Mālō nī, Kia orana, Talofa lava, Mālō e lelei, Fakaalofa lahi atu

Welcome to Tapasā

Tapasā Home

Tapasā is a cultural competencies framework for teachers

The Tapasā website provides resources, tools, and support for teachers of Pacific learners.

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Navigating Tapasā

Your voyage starts here

Tapasā seeks to guide and support teachers and Pacific learners, their parents, and families towards their ‘destination’ – a shared vision and aspiration of educational achievement and success for Pacific learners. This diagram outlines the steps to understanding the main principles of Tapasā under the three competencies or Turu.

Tapasā and your learners

step example 1
1.

Exploring Tapasā

Key messages from Tapasā, and links to the curriculum and codes of practice.

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MOE 2020 Tapasa Kitiani 23 resized
2.

Understanding Pacific values and world views

Tips for being culturally responsive and engaging with parents and whānau.

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Reflection and discussion

step example 3
3.

Pacific workbook

A PLD workbook to guide you through an exploration of Pacific values and your learning environment.

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Proverbs
4.

Proverb cards

Discussion starters for staff or team reflections, using proverbs from five Pacific languages.

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Stories of effective Pacific pedagogies

MOE Tapasa Tava 08
5.

Who am I?

Stories of impact that help you explore notions of identity.

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MOE 2020 Tapasa Liam 09
6.

Where am I?

Stories that explore the way culture, identity and language are linked, and how this can change your learning environment and practice.

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MOE 2020 Tapasa Kingdom 13
7.

Community engagement

Ways in which successful relationships with communities help Pacific students to flourish.

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Engaging with parents, families and communities
8.

Parent and whānau engagement

Stories of successful engagement, and tips for your learning centre.

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MOE Tapasa Kindergarten Olivia Ravji 06
9.

Student engagement

Listen to stories from students about the importance of being Pacific, and what they need in order to succeed.

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Teaching stories

In this section, members of the Pacific community and the profession have come together to tell their stories and help support teachers to develop the knowledge to empower their Pacific learners. See how other teachers have put the Tapasā framework to use in their schools.

How do we fit together?

Cultural identity is the key to increasing the level of education for each learner. This video demonstrates awareness of the diverse identities Pacific learners bring to the school environment.

How do we fit together updated

Knowing and sharing your own identity as a teacher

Understanding your own identity means you are more likely to try and understand the identities of others. In this video, Sojung Yoon discusses his own cultural identity and life experiences and reflects on how this impacts his practice as a teacher.

Knowing and sharing your own identity as a teacher

Being a Cook Islander

This video is about being Cook Islander, the diversity of Pacific Islands, and how one size does not fit all.

Being Cook Islander

Culturally located practice

This video is about culturally located and responsive practice, identity, language, and recognising learners as individuals located within their cultures

Culturally located practice
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