Connect Week
Week 4, Term 3, 2025
4th - 7th of August
Connect Week is a chance for teachers to attend a short professional development session of their choice and to connect with teachers from other schools. Principals have agreed to limit other school meetings that week so that the PLD session should replace something else, rather than add to workload.
Registration is essential for these workshops. You may register for as many workshops as you like.
Monday 4th of August 2025
Two sessions start at 3:45pm and go through to 5:00, please be ready 5 min prior.
Implementing PR1ME Maths
This session begins with a refresher on the structure and pedagogy of PR1ME, reinforcing its role as a resource for explicit teaching of Maths. Mike will then show how PR1ME aligns with MOE expectations, our best fit model, and the new curriculum statements. Supplementary materials beyond the books will be highlighted, including a walkthrough of the alignment documents.
This session will dive into Math Pro—covering each tab’s function, how to locate supplementary resources to support curriculum alignment, and how to monitor student progress on the platform.
To wrap up the session, with a look ahead to 2026 and 2027, including ordering plans and upcoming developments, followed by a Q&A session.
The WARM Approach to Building a Restorative School Environment
Join us for a practical and insightful session led by Paul, our experienced PB4L advisor, as he shares the WARM approach to fostering a restorative school culture.
Paul has delivered several well-received workshops during Waimea Kāhui Connect Weeks, and we’re fortunate to have him back again this year.
This workshop is ideal for educators looking to strengthen restorative practices in their classrooms and across the school.
Kahnmingo Prerecord Session with Arnika Macphail
Join Arnika Macphail in a prerecord session exploring Kahnmingo, a dynamic tool designed to support classroom learning. In this session, Arnika walks through how teachers can use Khanmingo to create quick and easy content that can be used with students to support differentiation, and quick learning check ins.
Teachers are encouraged to watch the session at their convenience and consider how Kahnmingo might fit into their own classroom context. Whether you're looking to boost digital integration or refine your assessment strategies, this session offers practical insights and inspiration.
Tuesday 5th August 2025
Two sessions start at 3:45pm and go through to 5:00, please be ready 5 min prior.
Te Reo Māori in the Classroom 101
Facilitator:
Justin Neal
Principal Appleby School
Venue:
Appleby School
Discover how to confidently use Te Reo Māori in your classroom every day in this practical session led by the one and only Justin Neal, principal of Appleby School.
Justin is well known for his expertise and understanding of classroom realities, and is willing to share hands-on strategies and language that teachers can easily incorporate into their daily teaching.
Bridging the Gap: Strengthening Literacy from Years 6–8 to Meet Year 10 CAA Expectations
Facilitators:
Jenny Kneale
Waimea Kahui AST
Venue:
Waimea College R8 (downstairs)
A session aimed at Years 6–8 teachers, focusing on preparing students for the Common Assessment Activities (CAAs) for Literacy in Year 10.
The aim is to build understanding of the CAA expectations, how to backward map from them, and how to strengthen literacy in upper primary/intermediate years to support future success.
Teachers of years 9-10 are welcome to attend to share their experiences.
Structured Literacy in a Playbased Environment
Facilitators:Longworth Education Webinar
Venue:
Ranzau School
This webinar supports primary teachers to bring together the principles of Structured Literacy and learning through play—without compromising on either.
Rather than treating these approaches as opposites, this webinar shows how they can co-exist to support strong, child-centred literacy outcomes.
Wednesday 6th of August 2025
Two sessions start at 3:45pm and go through to 5:00, please be ready 5 min prior.
Learn how to engage Generation Z students - in particular Māori students and whanau - in future focussed education. Janelle will share what works, based on relevant research and also through the story of her own son in the NZ education system.
Computational Thinking is becoming an increasingly important skill in our increasingly digital world. At school computational thinking plays a part in the NZC in both Digital Technologies and Mathematics.
This workshop will give an overview of computational thinking in the Digital Technologies curriculum and how this integrates with Mathematics.
Teachers of all levels welcome. Classroom based content will be most useful for teachers over transition points of Years 5-10.
Trauma Informed Practice: What can we do today that will make a difference for all of our students?
Cath Dyson, RTLB, will give you an overview of Trauma-Informed Practice pedagogy and ensure you leave the session with strategies you can implement in your classroom immediately.
This will be an informative and practical session to empower you to feel equipped to meet your students' needs, whatever their background.
Thursday 7th August 2025
Two sessions start at 3:45pm and go through to 5:00, please be ready 5 min prior.
Structured Literacy in Action: Understanding BSLA Across Our Kāhui Ako
Facilitator:
- Rochelle Krammer & Candice Duke
(Richmond School - Phase 1 BSLA facilitators)
- TBC (Brightwater School - Phase 2 BSLA)
Venue:
Waimea College Library
Find out how structured literacy is shaping the learning journey across our Kāhui Ako. This session will explore the implementation of Phase 1 and Phase 2 structured literacy programmes in primary schools, with a particular focus on the widely adopted BSLA approach.
Hear firsthand from two of our schools about what this looks like in practice and what’s expected as students move through the programme. Designed especially for teachers of Years 7-13 who are keen to understand how structured literacy impacts students as they progress, this presentation offers valuable insights into supporting literacy development at every stage.
Connecting the Dots: Preparing Years 6–8 Students for Numeracy CAAs in Year 10
Facilitator:
Damian Campbell
Waimea Kahui AST
Venue:
R11 (Upstairs), Waimea College
A session aimed at Years 6–8 teachers, focusing on preparing students for the Common Assessment Activities (CAAs) for Numeracy in Year 10.
This session will give an opportunity for teachers to connect and discuss how what they teach connects with the CAA's.
Teachers of years 9-10 are welcome to attend to share their experiences.