The purpose of this first hui was to :

Feedback on our Transition to School Capabilities document.
Collaboratively build upon our strategies for the collection of learner and whānau voice.
Share the Kahui roadmap for 2023 and explain ECE’s role in this mahi.

Our Transition to School Capabilities Document was trialled last year with ECE kaiako completing the document and sharing this with the New Entrant teachers prior to each learner starting school. There was overwhelmingly positive feedback from those who had been using the document and the New Entrant teachers commented on its value at the beginning of the school journey. Those who were yet to use the document were keen to trial doing so this year.

We spent time unpacking the barriers and strengths of the current process and these ideas will be collated and shared with the group. It was agreed that the Capabilities document provides a consistent approach and time will be allocated to review and revise its design and use as needs arise.

Kaiako then worked collaboratively to explore strategies for collecting voice in order to enhance the transition process. Whilst it was agreed that whānau and student voice is of key importance, it is often left out of the document itself.

Key ideas included

Time needs to be specifically allocated in order for effective voice collection to happen.
Continued attempts need to be made to endure there is enough voice collected.

The collated responses will be taken to the Kahui Leadership team to assist in the development of our Community Engagement Strategy. Attendees were asked to commit to trying at least one strategy before our next hui.

The presentation of the Kahui website and 2023 Roadmap was a great opportunity to share what is happening across the Kahui and highlight the importance of ECE voice in this process. Alongside the ongoing implementation of RBL practises within specific centres, all Across School groups now have at least one representative from our ECE colleagues.

Sue Hone then spoke to the group about her exciting new role as Curriculum Lead ECE for the Ministry of Education. We’re looking forward to Sue’s ongoing involvement especially as we continue to develop our coherent pathways for learning this year.

Our next hui will be held in May, when we will continue to explore best practise and skill development in early years literacy.