NZC Refresh - Te Mātaiaho

Recently, the New Zealand Curriculum underwent a refresh.  We discussed what this means for us as teachers and for our ākonga at our teacher only day.

Te Mātaiaho, is a framework that is rooted in the whakapapa of Aotearoa.  It was developed with the intention of laying out the kaupapa so that it can be sustained and provide a line of thinking, known as aho, for all ākonga in Aotearoa.

Te Mātaiaho is focused on strands that interplay between learning areas, creating a matrix that weaves together different elements.  The curriculum's name itself, Mātaiaho, is derived from Mātai, which means to observe or study.  It is a word that speaks to the importance of engaging with something in order to deepen one's understanding.

An important addition to the curriculum is the Aotearoa New Zealand's Histories in the NZC (ANZHC) document, which highlights the importance of understanding New Zealand's history.  History is a continuous thread, and people's actions today shape history tomorrow.  I think that the inclusion of this history curriculum reflects a growing recognition of the importance of acknowledging the impact of colonisation and the ongoing legacy of this history.

The curriculum content shows a move from an outcomes-focused curriculum to a progression-focused curriculum.  This new framework recognises the ways in which learners' knowledge, understanding, and capabilities grow and deepen over time.  The "Understand, Know, Do" structure encompasses the big ideas, rich contexts for exploring those big ideas, and practices that bring rigour to learning.

When these three things are woven together, they can create learning experiences that are deep and meaningful for all learners.  This approach can help teachers design learning experiences that interweave these elements, which should in turn make it easier for students to see themselves reflected in the curriculum.

What I took away from our session on Te Mātaiaho and the ANZHC, was that the refresh of the NZC, including the addition of the ANZHC, aims to ensure that all ākonga see themselves reflected in their education and have the opportunity to experience deep, meaningful learning that cannot be left to chance.

Ngā mihi Robyn and Daf for introducing and facilitating the learning of the curriculum refresh and the ANZHC content at our teacher only day.