New history curriculum brings benefits
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Rangiora High School is leading the way in adopting the new history curriculum.
The Aotearoa New Zealand history curriculum was introduced in term one this year, but Rangiora High School began implementing some of the new curriculum last year in collaboration with its partner Pūketeraki Kahui Ako (community of learning) schools.
"It was launched as a document last year and we started working around it late last year, and we have implemented more of it this year," social sciences leader of learning Rebecca Sweney-McKee said.
"We were the first off the rack for years 1 to 10 and we are leading the way."
Schools have until 2026 to fully embed the new curriculum, which is integrated into social studies for years 1 to 10, while the NCEA Level 1, 2 and 3 history curriculum has also been refreshed.
Sweney-McKee said the benefit of working collaboratively across the Kahui Ako meant there was some consistency in learning across the schools.
The Pūketeraki Kahui Ako schools were now teaching the background to the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in years 7 and 8, meaning the focus at high school could move on to "what happened next".
She said the new Aotearoa New Zealand history curriculum was not all about Māori history.
"But Māori history is given more of a focus and an equal status."
Rangiora High School’s year 9 and 10 students were learning about topics such as the New Zealand Land Wars, the Waitangi Tribunal, Bastion Point, the Dawn Raids, the 1981 Springbok tour, the nuclear free movement and the recent Ihumātao land settlement.
"And in a few years time we might be looking at things like Covid."
While it was mostly New Zealand history, there was plenty of scope for some international context.
"The year 10s have been doing social action for human rights looking at Rosa Parks and the bus boycotts alongside Bastion Point.
"And you can’t look at the Springbok tour without the context of what was happening in South Africa."
With the focus on climate change, the year 9s were learning about social action for the environment, looking at degradation in general and from a Māori kaitiakitanga perspective.
Sweney-McKee said the school was rebuilding its social science curriculum, with good support for its NCEA history classes.
"It is becoming more relevant and for people considering law degrees, it is going to set students up with a really good foundational understanding of our history and the development of human rights.
"If you can understand how people form their views and why they have them, you can function better in society."
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Hero
“I was born and raised in war. To be honest, those are not good memories.
I really like Iran, and I really miss it, but I couldn’t be myself there. Even though my family didn’t like my decision, I left Iran. I promised myself that I would do whatever I can for all communities, especially for the kids, so they do not have the same experience I had.
I studied software engineering in Iran and left in 2006. I went to Malaysia and stayed in Kuala Lumpur for seven years. I was admitted to Lincoln University to do my PhD here, but unfortunately, I couldn’t afford the expenses. I requested a scholarship, but they told me I had to be there for six months first. So, I stayed in Malaysia and did my PhD in network security. In December 2013, I came to New Zealand with a work visa.
It took me a while to connect with the Iranian community here. I volunteered with the Multicultural Council, SPCA, and community patrol, and I established the Christchurch Iranian Society in 2017. Before that, I started working on Radio Toranj, the only Farsi-language radio show in New Zealand.
One of the reasons I started organizing cultural events was to showcase Iranian culture. I wanted to show people that we have delicious food, colorful dresses, traditional customs, and our own instruments. My hope was to show people that we are not what you see in the media.
I am working to involve all the communities that celebrate Nowruz, the Persian New Year, in the Nowruz festival in March 2025. We want to share this celebration not only with our community but with the public as well. It’s better when it’s shared.
I remember the first time someone from Dunedin called me and asked, Hero, can you help? Something happened, and they keep declining Iranian visa applications. When I heard that, I felt insulted. We are still human, so how can they do that?
Through this journey, I’ve learned a lot. Every single day, people with different cases call me, and I try to share my knowledge and guide them as much as I can.
I have received several awards, including the Christchurch Civic Award and an Award of Recognition for my contributions to the community during the pandemic. In 2021, I established Canterbury Kia Ora Academy, a charitable trust. Through this charity, I can help other communities as well, not just the Iranian community.”
- Hero
View more stories, or nominate someone: @humansofchch
www.humansofchch.org......
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