for, it is important to actually "Listen".

I also experienced first-hand the difference between rural and urban life and appreciated the little kids who were on the marae and walking around in the rain doing chores for the elderly like it was the norm. I appreciated the gumboots, swandrys, plastic bags and also the sweatpants tucked into socks with sandals. This was a genuine generation that had not been tampered with, a generation that will be strong in their identity, a generation that grew up on the marae, listening to the Reo being spoken around them because it was normal. A generation that can share stories to their young ones one day about growing up in the marae with King Tuheitia and listening to the many speeches at Koroneihana. Some untold stories that I believe will keep the culture alive and flourishing.

This knowledge and experience, I believe makes me a better person, makes me a better teacher, allows me to contribute more to 21st-century society and gives me the knowledge that I can share with my world.

                            Ehara taku toa, he takitahi, he toa takitini

My success should not be bestowed onto me alone, as it was not individual success but success of a collective

Blaming others takes too much precious time " Nobody got time for that"

I recently met up with one of my mates from school. It was an interesting catch up where I quickly came to the realisation that this guy was the still the same joker from high school. He still threw the same jokes around, his laugh was still "dry" and he was the only one laughing at his jokes "typical" 😴. Anyway, after we turned out of memory lane, he began telling me about what he did for a job and how he ended up there. I asked him if he was happy, his reply was " oh you know how it is, its a job it pays the bills" I totally get this and appreciate the brother for standing up and being a man.

The next part of our conversation however hit a nerve. When he asked me what I was up to, I told him I was a teacher back at school. He laughed and asked me again "wait back at TC" I replied yea back at school. He asked me whether I liked it, to which I replied " i love it, its my dream and I am never going anywhere else" he laughed and said " eah that school did nothing for me" look at where I am now" but then hid it behind a brush off line " nah jokes I don't even care".

Now!! This guy should have been the next best thing in performing arts. Back in College this guy took out most of the performing arts prizes, everybody knew him. He had all the talent in the world, knew how to play every musical instrument there was, had a scholarship to start him off and was supported by a school that gave him opportunity as well equipped him with tools and skills to strengthen his talents in performing arts. He had it all but never took any of it, he never caught hold of these opportunities and like any seed you have to work it, grow it and it will flourish. This guy didn't do any of it. Im not saying that I am better than the brother or perfect, NOOO WAYYYY!! The journey here was hard for me, I struggled and if we are "keeping it real" I needed to be slapped in the face with some failures to wake me up.

The point I am making here is, I believe that it doesn't matter what school you go to, whether it be a decile 1 or decile 10, whether it be in Botany or Otara, Remuera or Glen Innes, every student gets the opportunity to succeed, but unfortunately the team that catches the ball and keeps at it will score the try. If you don't catch a hold of these opportunities and run with them someone else will and they will run and reap the rewards.

I get it, I grew up in the hood, I still live in the hood, I don't get the struggle I live the struggle, I only have to look around within my own family and my network to see the blood, sweat and tears on a daily basis- trying to put food on the table and keep up with the bills - "I get it" You see I grew up in the same hood as this guy, I went to the same Primary and College as this guy, we are both polynesian and we both come from similar backgrounds. I only wish that the brother took a hold of all the opportunities he had, so that he could take the world with this talents in performing arts. The point is you can never blame the school because teachers pour their heart and soul into the success of students. As Micheal Jackson says"you have to start with the man in the mirror".

We often spend life wondering and looking at what we don't have, I challenge myself everyday to think about the opportunities that have been presented to me  and look at what I have in my hand and make the most of this. Water it, grow it, sow into your dream and make it happen!! Do it because no one else if going to do it for you!!

Transferring the Wairua from Practical to Theory

PE is often mistaken for just sports and playing games. This is a mindset that makes every PE teacher cringe. Though we endeavour to make most of our lessons and learning as practical as possible, there is a MASSIVE theory aspect to PE as well. At Junior level we are teaching students how to reflect, put their practical learning into writing and also understand the connection between the practical and theory. Sometimes I must admit that at junior school, I have often settled for  2 or 3 average sentences, but this time around I have been following through and reinforcing the importance of the theory aspect and teaching students basic literacy within the PE context at junior level.

Year 10 students doing a mix and match activity on Energy systems before they leave to get changed at the end of the lesson.

Our junior programme is built around our students and the number 1 priority I see at junior level is to make my lessons as fun and engaging as possible. In saying this I believe that reinforcing the theory is a step in the right direction especially for students who are keen on taking NCEA PE in the years to come. They gain skills that will help them in assessments and they build their prior knowledge bank, which equips them with the tool kit they need to step into NCEA Level 1. This is a shift that will aid in changing the mindset of the students as well as allow students make the most of all learning opportunities whether practical or theory. 

All I know is these students will be better equipped and prepared for NCEA PE in the future if they wish to take it. If they don't take PE, they will at least have had fun, learnt and practiced interpersonal skills, learnt how to reflect as well as strengthen basic literacy skills to transfer to other subjects. It is a Win,Win situation. Chur to that!!

Transfer the WAIRUA from PRACTICAL TO THEORY

"There it is"

Tamaki College 1st XV win their last game playing their best game of the season

Tamaki Girls team photo with their coaches Doris, Myles and Melenaite.

It has been a long and tough journey for the Tamaki College 1stXV girls team. We have had some tough times going down to teams with ample experience and skill at the top level. We have also had some great times and "hearty" games in front of our home crowd, displaying a quality game of girls rugby at secondary level. The bone crunching tackles, blockbusting runs and girls who are hungry to do their best for their sisters and their school. This was a spectacular to be apart of.

On Monday 7th August the girls played their last game and it was the best game of their season. They played a purpose driven Manurewa side who were as hungry as we were for the win. In preparation to this game we had full attendance at trainings and the mindset was that we were preparing for our final and that we were going to give it everything we had. As their coach this passion and commitment from the girls gives me purpose and was a culture that i think will flourish and get greater rewards in the near future.

At 4pm the game kicks off within 2 mins of the kick off whistle, the ball goes to our utility winger Alison Fifita who steps and delivers a fend to her opposing number, running 60metres to score the first try of the match. This talent was applauded by a highly impressed and excited crowd.Well into the game with both teams showing some great skill and execution.  Tamaki capitalise on some hard work from their forwards and they put their half back Maia Roos under the posts scoring another 5 pointer.  At half time the score was 10-0 to Tamaki College. 

As the ref blew the whistle for the second half Manurewa took no time and pushed for a try that came as a result of some awesome vision and footwork from their talented winger.  Within 5 mins they score again through their skilful backs and converted by a kick from their 1st five, which brought the score to 12-10 with Manurewa leading. Tamaki College were unfortunate to cop some injuries with their playmaker Teresa Dixon coming off with a shoulder injury as well as their blindside flanker Lydia Veatupu. Despite these injuries their sisters who came on from the bench kept the momentum going and made a huge impact especially on defence. The likes of Caroline Tea, Deandra Cooper and Lavinia Fatialofa making huge bone crunching tackles. Tamaki was hit hard when their skipper Mino Pamaka went down after a number of try saving tackles and runs that inspired her team to get up under pressure. Mino was taken off and I can only describe this moment as an unfortunate circumstance that became strategic inspiration for the team. As I was walking Mino off the field I could feel the hunger, passion and the want to win. The vibe just lifted and the girls desire was to play for their captain summed up by " lesgoo girls beast mode". Within 4 mins of their skipper coming off, Tamaki's co-captain Tupou Finepolo scores with a 30 metre run through Manurewa's red zone to dot down and put Tamaki in the lead 15-12. In the dying minutes both team still giving it their all until the ref blows the final whistle and Tamaki come away with a nail biting victory to finish their season.

Great crowd turnout, great display of rugby from both sides and smiles from 40+ girls after 50mins of physical grunt rugby. In my words that is a WIN for the game of rugby and growing the female game within the community. #growthegame #proudcoach #tamakipride #sisters

We want to thank our sponsors PaknSave, Tamaki development Trust as well as Tamaki College for the support. Also a huge thank you to all the parents, families and friends of the girls for your support this season. As the girls would say "is that us again next year".

               To god be the glory- Start and Finish with him. A culture that the girls have created.