Kelburn Normal School
Region: Wellington
Art form: Multi-disciplinary
Project name: Performing Maui
Creative name: Rawiri Hindle, Bert Van Dijk
Project information:
Outcomes for students and ākonga: The syndicates in the junior and senior schools developed plays based on a Māui legend and performed them for the school and parents and whānau. Tamariki worked in an inclusive environment where they were able to draw on their ideas and experiences and be appreciated by others. They became confident in arts and literacy practices that enabled them to whakamana and develop their strengths and language creatively. Peer-to-peer and tuakana-teina relationships were strengthened. The whole school became an audience for each other’s performances, all of which were distinctive and expressive. Teachers were pleased that they were so affirming of each other’s plays. In this way the whānaungatanga was strengthened across all age groups and cultures, and in particular, our Māori and Pasifika tamariki felt proud because their culture and identity was recognised.
Outcomes for teachers and kaiako: The programme enabled teachers to make connections between this creative project and the school’s practice-based research. It allowed the creatives and teachers to share their knowledge and what they could do with other collaborators. A reflective dimension was recorded on an ongoing teacher forum. The overall theme was the increased confidence and capacity of teachers to incorporate Ngā Toi in their programmes to make them more culturally responsive and to enable children to whakamana and express their own voices and identity.
Outcomes for creatives: Participation in the project taught the creatives much about the complexities of a school community. It was encouraging to see the commitment to uphold and include Māori language and perspectives within Kelburn Normal School and as a part of the project. Arts-based processes require different time management than educational systems appear to be able to provide. During the project, there was tension between the time the creative process required and the time the school was able to provide, which led to some compromises in the creative process. Although significant growth and transformation occurred, ultimately the process became more outcome-driven, allowing less time for exploration and flow to occur.
Outcomes for parents and whānau: Our creative and a group of teachers offered a workshop to parents and community that introduced te ao Māori and the programmes connected to it. He gave an in-depth presentation that was supported by examples of current classroom learning in each area of the school. At the performances there were good turnouts of parents and whānau, who watched enthusiastically.
Project status: Completed
Links:
- Tupu - Performing Maui - Rua
- Performing Maui - Rasmussen
- Māia Munn - Performing Maui
- Performing Maui: Some reflections from year 7&8 students
- Te Ara Tupu - year 1 & 2 Performing Maui Reflections T4 2020
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