Talk of Treaty easing classroom ‘chaos’
"It's good so everybody follows rules, and you don't hurt anybody's feelings." Alex Brooks, 9
Learning about New Zealand’s founding document is combined with creating treaties of smaller status at Milson School.
But they’re not any less important for the kids forming the agreements.
To help pupils settle into their new classes they have been talking with their teachers about good behaviour and what they want in their treaties.
Milson School principal Vanessa Pitt said the exercise was the perfect time to talk about the Treaty of Waitangi, and what it means.
‘‘It’s such an important part of our history. They know there’s a holiday. In my experience [what pupils know] is pretty hit and miss.’’
Talia Karaitiana, 9, said the Treaty was one of the most important documents in the world.
‘‘My koko [grandfather] is the one I get most of my Maori knowledge from. He says in the olden days his dad used to tell him about stuff like that. It’s important so we don’t forget about what’s happened in history.’’
Meihana Takurua, 9, said the Treaty was ‘‘ridiculously important’’.
‘‘If they didn’t have it the British would have killed the people that were our great aunts and uncles. The Treaty’s the same as the law. It’s working, except most people still do break rules from the Treaty these days, and the laws.’’
Alex Brooks, 9, said her class treaty stopped people being mean to each other.
‘‘It’s good so everybody follows rules, and you don’t hurt anybody’s feelings.
The Treaty of Waitangi was also about people getting on by following rules, she said. Her family often went to a festival on February 6, and has a big dinner together.
Kaire Kirikiri, 10, said it was important for people to agree to stick to the rules of the Treaty of Waitangi, and all treaties.
‘‘It’s important because if no one does, in our class it would be chaos.’’
After talking about Treaty ideas with classmates he said agreeing on the rules was important.