Overview

This four-day series for Year 5-6 students (Level 3 of The New Zealand Curriculum Refresh) focuses on beginning-of-year expectations through the lens of the school’s four values: Excellence, Service, Expression of Faith, and Show No Distinctions. It centres on the Charism of St Mary MacKillop — the school’s founding saint — and integrates key Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles alongside the five Key Competencies (Thinking; Using Language, Symbols and Texts; Managing Self; Relating to Others; Participating and Contributing). This unit embraces a holistic, values-based programme aligned with the New Zealand Curriculum Refresh and its vision of fostering culturally responsive, connected learners.

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Curriculum Alignment

• Learning Area: Religious Education (integrated with Social Sciences and English components)
• Level: Year 5-6 (Level 3)
• Curriculum Refresh Focus Points:
  • Values embedded in learning focusing on excellence, equity, community, and integrity.
  • Key Competencies as capabilities for lifelong learning and participation in society.
  • Responsive curriculum reflecting Tikanga Māori, Mātauranga Māori, and te ao Māori; giving effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
  • Use of social and cultural contexts to deepen understanding and relevance, including Treaty principles of partnership, protection, and participation.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this four-day unit, students will be able to:

1. Identify and explain the four school values and connect them to personal and group behaviour.
2. Describe the Charism of St Mary MacKillop, relating key aspects of her life and values to the school values.
3. Demonstrate understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles through classroom discussion and activities.
4. Develop Key Competency skills through collaborative and reflective learning tasks.
5. Express personal faith and values respectfully, connecting cultural understandings from both Māori and Catholic perspectives.
6. Show inclusive attitudes aligned with the value “Show No Distinctions” by respecting diversity in class discussions and activities.

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Resources Needed

• Teacher slides for each day (visuals, stories, quotations, key questions)
• Copies of simplified Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles (student-friendly)
• Biography handout or storytelling script about St Mary MacKillop
• Value Exploration worksheets
• Chart paper, markers
• Reflection journals or writing paper
• Art supplies for creative expression
• Storybooks or videos about St Mary MacKillop and aspects of Te Tiriti
• Digital device for playing recordings or showing images if needed

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Daily Breakdown

Day 1: Understanding Our Values and St Mary MacKillop's Charism

Duration: 45 minutes

Activity	Time (minutes)	Description
Introduction & Kia Ora	5	Welcome students, introduction to the unit theme, set the purpose.
Discussion: What are Our Values?	10	Explore the four values - Excellence, Service, Expression of Faith, Show No Distinctions. Use simple examples and prompt students: What do these values mean? How do we see them in our school? Use “Think-Pair-Share” for engagement.
Storytelling: St Mary MacKillop’s Life & Charism	15	Story (told or video) focusing on Mary MacKillop’s dedication to service, faith in action, and inclusion. Highlight how her life embodies the four values.
Group Activity: Values Connection	10	Students in small groups discuss and draw or write examples of how they can show each value at school. Groups then share back briefly.
Reflection & Wrap-Up	5	Journal prompt: Which value is most important to me and why?

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Day 2: Exploring Service and Expression of Faith with St Mary MacKillop

Duration: 45 minutes

Activity	Time (minutes)	Description
Recap of Day 1	5	Quick group quiz or question game on values and St Mary MacKillop.
Deep Dive: Service and Faith	15	Discuss what service means in everyday life and faith expression in many forms (prayer, kindness). Include examples from Mary MacKillop and Aotearoa NZ communities (including Māori concept of manaakitanga).
Role Play	15	Students role-play short scenarios demonstrating service and faith in school/community settings.
Group Reflection	5	Discuss how showing service and faith helps others and themselves.
Individual Task	5	Write or draw one way they will practise service and one way they will express their faith this year.

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Day 3: Te Tiriti o Waitangi and "Show No Distinctions"

Duration: 45 minutes

Activity	Time (minutes)	Description
Introduction to Te Tiriti o Waitangi	10	Present simplified version with visuals and context; explain partnership, protection, participation.
Class Discussion:	15	Link the value “Show No Distinctions” to Treaty principles. How do these ideas help us treat each other? Use Relating to Others competency by encouraging respectful listening and sharing.
Group Challenge:	15	In groups, students brainstorm actions at school that show "No Distinctions" and Treaty principles in action. They create posters or digital slides to share.
Sharing & Feedback	5	Groups present posters; open floor for compliments and questions.

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Day 4: Integrating Excellence, Service, Faith, and Equity - Bringing It All Together

Duration: 45 minutes

Activity	Time (minutes)	Description
Today's Focus: Excellence & Self-Management	10	Discuss what excellence means, including persevering through challenges and managing self (Key Competency).
Case Study & Discussion	15	Present a real-world story or example linking excellence and service from Mary MacKillop’s legacy and Māori leaders. Students think critically (Thinking competency) about challenges and solutions.
Creative Expression	15	Students choose to write, draw, or create a short presentation expressing how they will practise school values through the year respecting all people (cultural responsiveness included).
Reflection & Goal Setting	5	Students share one personal goal related to one or more values. Teacher affirms and discusses with the class how they can support each other.

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Integration of Key Competencies and Te Tiriti

• Thinking: Encouraged through critical analysis of values, storytelling, and case studies.
• Using language, symbols, and texts: Through discussions, presentations, story comprehension, and creative expression.
• Managing self: By goal setting, self-reflection, and perseverance activities.
• Relating to others: Through group work, role plays, and Treaty discussions that nurture empathy and inclusion.
• Participating and contributing: Via group challenges and shared presentations that connect learning to community action.

Te Tiriti principles woven throughout ensure all learners see their culture and identity reflected positively and respectfully in the curriculum content and values discussions, supporting equitable outcomes and inclusivity as called for in the refreshed curriculum and National Education and Learning Priorities.

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Teacher Slides Outline

Slide Themes per Day:

• Day 1 Slides:

  • Welcome & learning intentions
  • Visuals of each school value with student-friendly definitions
  • St Mary MacKillop’s photo/timeline
  • Quotes exemplifying Charism (service, faith, inclusion)
  • Group activity prompts

• Day 2 Slides:

  • Recap quiz questions
  • Service and faith in action visuals and local community examples
  • Role play scenarios
  • Reflection prompts

• Day 3 Slides:

  • Treaty principles made visual and accessible
  • Connections between "Show No Distinctions" and the Treaty
  • Poster challenge instructions

• Day 4 Slides:

  • Excellence and managing self – key ideas
  • Case study story and reflection questions
  • Creative expression options and goal setting template

Teachers should embed the Māori language and concepts respectfully (e.g., manaakitanga, whanaungatanga) across slides and spoken language to uphold local curriculum commitments.

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Assessment & Evidence of Learning

• Observation of participation and respectful contributions during discussions and group work.
• Completed values connection worksheets and posters showing understanding of the values and Treaty principles.
• Individual reflections or journal entries illustrating personal connection to values.
• Role play performance demonstrating practical understanding of service and inclusivity.
• Creative expressions and goal setting evidencing thoughtful integration of values and competencies.

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Summary

This four-day teaching sequence offers an engaging, culturally rich, and curriculum-aligned start to the year for Year 5-6 Religious Education centred around the school’s core values, the inspiring Charism of St Mary MacKillop, and Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles. It advances the Key Competencies in a practical, integrated manner and respects the refreshed New Zealand Curriculum vision of learners as confident, connected, and active participants in Aotearoa New Zealand society【4:4,8,10,15†New Zealand Curriculum.html】【6:9,11†Te Mataiaho English Single Page.pdf】.

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If you would like, I can also help generate the full slide text content and printable student worksheets to complement this plan.