This year at Ashgrove School we have introduced Rāhina Rōpū every Monday afternoon. The entire school, including Allenvale students come together and engage in different learning experiences.

In Rāhina Rōpū the children are grouped vertically, older students across the school work with and support our younger students to learn about the 5 Ways to Wellbeing that underpin our Ashgrove Whētu Hauora Model. The 5 parts are, Connect, Be Active, Take Notice, Keep Learning and Give. Rāhina Rōpū links to Ashgrove School’s strategic plan as Hauora is one of our school's main focuses this year. By participating in Rāhina Rōpū our goal is to support and empower students to learn and know ways to enhance their own and others well being.

The older students demonstrate Tuakana Teina by supporting the juniors. It has been wonderful to see the senior students have the opportunity to be leaders and role models during the range of activities..

This term the focus has been on “Connect” - building relationships and getting to know other children, listening, being kind and being a good friend. The children have completed art activities all about themselves, played sports games where the seniors have been the leaders, took part in some delicious baking, had sandcastle building competitions, made a variety of paper crafts and we even had a giant Easter egg hunt. 

Ashgrove kaiako have really enjoyed this new programme, teaching a range of past, present and future akonga.

Below is what some akonga had to say.

Rāhina Ropu student feedback

Finn Year 4 - I enjoy playing activities and getting to know the other people in the school. My favourite activity was the tennis ball and hula hoop game.

Aimee Year 4 - I really like working with different people like the bigger kids and I really liked the easter egg hunt and baking marshmallow slice.

Carter Year 4 - I liked the easter egg hunt and I like working with other kids and playing games.

Marcus Year 2 - I like doing colouring in and I like it when the big kids helped me with cutting out at the edges when I can’t cut the small bits.

Eden Year 6 - It’s nice getting to know children in other year groups and it’s really fun to learn and do new things. At the moment we are colouring a lego man or woman and it is so much fun.

Quincey Year 5 - I like how we learn with other age groups. I like having a younger buddy. I like all of the different activities that we have done.

Tylar Year 6 - I like playing with my younger buddy. I enjoy running around with him.

Ayden Year 5 - I like that I get to know more people and make friends. My favourite thing that I have done so far is building with marshmallows and toothpicks. 

Isaac Year 8 - I enjoy hanging out with the little kids and helping them with spelling their words. I loved the easter egg hunt. We found 10 sticks.

Aidan Year 8 - I enjoy learning with smaller students and collaborating with them. I really enjoy helping them with their activities.