Bilingual class coming to Kapiti school
Paraparaumu School are starting a bilingual te reo Maori primary school class, in a bid to revitalise the language in the district.
The class will feature the current New Zealand curriculum taught in English, but with a Maori world view. Currently, no class of its kind is offered between Paekakariki and Otaki.
Teacher Gina Sarich says it will 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).
Sarich says the class will be open to year 0 to 3 students – ideally with a roll of about 20 – and will begin in term one next year.
Pupils from other schools will be able to enrol in the class.
The school is hosting an information evening to gauge interest next month.
Local kaumatua Koro Don Te Maipi approached the school with the idea about 18 months ago.
Paraparaumu School has a roll of 215, with 62 of Maori descent, but Sarich says the class would fill a need around Kapiti too. ‘‘There are very few children in Kapiti that are fluent speakers of te reo. It’ll provide them a chance to reconnect with being Maori.’’
Currently, the only local options for children graduating from Te Kohanga Reo, a Maori immersion facility for pre-school children in Raumati South, are programmes in Otaki.
School principal Steven Caldwell says research into bilingual teaching shows it has positive results. ‘‘One issue parents have is that one language suffers. That won’t happen. If you’re learning two languages in this structure, it enhances both languages.’’
He says the class will be integrated into extracurricular activities and school life like any other subject.
In the future, the school hopes to form more classes, or even a whanau hub, which would allow family members to learn the language alongside their children.
Sarich has a bilingual diploma of teaching, and has worked in a bilingual programme at Wiri Central School in Auckland for almost six years.
Caldwell ran a bilingual unit while principal at Titahi Bay North School. Thursday, August 4; from 7pm at Paraparaumu School hall. All are welcome.