Tiomai's Learning Journey

 22T1W1 First week done and dusted. Although they were only 2 days, it was great to meet my students and start getting to know them and vice versa. Prior to school starting, I had emailed students' parents introducing myself on the 1st. When the doors opened on Thursday, parents were not present as we are in Orange of the traffic light restricting parents from entering the school. As sad as it was unable to put a face to parents that have made contact so far, it was wonderful to meet the children.

Uniform expectations - black sandals, plain black shorts for PE Prizegiving - ? Devices for Home learning/ Lockdown - Middle/ Senior classes Before school - students should go straight to their classroom when gates open. After school, the gates will be locked at 3, no hanging about in the play/ school grounds. Duties - low on staff members, help out where/ if they can.

A great understanding of Te Ao Maori was revealed in this PD, specifically how in a sense there is a similarity between the Catholic faith and Maori spirituality. Māori Spirituality stems from their mythology of the Creation of the world.  "Te Kore" nothingness - although there is little, there is something "Io" Supreme Force that created everything - equivalent to God Ranginui and Papātuānuku - In a tight embrace Tamariki - *atua ( Tāne mahuta, Tangaroa, Rūaomoko, Rongo, etc...) - In between their parents "Te Ao Marama" Separation of Rangi and Papā - "Let there be light" Genesis. The concept of (Gods') time differs from our understanding of time. It says it took six days to create the world - e.g. Gods' minute = million years. No one fully understands how long it took to create the world.

Prior to this engagement, I was both excited and nervous. However, as the meeting progressed I gradually felt overwhelmed and began to feel I was in over my head. It was a lot to take in and process. My mentor was great and had already made templates and plans for both J and me. I think my dilemma was it was too much in one sitting, so instead of making inputs during the meeting, I sat back and listened and asked questions about what I didn't understand. In saying that, there is much I need to get familiar with in terms of the school's local curriculum and the pedagogies that the school is utilising within the school. My next steps: View and familiarise myself with the HCCS local curriculum (Year 2) View and familiarise myself with Stephen Graham's writing (Year 2) View and familiarise myself with DMIC (Year 2)