At Pukerua Bay, our principles and values (KURA) operate ‘hand in hand’.

At Pukerua Bay School we have KURA values (see below). Alongside this, we have five guiding principles and together they both form the philosophical foundation of everything we do. Our four KURA values, are aimed to empower students to be confident, connected, and actively engaged in their learning.

Our values and principles underpin everything and everyone at Pukerua Bay School.

They define the aspirations we strive for and serve as an anchor for decision-making. Developed collaboratively through a community-wide process involving staff, whānau, and students, these values and principles reflect the insights gathered from this shared effort. They provide a unified vision of what the school should feel and look like, shaping both our strategic direction and everyday life.

Our curriculum logo represents the two hills... in māori the words 'puke rua' literally means 'two hills'.  The impact statement across the top is what we are striving for, 'To Create the World we want to Live in'.  You may also notice some stars... as we reach for the stars, there are no limits to what can be achieved.  The image is circular as circles are universally symbolic for wholeness, completeness and cyclic motion.  They are also representative of community and inclusivity.  

The rocks analogy are based on the building blocks in which we are growing our school.  Each coloured rock represents our guiding principles.  Each guiding principle will be represented in these colours throughout our local curriculum documents.

Our Guiding Principles are as follows:

The Guiding Principles	What it represents
	‘Who we are is at the centre of everything we do’ is about our individual strengths, but also our collective heart. it ensures that we are united around our shared impact, creating the world that we want to live in, through the following four principles.
	We are committed to ensuring Pukerua Bay School upholds the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. We celebrate te reo Māori and its tikanga, and we strive to create an environment where all learners can thrive in an education that values and incorporates the indigenous knowledge of this land alongside other forms of knowledge.
	This principle emphasises the importance of relationships in learning—between learners, teachers, and whānau. It also highlights Pukerua Bay School’s connection to the wider community and the natural environment. Through collaboration, learners set personalised goals and follow coherent learning pathways that support their growth from entry to beyond school.
	We cultivate curious minds by focusing on both what and how we learn. Our students develop the skills to tackle challenges, understand their learning processes, and use flexible strategies. By the time they leave Pukerua Bay School, they are confident and ready to take on the world.
	This is our underpinning principle. It recognises the value of developing a strong sense of self in relationship with others and our world. We believe that cultivating emotional, social, mental, and physical health is critical for our learners to thrive.