Kura teachers graduate at Massey
Wharemako Paewai and Amy Todd, two teachers at Te Kura Kaupapa Ma¯ ori o Tamaki Nui A Rua, graduated from Massey University with a Te Aho Tatairangi Bachelor of Teaching/Ma¯ ori Diploma in Ma¯ ori Education last month.
Wharemako was awarded the Dame Katerina Te Heikoko Mataira Award for top student in the class.
Four years ago both enrolled in the programme, Wharemako directly from school and Amy after a career helping at kohanga reo and in reading recovery.
The course was extra-mural but requiring three four-week courses on the Massey campus, three placements in schools for teaching practice and lots of assignments.
Amy worked largely from home, raising five children at the same time as she was working in Te Kura while Wharemako spent two years living in Palmerston North.
Both found the programme rewarding, learning not only the skills of teaching but also a large number of cultural beliefs and practices pertaining to other iwi.
Amy had one placement at Whangaroa in Northland, finding the whole lifestyle very different.
The programme started with 24 students and 10 graduated in May.
Wharemako was surprised and delighted to be awarded the prize for top student.
Amy and Wharemako attended two ceremonies at the Regent Theatre — the formal Massey Graduation on Saturday and the special Ma¯ ori Graduation on Sunday, at which all the students of Te Kura Kaupapa Ma¯ ori O Tamaki Nui A Rua attended.
Seven past students have now graduated as teachers, two of them being including Amy’s brother Jordon and sister Emily. All graduates are children of present teachers at the school.
Principal Brian Paewai says it is part of his school’s policy to secure the future of teaching te reo by having students trained. Amy teaches year 4 and 5 and Wharemako teaches physical education, technology and kapa haka in the senior school. The other graduates have moved on to places like Taranaki and the Wairarapa, with their skills much in demand.
For Amy and Wharemako the transition from pupil to teacher at the school is a natural progression, giving back to their culture.