School offers bilingual class

Paraparaumu School is starting a bilingual te reo Maori primary school class, in a bid to revitalise the language in the district.

The class will feature the New Zealand curriculum taught in English, but with a Maori world view. Currently, no class of its kind is offered between Paekakariki and Otaki.

Gina Sarich, who will teach the class, said it would involve ‘‘between 30 and 50 per cent Maori immersion’’.

Most class interactions outside of the curriculum would be in Maori, with a focus on customs such as karakia (prayers), mihimihi (introductions) and waiata (songs).

The class would be open up to Year 3 students, ideally with a roll of about 20, and would begin in term 1 next year.

Students from other schools will be able to enrol in the class and the school is hosting an information evening to gauge interest next month.

Paraparaumu School has a roll of 215, with 62 of Maori descent, but Sarich said the class would fill a need around Kapiti too.

School principal Steven Caldwell said research into bilingual teaching showed it was having positive results.

’’If you’re learning two languages in this structure, it enhances both languages.’’

The class would be integrated into extracurricular activities.

The information evening is on Thursday, August 4, 7pm at the Paraparaumu School hall.