Kaihautū Whakahaere Update
Date: 12 May 2025
Heemi McDonald - Kaihautū WhakahaereAs we move into what will be likely feel like a very quick Term 2, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the passing of Lady Joan Gillies. Lady Gillies was a dedicated supporter of physical education in Aotearoa and a passionate advocate for the health and well-being of our communities. Her commitment to our sector will be long remembered, and our thoughts are with her whānau during this time.
Our Strategy
Recently, I had the opportunity to meet up with a few of our tertiary whānau in Tāmaki Makaurau. I'm not the flashest pickleballer in the world, but thanks to the AUT team, we were able to have a bit of a hit out and catch up. It was awesome to reconnect and it reminded me of the importance of community. A community is the culmination of the actions of individuals, with a common purpose, that come together for the benefit of all.
Our Strategic Framework is grounded in the idea of community. We know we will have been successful when all communities embrace their world of movement, and we know that physical education plays an important part in achieving this.
We are making significant progress in key areas, including advocacy for curriculum improvements, strengthening partnerships with organisations, and delivering professional learning opportunities that empower educators. We appreciate all that you do and recognise that without our community none of this would be possible.
Curriculum Update
It’s been a busy few months at PENZ, and we’ve made some great strides in strengthening our professional community and advocating for quality physical education across Aotearoa. We’ve been working hard behind the scenes to ensure that the HPE Curriculum refresh truly reflects the needs of our learners.
The first piece of the puzzle came in the form of the Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) framework. The process of consultation is an important part of any curriculum development, and we have been heartened by the level of engagement and time taken to feedback on the RSE framework. As the work progresses, there will be other opportunities to offer feedback, and we encourage you all to take the time to engage in the process. Your insights and collective wisdom are critical in helping to shape the next stage for our learning area. You can find out more by checking in with the MOE website Tāhūrangi.
Welcome Waka Pacific Trust
One of the big wins recently has been securing Waka Pacific Trust as our principal partner for the PENZ Conference 2025. This partnership not only helps us deliver an amazing event but also opens possibilities for ongoing collaboration. Waka Pacific Trust is a charitable organisation based in Manukau, Auckland, dedicated to enriching the lives of tamariki and rangatahi. As custodians of the Due Drop Events Centre, Vector Wero Whitewater Park, and the upcoming Wero Climb facility, the Trust offers transformative experiences in the creative arts, cultural engagement, and outdoor adventure. We’re looking forward to working alongside the Waka Pacific whānau and them being with us at Conference this year.
Resourcing
We’ve also been putting energy into creating new resources to support you, including the Mātauranga in PE workbook and the almost complete, Movement Progression resource for Primary and Intermediate Schools. The Mātauranga in PE workbook is being shared as a part of our mātauranga PLD series, and the Movement Progression resource will be available to all members once it moves through the final stages of publication. Plus, we continue to work on professional learning opportunities that are designed to support PE in every context.
On the resource front, we are looking for volunteers to help with the development of some new resources for the PE community. This is part of our wider strategy of supporting our community with relevant, high-quality resources. It will also include the development of some bicultural resources, specifically designed to support Kaiako in both English and Māori medium settings. If you are interested in supporting this kaupapa, you can complete an expression of interest. The resrouces created will be for Primary and Secondary educators.
PENZ Conference!
As we gear up for the PENZ Conference 2025, it’s time to start thinking about one of the most fun parts of the event—dressing up! This year, we’re encouraging everyone to get creative and bring a bit of flair to the social evening. Whether it’s embracing a theme, representing your school, or just coming in something that makes you feel awesome, we’d love to see your personality shine.
There might even be a few prizes up for grabs for the best dressed, so start brainstorming your outfit now! Whether you’re going for bold, quirky, or classic, the most important thing is to have fun and get involved. We can’t wait to see how you bring the spirit of Lead. Grow. Connect. to life! Looking forward to seeing you—and your creative costumes—at conference!
Takarangi
Finally, we’re excited to share with you our refreshed newsletter, Takarangi. The name reflects the way we’re weaving together ideas, stories, and knowledge from across the sector. It’s all about keeping us connected and inspired as we continue to Lead, Grow, and Connect.
We’re grateful for your support and can’t wait to catch up at the next event or workshop. As always, stay connected and keep moving!