The role of values in the Covid-19 pandemic

Finding ourselves in a global COVID-19 pandemic crisis is catastrophic enough without the challenge of providing quality-learning programmes for students at home in lockdown.

They say however, that the greatest clarity often comes in times of crisis and this is certainly the case for me as a school and cluster leader.  The clarity is overwhelming when I reflect on the strategic move some of us in Papakura and many of us across the country made to join Manaiakalani as an Outreach Cluster. It is with incredible relief, tremendous satisfaction and sincere gratitude that I reflect on our Edmund Hillary School education journey over the past six years and our readiness to meet the challenges of the current crisis.

The weeks of lockdown have provided many opportunities for me to appreciate and ponder at a deep level, the key values that are so precious at a time like this.   

Kaitiakitanga in our education context is about resource and kaitiaki pertains to those who have provided and nurtured that resource for us as educators of our young people.  I acknowledge the Kaitiaki of Manaiakalani, Pat Snedden Trust Chair, Dorothy and Russel Burt, Jenny Oxley and their team who have guided, supported and watched over us throughout our entire digital learning journey.  I acknowledge the Kaitiaki of Kootuitui ki Papakura especially foundation Chair Leigh Auton and CEO Angela Gattung and the whanau who have worked tirelessly to weave together the strands of our programme. 

The key value of Rangatiratanga aptly represents the way our leaders have paved the way with conviction, passion and high-level expertise to ensure we are more than prepared for the unexpected. 

 Manaakitanga is yet another of those values.  Simply put, it is about giving mana- to what you say. The countless opportunities to meet and engage in the Learn, Create, Share pedagogy together as Manaiakalani and Kootuitui members have given us a shared sense of empowerment and clarity about what really matters in the pursuit of excellence for our learners.  

Last but by no means, least is the shared value of whanaungatanga and represents the way the combined values have given those of us fortunate enough to be whanau of both Manaiakalani and Kootuitui the same conviction, passion and high-level expertise, demonstrated by our leaders. It is the guarantee needed for successful and equitable outcomes for students and whanau and is encapsulated in the words of the great Tainui leader Te Puea Herangi

Mahia te mahi, hei painga mo te iwi. Maanakitia te iwi, whangaingia te tangata. Kia mau ki te aroha me te rangimarie.

Tena koutou katoa.