Educators on board as learning forges ahead in new waka

Busy:Dannevirke South School students Azareah Michielsen and Mya McCutcheon at the launch of the Dannevirke Community of Learning in the high school hall. Reporter: Christine McKay Ph

Dannevirke's Community of Learning is a positive forum, Jo Brown, of Tararua REAP, says.

"It's about professional development and working on smoother transitions for early childhood children into primary schools and ultimately high school and about shared understandings and practices," she told the Dannevirke News.

Jo, a passionate educator, said the first five years was all about building a brain. Stephen Snell, Dannevirke South School principal and lead principal for the Dannevirke CoL, emphasised the importance of incorporating early childhood centres in the group.

"We're unique in that we're the first to fully involve early childhood centres," he said.

Mr Snell said the emphasis of the CoL is on the children.

"I was a pretty good kid at school, but I never knew where I was heading and it took a few years of mucking around after school, before I knew which direction I was heading," he said.

"The CoL is about trying to give our students a pathway to the future, with a marvellous progression from early childhood education, to primary school and through to high school and careers.

"We want to give kids an idea of what's possible. In Dannevirke we have experts and top educators who are future focused on improving learning for our kids."

At the launch evening, Brian Paewai, principal of Te Kura Kaupapa Maori O Tamaki Nui-a-Rua, said the CoL was about education heading off in a new waka.

"I wish you a safe and successful journey," he said as part of his karakia.

Robyn Forsyth, principal of Huia Range School, said it was important students were recognised as individuals and the CoL wasn't about one size fitting all.

The launch was supported by all Dannevirke primary schools who focused on learning for separate year groups, along with early childhood centres and the Dannevirke High School.

Jann Marshall, the Ministry of Education director for Taranaki, Whanganui and Manawatu, is enthusiastic about CoLs.

"There's been a $359 million investment by the Government to ensure pathways are seamless for students," she said.

"Early childhood centres and schools working in a CoL ensures students have quality education as well as contributions from the wider community.

"In New Zealand we have fabulous teaching staff and we need to see how we can improve our quality education system."

Ms Marshall said it was critical the CoL is seen as a partnership.

"We want to ensure great outcomes for children and young people."