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Roslyn School - Mandy Veza

2018 | Connecting Cultures through Seeds - Agriculture and Environment

School: Roslyn School

Host: Massey University, Department of Agriculture & Environment

Region: Palmerston North, Manawatū

Roslyn School sees the Science Teacher Learning Programme (STLP) as an opportunity of a lifetime which will spearhead and focus Roslyn School to develop a consistent approach to science that will be relevant, meaningful and give the students the necessary skills for this area of learning.

It is extremely timely, with National Standards now gone, to be able to embrace the science curriculum fully and bring this to the forefront for the students, using the expertise that Mandy will bring. It will also enable other staff to see the passion she has, and with her support and knowledge, create a ‘ripple effect’ of science understanding across the school.

Mandy is keen and passionate educator who wants to develop and implement a science programme to improve science teaching and learning at Roslyn School. She is looking forward to using new learning about the Nature of Science to explicitly teach science capabilities, to build curiosity and allow learners to successfully engage in authentic science experiences. Science will be integrated with literacy and numeracy as a way to create strong, practical, authentic learning experiences.

While on the Science Teaching Leadership Programme, Mandy also has had opportunities to visit schools across New Zealand and attend a leadership course at Otago University.  It has provided her with an opportunity to experience real science and learn how to engage her students in the nature of science so that they can learn to participate as critical, informed, and responsible citizens.  

Mandy was privileged to be hosted by Dr Nick Roskruge from the Massey University, Department of Māori Resources and Agriculture.

The programme has provided Mandy with a tremendous growth experience personally, professionally and as a leader. It has allowed her to spend valuable time reflecting on her teaching practice and her next steps looking forward.  She has deepened her understanding of the importance of the inclusion of Te Ao Māori within a science programme.

During this learning opportunity, Mandy has explored many aspects of her own leadership. When she returns to school, she intends to use her strengths and skills to improve the engagement and achievement of students in Science by providing professional learning for her colleagues in order to increase their confidence, understanding.

Mandy would like to extend a huge mihi to her host, Dr Nick Roskruge for his Manaakitanga and for generously sharing his knowledge. She has appreciated the efforts of all of the other people who worked with her.  She would also want to acknowledge and thank the Royal Society Te Apārangi for their advice and support throughout the programme.

Participating in the Science Teaching Leadership Programme has truly been a life changing experience for Mandy both professionally and personally.