Vision

He whenua, he tangata, he wairua

He whenua - Our turangawaewae are our relationships that connect us as community

He tangata - We are inspired by the uniqueness that each person brings

He wairua - The spirit of our tupuna connects us to who we are and where we are from

Mission

Hand in hand teachers, children and whānau build connections through an unspoken exchange of gifts, cultivated in respectful relationships. Children’s leadership is inspired by their individual cultures, which is at the heart of their learning.

In an environment where individual cultures enrich children’s leadership of their own learning

Respect that persons own culture

Empowering them to be leaders of their own learning

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Philosophy

Key elements of our centre culture are based on high levels of relational trust, where children and whānau have the space to explore and be curious in an unhurried manner. Our approach of key teaching, values advocacy through intimate knowledge of all learners.

Through these key teaching relationships, we support children to learn within the context of their own cultural identity, fostering their self-driven learning within a model of centre wide leadership. These meaningful elements form the foundation of whakawhanaungatanga, upon which the centre community is built.

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Pedagogical Philosophy

Key teaching is a respectful partnership where teachers, as professionals, invest time to make intimate connections with children and whānau. Key teachers have the role of being advocate for the child and their whānau, where they develop a responsive understanding of their aspirations. As children begin their transition, they are welcomed into the centre by their Key teacher. The teacher is chosen for the child to join a small whānau rōpu where the child’s circumstances are highly considered, balancing the working dynamics.

Teachers effectively support children and whānau within the centre to ensure children have a positive sense of their own cultural identity. The ngā pūmanawa (unique characteristics) of each child are nurtured. Their whakapapa and what they bring with them acknowledges who they are and how they learn.

Children have the space to explore in an unhurried manner through their own rhythms where they engage in a self-driven approach to learning. As a community of learners, children trust peers and teachers to strengthen their curriculum choices.

The physical environment is designed to promote cultural richness and pride. Starting from te manawa o Te Arawa, the whakapapa of our local iwi and every whānau is embraced as a natural part of the learning environment.

This is a safe place to get to know one another over time, as the bond of relational trust forms. Everyone can make a unique contribution, growing their worldview, valuing difference and diversity.

This is achieved though a centre wide leadership model. Teachers strive for a high level of professionalism using individual and collective strengths, ensuring the best possible key teacher-child-whānau relationships are formed.

These meaningful elements form the foundation of whakawhanaungatanga, upon which the centre community is built.

He whenua, he tangata, he wairua.

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