At Rototuna Senior High School, Franda Zondagh and Grace Whaanga and the team have been asking a simple question: if assessment truly sits at the heart of learning, what would that look like in daily practice? Through structured Teacher Learning Communities (TLCs), they designed sustained, collaborative inquiry that strengthens teacher clarity, dialogic practice, and collective efficacy.
In 2026 they introduced Learning Walks to gather structured student voice, as “leading indicators of improvement, not to evaluate teachers, but to “take the pulse” of teaching and learning in our kura. By examining patterns in learner engagement, agency, and ownership, we are tracking whether teachers increasingly act as critical friends, whether effective practices are spreading, and whether students can confidently articulate their learning.”
To ensure this work is sustained and scalable, they are developing the RSHS Playbook, a living repository of shared practice grounded in inquiry and evidence. Together, these elements form a coherent improvement cycle aimed at measurable impact, including increased student achievement.
Franda Zondagh is a Visual Art teacher at Rototuna Senior High School in Hamilton. As a Specialist Classroom Teacher, she works alongside staff and senior leaders to strengthen teaching practice across the school. She supports the implementation of schoolwide Teacher Learning Communities (TLCs), focused on embedding formative assessment and deep learning practices to improve student outcomes. Franda has presented at NZAI alongside Deputy Principal Steph Harford and continues to contribute to system-level improvement through assessment-informed pedagogy, collaborative inquiry, and evidence-based professional learning.
Grace Whaanga is a dedicated educator currently serving as the Head of Department (HOD) for English. She brings a wealth of diverse experience in teaching and leadership to her role. Most importantly, Grace is deeply committed to equity and empowerment in education, finding great fulfilment in working alongside Māori and Pasifika students to dismantle barriers and raise their academic achievement. She is a leader who values connection, cultural responsiveness, and the transformative power of the curriculum to help her students succeed.
Find the presentation slides here: Franda Zondagh And Grace Whaanga Keeping Assessment At The Heart TLCs & Learning Walks In Action
