Tutor profiles

KOKA LILLIE SIMMONS
Ngāti Porou & Ngāti Tuwharetoa

Seeing coloured pencils for the first time was an overwhelming experience that Koka Lillie will never forget.

The pencils and, much to her amazement, pencil cases were a big change for the 10-year-old Lillie who came to Wellington from the East Coast in 1959. Back home, at Wharekahika Native School, each child had one pencil which was stored at the front of the classroom, and look out if it wasn't returned at the end of class time.

Koka Lillie could only speak a limited amount of English, and her journey of mastering this new language began in Wellington at Thorndon School. From Thorndon School, she went on to attend Te Waipounamu Māori Girls College. Koka Lillie's love for te reo and tikanga Māori was what compelled her to pursue a career in teaching Māori.

The Manukau Institute of Technology is the first educational provider to offer these qualifications and I congratulate them on their wonderful achievements and look forward to seeing the recognition of unique Māori skills through appropriate qualifications.

Koka Lillie set off to attend university at the age of 37. She studied full time as well as raising her family and at the age of 52, against all odds, graduated from Victoria University with a Masters Degree in Education.

This year, as Head of Department, Māori, at Wellington Girls College (WGC), Koka Lillie has successfully implemented basic cultural tikanga and ensures a powhiri is carried out to welcome new staff, national and international visitors, as well as all other newcomers to the school.

The range of her students' ability varies significantly with different learning paces. Many non-Māori are studying te reo Māori and are doing very well. The learning environment that Koka Lillie likes to provide for her students is a balance of fun and structured learning. A part-time tutor has been appointed to help with teaching the junior students, which enables Koka Lillie to concentrate on working with the senior students who are taking NCEA Reo Māori, levels 1 to 3.

"I am totally committed to keeping te reo Māori alive and would love to see it become a core subject in all schools," says Koka Lillie. There is always room for development and improvement of awareness of te reo Māori, and this development is something Koka Lillie strives for at WGC.

"Its a family affair" at Naenae. Ngaire (right) pictured with sister Manu.

KOKA NGAIRE MCCLUTCHIE
Ngāti Porou & Ngāi Tamanuhiri

Students of te reo Māori are thriving at Naenae College in Lower Hutt, where teachers have embraced NCEA and its recognition of Māori learning, skills and knowledge. Ao Kawe Kupu visited the school to discover the key to its success.

Koka Ngaire McClutchie has been teaching at Naenae College for 14 years. She spent three terms at Ngata Memorial College in Ruatoria in 2003, and then returned to Naenae College in term four of last year. Upon her return, she found that many students were not at the level of understanding that was expected, so she ran extra classes, mostly in her own time, to help the students catch up. The extra effort and time paid off with very successful end-of-year results. Nine year 11 students at Naenae College were assessed for Bursaries Māori in 2003; three students received a 'C' grade; three received a 'B' grade and two received an 'A' grade. The school is delighted with these results.

The future looks bright for the school. This year there are four year 9 students taking NCEA level 1 te reo Māori, and two year 9 students taking level 2. One year 9 student is studying for Te Reo Rangatira level 1 and one year 12 student for level 2. Māori Peforming Arts level 4 has been introduced this year, alongside level 2.

It's a real family affair at the school, with Ngaire's sister Manu McClutchie coming across from Queen Elizabeth College in Palmerston North to teach at Naenae College. Both receive plenty of support from the school principal and board of trustees as well as other school staff, including Ngaire's daughter Hollie.

"The whole school is supportive of things Māori and has a strong Māori focus," says Koka Ngaire.

This level of support is what makes the difference. Naenae College is a mainstream school that, with all-round commitment and a true team effort, has successfully implemented NCEA Te Reo Māori and Te Reo Rangatira in their school curriculum, with great results and positive outcomes.

"The kids keep us going," say Ngaire and Manu. "We want to see them succeed."