Kāhui Ako Update

It’s hard to believe another term has flown by! Term 3 has been a full and exciting one across SECKA, with plenty to celebrate and reflect on.

This term has seen Numeracy and Literacy professional development run through our Kāhui Ako, providing valuable opportunities for kaiako to grow and share expertise. We also came together for our incredible Kapa Haka Festival, a true highlight of the term that showcased the talent, pride, and wairua of our ākonga.

Alongside these events, Term 3 has also been a time of future planning, as SECKA principals have been considering what collaboration might look like moving forward as our Kāhui Ako draws to a close. The commitment to working together for the benefit of all ākonga remains at the heart of these conversations.

A huge thank you to all of our teachers and staff for your mahi, energy, and dedication throughout this busy term. Your work continues to make a difference in the lives of our learners.

Numeracy Unconference

SECKA Numeracy Unconference: Sharing Practice, Building Partnerships 

With our schools now well into their Science of Maths journeys, the timing was perfect to come together and share classroom insights, successes, and practical strategies.

On Thursday 21 August, kaiako from across SECKA gathered at Elim Golflands Campus for the first-ever SECKA Numeracy Unconference—a professional learning opportunity with a difference. Unlike traditional conferences, the unconference format encouraged a relaxed, collegial atmosphere where teachers led sessions based on practices that have truly made an impact in their classrooms.

The afternoon began with a thought-provoking keynote from Neil Scott (RTLB) looking at Practical Considerations to Consider When Implementing a Mastery Approach. Neil shared practical insights and key steps for implementation, reminding us of the importance of giving learners the time, support, and structure needed to develop deep, connected understanding in numeracy. His presentation set the tone for an afternoon of purposeful and reflective learning.

Following the keynote, kaiako engaged in a range of teacher-led sessions showcasing strategies and resources already making a difference in SECKA classrooms:

• Andrea Begunk (SMC) – Technology tools for teaching, including Pomegranate.
  
  

• Jessica Robinson (St Mark's) – Extending students in whole-class environments.
  
  

• Ashleigh D'Cruz (SMCPS) – The role of oracy in Mathematics.
  
  

• Ailsa Thorpe & Laura Bentley (OLSOS) – The Power of Preteaching.
  
  

• Larissa Schick (Elim – Golflands) – Effective intervention resources.
  
  

• Sarah Danny (St Mark's) – The importance of the Concrete–Pictorial–Abstract (CPA) approach.
  
  

• Angela Butcher & Trish Hodgson (St Mark's) – Creative approaches to MNP Foundations.
  
  

• Angeline Hubert & Matthew Schollum (Elim – Golflands) – Using Numeracy Common Assessment Activities (Co-Req).
  
  

Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive. 100% of attendees indicated that the content of our Guest Speaker, Neil Scott, was both informative and of benefit to them. In addition, 100% of respondents also found the workshops to be informative and beneficial, highlighting the value of the collaborative sharing that took place.

The unconference proved to be more than just a sharing of strategies—it was an affirmation of the power of collaboration. Kaiako left feeling inspired, equipped with fresh ideas, and encouraged by the collective wisdom across our Kāhui Ako.

As we continue our Science of Maths journeys, the learning and connections made through the SECKA Numeracy Unconference will help shape stronger, more effective pathways for our ākonga.

Click the link below to access the Numeracy Unconference website, where you can view the slideshows from all of the presentations shared during the afternoon.