The E Tū Tāngata initiative was created to tackle Tall Poppy Syndrome in Aotearoa/New Zealand. There are three core values, You Have Value, We Succeed Together and Others Matter. The Harakeke team use these values to help develop a mindset that encourages standing up and being proud of our own achievements as well as the achievements of others.

Our learning about E Tū Tāngata:

- We have integrated E Tū Tāngata through our literacy learning by looking closely at characters from traditional tales who have been successful in showcasing the E Tū Tāngata values as well as those who have not. 

- Each day a person from each class is chosen as the "E Tū Tangata", this person is someone who has demonstrated one or more of the values either in the classroom or out on the playground. Time is taken each day to celebrate the successes of these children. 

- Being an abstract concept to understand it can be difficult for the younger children to grasp what each of the values mean and look like in action. To address this, the children in Harakeke have taken part in many role plays to help them to better understand situations where Tall Poppy syndrome is present and how we change our mindset and/or the situation by showcasing our E Tū Tāngata values. 

Miss Davis: "Can you tell me how you show the values of E Tū Tāngata at home or at school?"

Charlotte - I do jobs for my Mum and Dad and show that I care about all the things they do for me.

Renata - I say "well done" to people who try their best.

Ivy - You show respect for others, like you clap for others even if you don't get chosen.

Lucas - You cheer for everyone in races, even if they come last. 

Eden - I tell my little brother he "can do it", when he tries something for the first time.

Stella - I like it when my brother gets goals in soccer I sometimes smile so he knows that I am happy that he got a goal.

Chad- I tell my sister she does good writing at home and at school. I am still learning to do writing like her. She also waves to me at Kapa Haka when I do good Haka, then I know it is really good. 

Tilly -  I try hard to do my school work and if Miss Davis says to try again I try really hard... even more hard and then I feel proud when I do it!

Everly- I help my Mum at home with jobs and say thank you to her so she knows she has value. She does lots of jobs for my family.

Briana -  I tell my friends that they are doing really good learning and they also tell me if I am doing good learning.

Lockie -  You can show E Tū Tāngata by helping other people when they find something tricky, like if they can't put their lunch box away in their own bag you say " Would you like some help?" or " I can show you how to be successful because I already know".