Education
Penrhyn schools’ Literacy Week events raise funds for Māori books
Friday 11 October 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National
Penrhyn schools took a unique approach to celebrate Literacy Week by hosting an exciting spallation, a vibrant float parade combined with a pageant, earlier this month.
Aitutaki students pitch in to clean up island
Friday 11 October 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, Local, National, Outer Islands
Primary schools in Aitutaki took part in the island-wide clean-up effort last month to mark Clean up the Cook Islands Day.
Lewis defends Ministry of Education appointment
Wednesday 9 October 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Education, National
Secretary of Education Owen Lewis has defended the appointment of an executive director, saying that the role was established in 2014 and had been vacant, and dismissed claims that the position duplicated his own.
Students dig deep into cultural roots
Saturday 5 October 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Culture, Education, Features, Food, National
Students of Nukutere College who participated in the traditional umu making and string band competitions this week were grateful for the opportunities to connect more deeply with the lifestyles of their ancestors.
Education ‘got some problems’ but new initiatives offer hope
Saturday 5 October 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National
The active participation and commitment of all stakeholders, from government, principals, teachers, parents and the community, is needed for the growth and advancement of education in the Cook Islands, says the Minister for Education.
Nukutere College students string together tradition and competition
Friday 4 October 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Education, National
Close to 200 Nukutere College students ended this school term on a high note, reviving some traditional practices and celebrating their culture.
Lewis calls for recognition of teachers’ role
Friday 4 October 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Education, National
The Ministry of Education is calling on the public to come together to celebrate World Teachers’ Day, acknowledging the pivotal role of teachers in shaping the nation’s future.
Cook Islands Robotics team arrives in Athens
Tuesday 24 September 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, Local, National
After 28 hours of travel, including transit and flights from Auckland, New Zealand, the Cook Islands Robotics Team has arrived in Athens, Greece.
Aitutaki’s ‘winds of change’ blow for gender equality: Browne
Saturday 14 September 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, Education, Local, National, Outer Islands, Parliament, Politics
Opposition leader Tina Browne has hailed Aitutaki’s Island Council election a success, noting a significant increase in the number of women elected as council members.
Cook Islands and Auckland University discuss collaboration in ocean research
Thursday 12 September 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Education, Environment, National
Prime Minister Mark Brown, accompanied by officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Seabed Minerals Authority, and the Cook Islands High Commission, recently held a productive meeting with the University of Auckland to explore potential areas of collaboration in ocean research.
Nukutere College Raises $136,184 for Inclusive Education Centre
Friday 6 September 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National
The Nukutere College monster raffle fundraiser recorded a net profit of $122,550, thanks to the support from dedicated parents, family and friends, the business community, tapere, and Catholic parishes across the Cook Islands and in Aotearoa New Zealand.
All-girls robotics team heads to global competition
Friday 6 September 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National, Technology
The “girl power” Cook Islands Robotics team, along with teams from 190-plus countries, is heading to Athens, Greece, for the FIRST Global Robotics Tournament in the home of the Olympics.
Apii Avarua students dive into diverse cultures during Literacy Week
Wednesday 4 September 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Education, National
The heavy downpour on Tuesday did not dampen the spirits of over 300 students and 23 staff at Apii Avarua Primary School, who are celebrating Literacy Week with uniqueness and fun while acknowledging and celebrating the linguistic and cultural diversity among the students.
Penrhyn schools welcome island’s first female MP
Tuesday 3 September 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National, Outer Islands
The Omoka and Tetautua schools on the northern group island of Penrhyn/Tongareva held a special formal assembly to welcome and acknowledge their Member of Parliament, Sarakura Tapaitau.
Apii Nikao launches island’s first after-school care programme
Monday 2 September 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National
Blazing ahead in creating a new environment and the island’s first after school care programme, Apii Nikao officially blessed the establishment of “Tiaki Tamariki” on Thursday last week.
Apii Nikao prioritises inclusive learning with new sensory rooms
Saturday 31 August 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National
Apii Nikao is excited to announce the opening of two new sensory rooms designed to support students with additional needs providing comfortable spaces where students can feel at ease.
MoE committed to supporting students amid NCEA concerns
Friday 30 August 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Education, National
Cook Islands students are ‘outperforming’ the Pacific and Māori cohorts in New Zealand in the new National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) literacy and numeracy tests.
Pacific’s first: A doctorate and a deeper connection to home
Saturday 24 August 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Education, Features, National, Outer Islands, Weekend
When Cook Islander Dr Antony Vavia walked off the stage earlier this month with a piece of paper he had worked hard for six years, he achieved more than just becoming the first Pacific Islander to earn a doctoral degree in marine biology from Auckland University of Technology (AUT).
First-of-its-kind early childhood Māori learning centre founded
Wednesday 21 August 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Education, Features, Go Local, National
A pioneering early childhood learning centre, the first of its kind, has been established with a focus on immersing young children in Māori language and culture from a very early age.
SPC supports Cook Islands in implementing effective education strategies
Wednesday 21 August 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Education, National
The Educational Quality and Assessment Programme (EQAP) team from the Pacific Community (SPC) conducted a mission in the country, which included school visits and understanding the teaching practices.
