Spotlight on the Curriculum: Kōrerotia ngā reo!!

This term has been all about speaking up, stepping forward, and embracing the challenge of communication across languages. From classroom presentations to high-stakes competitions, our students have been putting their language skills to the test and showcasing just how much they have learned.

For our senior German and Spanish students, the spotlight has been firmly on their Level 2 IB Individual Orals (IOs) which is one of the most significant assessments of the year. In this demanding task, students must deliver a presentation and engage in a 15 minute discussion entirely in their target language, using unseen images as a starting point. With much of the conversation being spontaneous, students are required to think quickly, communicate confidently, and draw on years of vocabulary and grammar learning in real time.

Worth 25% of their final grade, the IO is no small feat. The preparation, dedication, and courage required to succeed are immense, and we congratulate all students who completed their assessments this week. Ka rawe, e tama mā!

Our junior language learners have also been finding their voices. German students recently completed a football-themed assignment, while Year 9 Māori students proudly presented their Famous Person speeches. These projects have provided valuable opportunities to build confidence, strengthen pronunciation, and deepen cultural understanding. It has been fantastic to see students embracing new challenges and growing as communicators.

The term concluded on a particularly high note in te ao Māori with outstanding success at the regional Ngā Manu Kōrero speech competition. Representing the school with distinction, Oliver Brown competed in the Junior Māori section, delivering a powerful 10-minute speech in te reo Māori on environmental issues. Noah Konia spoke in the Junior English section, tackling the timely topic of AI tutors and their potential risks. Both students captivated audiences without the aid of cue cards and showed an impressive demonstration of preparation, confidence, and skill. Poho kererū katoa!

Adding to the celebrations, Kura Stevens was awarded first place in the Korimako (Senior English) section with his thought-provoking speech, “Home – A Place Your Soul Bookmarks.” His success has earned him a place at the national finals in Kaikohe at the end of Term 3, where he will be supported by a small team of kaitautoko.

We are incredibly proud of all our language learners this term. Whether speaking in German, Spanish, or te reo Māori, they have demonstrated courage, commitment, and the power of finding their voice.