M¯aori educational success ‘critical’
For Damon Ritai, Ma¯ ori achievement is a vital facet of New Zealand’s future.
After 12 years as principal at Frankley School, Damon Ritai left at the end of last year to take up a position as a Ma¯ ori Achieving Success as Ma¯ ori (MASAM) regional coordinator, one of three positions across the country.
He had previously been involved in the programme as a part-time principal facilitator, working with schools around Taranaki to help accelerate the achievement and development of Ma¯ori learners, who are often failed by the system.
‘‘For the future of New Zealand and the prosperity of New Zealand in 10, 15 years, it’s going to be critical for us that our Ma¯ ori students do succeed so our nation can be a good nation and a better nation,’’ he said.
‘‘It’s more of a holistic approach as well. It’s not just about reading, writing and maths; it’s about how we can include our wha¯ nau and community in our decisions, getting to know who they are, where they are from, how they are linked to iwi and hapu¯ .’’
Ritai said as a principal he had always looked at what he could do differently, but he could see there was a need for collaboration around Ma¯ ori learning.
‘‘I do think that our principals want to do better by Ma¯ori students – they just don’t know how to, and that’s where I can bridge that gap. It’s certainly made a big difference about the way children are feeling about being Ma¯ ori in their school.’’
MASAM is a collaboration between Te Akatea Ma¯ori Principals’ Association, the New Zealand Principals’ Federation and the Ministry of Education, and the role involves supporting schools to understand the learning needs and best teaching practices to help Ma¯ ori students achieve to their potential.
Ritai left Frankley School at the end of last year and said he would definitely miss it.
‘‘The children always come to school ready to learn, and that is the special nature of our school.’’
Frankley School will hold a special assembly and hangi tomorrow as a farewell.