Inquiry Learning

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Te Paina School Inquiry Learning Framework

Year 0–8 | Growing Curious, Connected, and Critical Thinkers

Our Vision for Inquiry

At Te Paina School, we believe inquiry learning nurtures curious, capable, and collaborative learners. Our Inquiry Framework empowers ākonga to explore meaningful questions, connect with their world, and take action.

Grounded in the New Zealand Curriculum and our local context, inquiry learning at Te Paina is:

• Learner-centred and responsive
• Deeply connected to place, people, and culture
• Focused on critical thinking and collaboration
• Supported by literacy, numeracy, digital fluency, and wellbeing

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Guiding Principles

Te Tiriti o Waitangi

Our inquiry model honours Te Tiriti by:

• Embedding Māori perspectives in questions and learning
• Building partnerships with whānau, iwi, and local experts
• Valuing te reo Māori, tikanga, and mātauranga Māori
• Encouraging shared leadership and collective responsibility

Local Curriculum

We design inquiries that:

• Reflect our local environment, histories, and community issues
• Build students’ understanding of Te Paina's unique identity and place
• Empower students to take meaningful, local action

NZ Curriculum Alignment

Inquiry supports the development of:

• Key Competencies – thinking, using language, managing self, relating to others, participating and contributing
• Learning Areas – with particular integration of social sciences, science, technology, health, the arts, and English
• Vision – young people who are confident, connected, actively involved, lifelong learners

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The Te Paina Inquiry Cycle

We use a flexible 5-phase inquiry model that supports progression across Years 0–8, adapting complexity and independence as students grow.

1. Tuuhuratia – Wonder and Explore

• Spark curiosity and engage prior knowledge
• Use big ideas or provocations (videos, visits, real-world issues)
• Students generate wonderings and questions
• Teachers guide focus areas based on NZC and student interest

In Years 0–2, this may involve play-based provocations, oral discussions, picture books, and sensory experiences.

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2. Paataihia – Ask and Investigate

• Refine inquiry questions (open, rich, and researchable)
• Use a range of sources – books, experts, websites, experiments, fieldwork
• Learn how to ask deeper questions and gather reliable information
• Explicitly teach research, note-taking, and observation skills

Collaborative investigation is encouraged using DMIC-aligned group structures.

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3. Ako – Make Meaning

• Analyse and make sense of findings
• Compare sources, make connections, draw conclusions
• Use literacy, numeracy, and digital tools to interpret and represent ideas
• Reflect on how new knowledge shifts or challenges thinking

In upper primary, this may include critical analysis, synthesising multiple viewpoints, and evaluating evidence.

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4. Whakamaaramatia – Share Understanding

• Share learning through presentations, reports, performances, displays, blogs, videos, etc.
• Use oral language, writing, digital tools, and the arts to communicate ideas
• Audience may include peers, whānau, or community groups
• Focus on clarity, creativity, and impact

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5. Mahi Tahi – Take Action

• Plan and carry out real-world action based on learning
• This could be community service, advocacy, design, creation, or behaviour change
• Reflect on outcomes: “What changed because of what we learned?”
• Celebrate learning and growth – ako continues through action

Inquiries may culminate in action that connects with sustainability, community improvement, or wellbeing.

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Progression Across the School (Year 0–8)

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Assessment and Reflection in Inquiry

We assess inquiry learning through:

• Learning conversations and reflections
• Portfolios or digital journals
• Self and peer assessment
• Observations of collaboration, questioning, and critical thinking
• Rubrics or success criteria linked to key competencies and learning area goals

Assessment is formative, with the process being valued as much as the product.

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Integrating Literacy, Numeracy, and Digital Fluency

Inquiry is a rich context to:

• Practise reading and writing for authentic purposes
• Use maths for measurement, data, budgeting, or analysis
• Apply digital tools for research, presentation, and collaboration
• Build oral language and presentation skills

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Whaanau and Community Involvement

We actively involve whānau in inquiry by:

• Sharing learning through newsletters, blogs, and events
• Inviting parents and community experts into the classroom
• Using local stories, issues, and places as inquiry contexts
• Encouraging home conversations about inquiry topics

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✅ Sample Inquiry Topics Aligned to Big Concepts

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At Te Paina School, inquiry is not a subject—it’s a way of learning. It grows thinkers, leaders, and contributors who are ready to shape their world. We nurture ākonga who ask powerful questions, seek understanding, and take thoughtful action.