Teachers to be schooled in te reo

Shaun Douglas, the new bilingual unit facilitator, with Owhata School pupils. Photo / Ben Fraser

A mainstream Rotorua school is ensuring all its teachers can speak te reo Maori in an effort to better reflect its community.

Owhata School teachers will be taking te reo Maori classes this year as part of their development as educators.

According to its 2014 Education Review Office report, 90 per cent of Owhata School pupils identify as Maori, compared to eight per cent European and two per cent Cook Island Maori.

Principal Bob Stiles said all staff were on board with the initiative.

"The staff have shown a keen interest in learning te reo Maori because the Maori culture is so dominant in this community."

He said the school had been working closely with hapu (family) of Owhata Marae who had been developing education strategies for their people.

"Part of their strategy is to not only increase the level of te reo spoken in schools but also to share their stories so that we can all develop a deeper understanding of local Maori knowledge."

The facilitator for the programme will be Waikato University Institute of Professional Learning facilitator Merimeri Anania.

The school also provides bilingual education as an option and currently accommodates 53 pupils in three bilingual classes.

"We had two bilingual classes but the demand was so high we've decided to open a third class this year," Mr Stiles said.

"The appointment of a kaupapa Maori associate principal, Matua Shaun Douglas, will not only guide kaupapa Maori in the school but will also head the bilingual unit, Iriirikapua.

"We are really excited to have a kaiako [teacher] and senior leader of his ability working at Owhata and I know that our whanau are thrilled to have him back working in our community again," Mr Stiles said.