Nestled in the heart of Manurewa, Auckland, Randwick Park School is more than just a school—it’s a welcoming, multicultural community where learners, staff, and families genuinely care for one another. When you step onto the grounds, you feel the warmth and spirit of a place that celebrates diversity and champions kindness, respect, and the courage to grow together. For Years 1 to 8, children from all walks of life come together under the guidance of passionate teachers and a dedicated whānau, learning in both inclusive classrooms and shared spaces that hum with possibility.

After a year immersed in Randwick Park’s vibrant environment, the government introduced a nationwide mandate: every school was to adopt a structured, evidence-based approach to mathematics. At our kura, we chose Oxford Maths to lead this change. Although the programme looked promising, we quickly ran into a practical dilemma: the only available assessments were online, yet our youngest ākonga needed something far more tactile and familiar.

Knowing both our students and teachers, it struck me that we could do better. Building on my blend of classroom experience and resource design, I set about crafting printable versions of the crucial pre- and post-assessments. It was a simple, hands-on solution rooted in the realities of Year 0 and 1 life: a way for five- and six-year-olds to show what they knew, using pencil and paper, without the hurdles of unfamiliar devices.

The difference was immediate and heartfelt. Teachers noticed less classroom stress and more lively maths conversations. Whole lessons flowed without interruption, children gained confidence in their abilities, and the team rediscovered precious learning time. When I look back on this chapter, I’m reminded that innovation in education is intimately tied to knowing (and caring for) the people in the room. By listening closely and creating with purpose, we helped everyone embrace maths with a bit more joy and a lot less friction.