EDUCATION: WESTLAKE BOYS
Minister Kelvin Davis and Northcote MP Shanan Halbert with Te Rumaki students.
Te Whānau Rūmaki o Te Puna opening Tēnā koutou kātoa! This year marks the inaugural year of Te Whānau Rūmaki o Te Puna - our Māori immersion class First and foremost, the main purpose of any Māori medium setting is the revitalisation of the Māori language. Associate Minister of Education Kelvin Davis recently announced new pathways for Māori medium education; therefore the timing of the establishment of our rūmaki class is significant. There are currently only three other Māori medium programmes Minister Davis listens to students say their pepeha. on Te Rakipaewhenua (North Shore). Te Puna tāngata! On Wednesday 23rd February we were pleased to welcome Te Puna oranga! Associate Minister Davis to Westlake Boys as he spent time with Te Puna Māori mana motuhake e! our Te Whānau Rūmaki students, chatting to them, answering their Tūwhitia te hopo! questions and finding out more about this foundation class. Mauri ora nui Research has shown that if a child’s culture, language, and cultural Johnny Waititi practices are at the centre of their learning, it is more likely they will Te Kaihautū o Te Puna
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Issue 129 - April 2022 www.channelmag.co.nz
achieve their educational aspirations and those of their whānau. Hence the significance of having such a class at Westlake Boys. Māori students make up around 10% of our total school roll. We wanted to make a difference to the educational lives of our Māori students, and Te Whānau Rūmaki o Te Puna is another important step in Westlake Boys High School realising its full bicultural potential.
