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Māori Medium – Transition to School

What was the project about?

In this project we set out to explore the transitions of tamariki and their whānau from two kōhanga reo settings to two kura kaupapa Māori settings in Christchurch. We wanted to find out: 

  • what whānau need to make informed decisions about a Māori medium pathway.
  • how kaiako, kōhanga reo and kura can effectively support tamariki and their whānau to make this transition. 

Download the research report here

For whānau the transition to kura can be an especially emotionally challenging decision. Taking a kaupapa Māori pathway enacts rangatiratanga, and reclaims and builds identity, language and culture. For many whānau this process happens alongside tamariki as they integrate into kōhanga and kura life. 

The Māori medium stream, Kia hoe tahi i te awa kōwhiria o ako – Mobilising whānau commitment to Māori medium pathways, which was: 

  • whānau-centred
  • focused on identifying the enablers and barriers for whānau and tamariki in maintaining a Māori medium pathway, and how the education ecosystem could support them.
What we learned

Transition is not the focus; it is the outcome. The focus instead needs to be on creating connections and engagement, hononga, across the whānau through incremental deliberate acts enabled by the kōhanga reo and the kura. (Researcher-facilitator reflection)

The research findings showed that effective transitions are based on creating and sustaining hononga (connections) with whānau and their tamariki. These were enabled through strengthening connections: 

  • between settings
  • to shared kaupapa
  • to identity as Māori
  • to develop knowledge and understanding
What we did – the pakirehua

Following the wānanga phase which gathered whānau and kaimahi (staff) voices around transition experiences, kaiako researchers paired up to undertake a collaborative inquiry. Each inquiry group was made up of one kōhanga and one kura.

The inquiry question we asked kaiako was:

How might we strengthen connections across the learning ecosystem, so that whānau are confident to commit to a Māori medium pathway for their tamariki-mokopuna?

Kaiako researchers looked at what improved transitions would look and feel like for tamariki, whānau, and between kōhanga and kura. Initiatives included:

  • Connecting with tamariki
  • Connecting with whānau
  • Connecting between kōhanga and kura

Ready to start your journey?

This action research project includes the experiences of tamariki, whānau, and educators in the transition to school process.

Connecting with tamariki
  • Kaiako kura visiting tamariki at kōhanga
  • Tamariki from kōhanga visiting kura
  • Tamariki kura designing books for teina in kōhanga to get ready for kura
Connecting with whānau
  • Wānanga ā-whānau around transitions
  • Kaiako kura attending kōhanga
  • Designing a book demonstrating key links between kōhanga and kura
Connecting between kōhanga and kura
  • Co-planning between kōhanga and kura
  • Shared professional learning between kōhanga and kura
  • Teaching tamariki from kōhanga waiata, pao, and karakia from kura


Watch these videos

Ngā aho paihere kaupapa

 

 

Te turaki taupā whakawhiti

 

 

Resources

Download the packs below - a 'how to support whānau and kura' guide with printable planning templates in reo and English, and helpful guiding questions (A3 sized infographic) in both reo and English with printable planning templates.`

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He aratohu

He aratohu e taunaki ana i te whakawhitinga atu i te kōhanga reo ki te kura (a guide that supports transition from kōhanga to kura)

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He pānui whakaahua

He pānui whakaahua e tuku ana i ētahi pātai whakahihiri whakaaro i a koutou e whakarite ana i ngā āhuatanga o te whakawhiti angitu

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Infographic

An infographic that shares questions to inspire thinking and planning for successful transitions