We were able to observe through the University of Canterbury one- metre telescope and do some planet watching led by class member Alan Viles. The field trip fulfilled a requirement for the aspect of astronomy assessment and gave the opportunity to add detail to both the atmospheric and geological components of the Level 3 course. This field trip was, once again, a highlight of the year for the students involved. The applied nature of Earth & Space Science means that field work is an integral component of this subject. The support of all three science technicians and access to the resources of the Physics Department has made the practical aspect of Earth & Space Science possible. Anna Johnston TiC Earth & Space Science TE REO MAˉORI It has been a great year for the newly formed Maˉori & Indigenous Studies Department. We began our year by welcoming our new whaˉnau and aˉkonga to the school with a mihi whakatau on the Quad. It is such a wonderful occasion and always a pleasure to welcome new whaˉnau and their sons to College. We are very grateful to have such supportive parents and wider whaˉnau who are keen to ensure kaupapa Maˉori at College is clearly accessible and thriving. We are always keen to build our own understanding here at College and to look at ways to improve Te reo Maˉori me oˉna tikanga. By holding regular whaˉnau hui we are able to receive feedback and advice from our whaˉnau in order to improve our basic practice and alignment with traditional practice. We have been excited to see our numbers growing with kapa haka attendance and it was a lovely morning connecting with whaˉnau at the kapa haka breakfast launch the following day. This was another great opportunity to welcome our new and existing whaˉnau to the Dining Hall to share a meal and celebrate the start of the
year with a performance from the boys. Another way in which we can develop the students is by giving them the opportunity to learn from Matua Te Huaki, who is an amazing tutor. His commitment to kapa haka and tikanga and the support that we receive from his father, Wiremu, and mother, Tihi, is second to none. It is always special being together as a College community and hearing the boys perform haka and waiata together. We continued the momentum from this event into our first whaˉnau hui with a smaller group of parents coming together to help build the capacity of the school. As a group, we are always looking towards the future. The main focus being on growing the students and giving them opportunities to experience Te Ao Maˉori and enhance its use within our College community. We continue to work closely with the Modern Languages Department and those relationships remain strong and vibrant. As a department, we have been fortunate to have Matua Field and Matua Everingham, who have laid the foundation in the junior area. Both teachers bring a wealth of knowledge, experience, enthusiasm, and we are truly grateful for their commitment over the years. We have also seen growth in our class numbers and more and more students are choosing Te reo Maˉori as a subject here at the College. We have almost doubled our classes in the senior school for 2024 and for the first time this year we had one student doing Level 3 Te reo Maˉori and a Year 9 student (Kiniwai Morgan) who is working at Level 2 Te reo Maˉori. We continue to build our programmes, which include developing the students’ ability to read, write, and, most importantly, speak confidently and competently in Te reo Maˉori. We are always looking for new and innovative ways to meet the needs of the students, whanau, and our wider community. This has been made possible by the expertise we have within the whaˉnau, other outside providers, and also utilising the networks and relationships that have been established to provide a robust learning context for our aˉkonga.
We represented the school with pride at our first Ngaˉ Manu Koˉrero competition this year, with three outstanding speakers – Kiniwai Morgan (Junior Maˉori 4th place), Cole Moffatt (Junior English 7th place), and Alexander De Luca (Senior English 9th place). These three students have set a solid platform for us as a College to build on and continue to promote Christs College as a school that is more than willing to get involved in Kaupapa Maˉori and to stand with confidence in the community. Our numbers in kapa haka are currently bursting at the seams, with a roˉpuˉ of 50–60 members. These dedicated students were also able to begin a legacy here at College by being the first group to stand at the recent Tuˉhono Kapa haka competition at the Town Hall. They even managed to come away with a couple of awards for junior guitarist and best novelty item, which was the icing on an already impressive cake. As a department we continue to grow and next year we will be adding another member to our ranks, Matua O’Leary. He will bring enthusiasm and energy, and will be a welcome addition to a growing department. We have been so proud of our leadership group for our Bicultural committee (Te Roˉpuˉ Tikanga Rua) and particularly our leader for 2023, Jack Mckenzie, who recently gained a scholarship to the University of Otago. He and the other members of the group did a great job organising activities for Te Wiki o Te reo Maˉori and also led a fantastic Matariki assembly. This year also featured the introduction of kapa haka Colours to the school profile and it was great to acknowledge former students Charlie Eglinton and Oli Aikawa, and current student Jack Mckenzie for their commitment and dedication. These students, with the support of staff and whaˉnau, continue to look for new and innovative ways to incorporate more Maˉori and Pasifika initiatives into everyday school life. Keri Campbell HoD Te Reo Maˉori & Indigenous Studies
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