MEDIA RELEASE – MAY 2016
AKA Kindergartens Named Finalists in Prime Minister’s Education Excellence Awards
Auckland Kindergarten Association (AKA) is extremely proud to announce that two of its kindergartens have been named as finalists in the Prime Minister’s Education Excellence Awards for 2016, with the winners being named at a special awards ceremony in June. They were chosen by a panel of education experts from a total of 212 entries.
The Prime Minister’s Education Excellence Awards recognise and celebrate outstanding achievements in early childhood education, primary and secondary schooling.
Teaching staff from Milford Kindergarten have been named as finalists for the Education Focus Prize/Takatū Prize, while Roskill South Kindergarten is up for the Excellence in Engaging – Atahāpara Award.
Tanya Harvey CEO of AKA, says: “It’s a huge honour for two of our kindergarten’s to be recognised for the incredible work that they’re doing for families in their local communities. We couldn’t be prouder of the work achieved by staff and whānau at both kindergartens, and we wish them all the best for the awards.”
Judges comments:
Milford Kindergarten
“This Auckland kindergarten has increased the number of families seeing and understanding the benefits of play for children in the natural environment. Staff make the environment available at all times for children to learn, grow and develop. They provide outdoor spaces where children have time to think and places to expand into their own creative world. And they encourage parents to get involved in the process. This has helped both children and parents to develop a sense of belonging and a sense of responsibility and care for the outdoor environment. The children now have more skills, stronger dispositions, and deeper knowledge. While an increased number of families see and understand the benefits and importance of play.”
Roskill South
“Using research to change practice, this kindergarten set out to provide a robust and collaborative learning community. The kindergarten saw that the way it was measuring children’s learning needed to change and set about changing it. Children’s families and whānau are now involved in the assessment and planning cycles of their children’s learning. ICT is easily accessible so that children and their families can look at what they have learned by viewing their portfolios online. The kindergarten shifted from planning for, to planning with, children and their families.”
For more information about Auckland Kindergarten and to find your local AKA kindergarten, check out: www.aka.org.nz or follow them on Facebook: facebook.com/mykindy
ENDS
Prepared on behalf of AKA by the pr shop. For further information, interviews, images or details on open days, please contact Tom Frankish on (09) 360 0385 or email tom@theprshop.co.nz