Poutama Ako - 2017

Poutama Ako is our upated version of the Steps System. We have found that the majority of our children find this really motivating and want to climb through the levels.  Our team has focused on making sure that we embed conversations about Poutama into daily classroom life, we feel like because of this our tamariki understand the importance of it. We have also made sure that there is a Poutama Ako display in all of our learning spaces so that we always have it to refer back to with our children.

One thing we found difficult was knowing what children were on what Poutama when we were moving around spaces. This term we have introduced badges for Poutama Wha and Rima children that they will wear during class that states the privelleges that comes with that Poutama. This way whatever teacher they have at the time knows.  We have only just started this, so we are unsure how effective it will be, but the children are all excited to have a badge that sets them apart, and shows their achievement.

Emma and Leonjay with their badges

Our next challenge will be how we manage our Poutama Rima tamariki. How much freedom will we allow them to have with their self managed timetables? How will this work when we move around learning spaces all the time?