Gate

Mangonui School acknowledges the uniqueness of Maori and the bicultural heritage of New Zealand. Therefore,the Treaty of Waitangi underpins the development and the implementation of all school policies and procedures.

Community partnership

Mangonui School will work with the school's communities to develop and make known policies, plans and targets for educational achievement and to enhance relationships between the school and its communities:

To ensure that Maori are fully represented and involved in school governance
To set the direction for education of Maori students
A Whanau focus group is called on to express their whakaaro pertaining to Maori issues and interests; e.g. school strategic plan
The school will hold regular events to bring together staff, students, parents and whanau to participate in and celebrate or develop plans; e.g. three way conference, sports, fund-raising, class trips and activities, Grand-parents days
The school will develop and extend communication and consultation networks with local iwi; e.g. with focus groups, runanga, nga marae o Ngati Kahu, Te Reo o Te Tai Tokerau, Te Kohanga Reo and Ngati Kahu Social Services. In 2003, consultation on defining tikanga for the school will start

(Refer also to NAG 1 self review documentation)

Curriculum Delivery

Mangonui School policies:

Reflect New Zealand's cultural diversity and the unique position of the Maori culture
Ensure that all reasonable steps are taken to provide instruction in tikanga Maori and te reo Maori for full time students whose parents ask for it (Ed Stds Act 2001) and curricula and programmes incorporate te reo me ona tikanga, enabling all children to understand, respect and show sensitivity for Tikanga Maori
From 2003, all students will participate in Te Reo and Kapa Haka programmes offered at school
The school curriculum will help students to develop values and beliefs and to respect and be sensitive to values and attitudes which are different from their own

Personnel

The school will provide training opportunities to enable staff to develop relevant skills in Taha Maori:

Local role models; e.g. kuia and kaumatua, suitable community resource people (nga tangata / wahine toa, matatau hoki, i roto i ana mahi) are encouraged to visit and participate in school activities
Funds are set aside for Personal Development for staff and B.O.T. members.

Health and Safety

The school will provide a culturally friendly school environment for students, staff and parents / broader community:

Mangonui School provides a physical environment that displays Taha Maori; e.g. children's work, posters, school gate, library display, bilingual signs, bush area, he pou rahui (red flags in sandpit)
(Refer also to curriculum delivery policies)
The school will provide a welcoming atmosphere; e.g. by endeavouring to pronounce Te Reo correctly and with school assembly kaupapa

Finance and Property

A Maori Rep on the B.O.T. is elected through a process of consultation with whanau. The school house is available to the rumaki teacher second only to the principal.

Curriculum delivery

The school will be involved in Te Rito project 2002 - 2006. A plan to sustain Te Reo o te Tai Tokerau will be in place by the 2006 strategic plan (see Te Rito project documentation):

As long as it is requested and supported by parents the rumaki will continue. Aspects of taha maori will be part of daily classroom programmes
The school will provide opportunities to learn in settings where Maori cultural knowledge and skills are relevant; e.g. Kapa Haka, powhiri and poroporoaki, school assemblies, hangi, marae visits, trips and hosting opportunities (manuhiri and tangata whenua roles), weaving and other craft work, kuia and kaumatua visits and about local maori history and cultural traditions
Funds will be set aside to provide resources for classrooms
Reading materials in Te Reo are available to all students
Values which are an important part of our school culture will be reinforced and developed as part of curriculum delivery