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Tēnā koutou e te whānau whānui o Rangitoto,
This term has seen much public debate about the direction of education in New Zealand. I firmly believe that a well-designed and enacted knowledge-rich curriculum will have significant benefits for all Kiwi students. Rangitoto College has been on a six-year journey developing a knowledge-rich curriculum that emphasises the acquisition of powerful, subject-based knowledge.
Building a robust knowledge base is essential for developing expertise and higher-order thinking, thereby promoting equity by ensuring all students, regardless of background, have access to the cultural capital needed to succeed. The assessment system should therefore reflect the importance of assessing all parts of a subject through a range of appropriate methods. This approach avoids a “buffet-style” selection of assessments, which can undermine the cognitive science behind a knowledge-rich curriculum. Thank you to all members of our community who have submitted their views in the public consultation on NCEA and who have voted in the Board elections.
Our digital magazine, Vista, encapsulates a celebration of Rangitoto school life, both within and beyond the classroom. Congratulations to all who feature in this term’s edition; the quality of talent and range of achievements within the Rangitoto community is remarkable. The growth in opportunities for students to get involved in school life is a credit to all those involved.
Patrick Gale, Principal
