Student-centred education practices highlighted at the PM’s awards

Flaxmere College was the biggest winner of the evening, taking home the Prime Minister’s Supreme Award – Takiri ko te ata and the Excellence in Teaching and Learning – Atatū Award.

Flaxmere College Principal Louise Anaru says, “it is our actions that define us as leaders – whakataukī ina te mahi, he rangatira. We’ve led this journey together, partnering with our students, our whānau, our wonderful teachers, staff and our community, to make a real difference for our community.

“It’s just so wonderful to know that our rangatahi Māori, our students from the Pacific, are achieving that equity and excellence, and they can go on to achieve their aspirations”.

Ministry of Education Deputy Secretary for Early Learning and Student Achievement Ellen MacGregor-Reid says, “The winners and finalists have set a high benchmark and are intent on making a difference for the children and young people in their communities.

“I congratulate all the winners and finalists. They represent an insight in to the excellent work going on in our schools, early learning services and communities.”

The Supreme Award winner received a total of $50,000 and an opportunity to represent New Zealand at an international education event. Other category winners received $20,000 and  a professional development opportunity.

“We celebrate this with all our staff, children, their parents and communities who have been very much a part of this journey. We also want to acknowledge those who’ve passed and those who’ve retired who began this journey, and hopefully they’re with us tonight.”

Toru Fetū Kindergarten Senior Manager Community and Participation, Lealamanu’a Aiga Caroline Mareko

 “We’re going to go on from here, we’re going to get agribusiness into as many schools as we can in New Zealand – a great driver for New Zealand’s economy in the future.”

St Paul’s Collegiate Deputy Headmaster (Academic) and Director of Agribusiness, Peter Hampton

 “We do what we do to ensure equity by providing the necessary support for those who do need it the most. We also need to challenge the status quo, which is often focused on competition, which often excludes those who also need it the most. [This is a] call for all schools and everybody in this room and in New Zealand to influence the power to provide student-centred wraparound support for all students. Because we can’t do it on our own.”

William Colenso College, Principal Daniel Murfitt

 “Our Te Ao Kapurangi initiative has transformed our school and ensures equity and excellence for all of our ākonga. This success acknowledges the outstanding work of our whole Rotorua Girls’ High School community.”

Rotorua Girls’ High School, Principal Ally Gibbons

 “We’d just like to thank our whole school community, our students, our whānau, our teachers, our mana whenua, our poutama pounamu, and for everyone just for partnering, working so hard to transform our kura to bring about equity and excellence for our rangatahi Māori, our Pacific students, all our students.”

Flaxmere College Principal Louise Anaru (accepting the Excellence in Teaching and Learning Award)

Winners of the 2018 Prime Minister’s Education Excellence Awards

Excellence in Governing – Rotorua Girls’ High School, Rotorua