after deciding to axe whānau class
A parent believes an Invercargill primary school’s decision to axe a whānau class for its students is a backward step, but the school disagrees.
Parent Vanessa Shanks (Ngāi Tahu) said the full-time whānau class at Invercargill Middle School was different to the other classes in the school. Its year 4 to 6 students choose to be in it to learn in te reo Māori and English and learn about the culture, history and stories of Māori people.
The class had given many children “belonging” with its whānau approach and te reo and te ao Māori focus. Its customs included not wearing shoes in the classroom and doing karakia before morning tea and lunch, she said.
“Closing the class feels like a step back in time and a huge loss to the community.”
Link to video and article: School rejects criticism after deciding to axe whānau class | Stuff.co.nz
