Our whare ako, our place of learning, is a symbolic representation of ko wai tātou me ta tātou mahi - who we are and what we do.

To tataou wawata (our vision), to tatou uara (our values) and to tatou Kaupapa (our purpose) are inscribed on the three steps leading into our whare ako.

Our purpose is explained through Whakapiri, whakamarama and whakamana; meaning to engage, enlighten and empower.

Our vision, toku turangawaewae (a place to be me) captures our commitment to providing safe, engaging and informative learning environments where mana motuhake (self-determination) and our values of whanaungatanga, manaakitanga, kaitiakitanga and tino rangatiratanga live and breathe. Places where tamariki and whānau can thrive.

Whanaungatanga; our relationships and connections are identified in the whare framing. The pou tuaroaro (column) at the whare entrance supports one end of the tohuhu or backbone to acknowledge our growing relationship with mana whenua and our shared goals and aspirations for tamariki education. The whiri design on the tohuhu is where the threads of all aspects of kindergarten life are bound together and is representative of the administration, governance and support of SCK.

In a position of safety in the middle of our whare and at the ngakau (heart) of all we do is our pou tuaroaro tamariki, (our children) with whanau and community forming the heke or ribs that surround them. This structure recognises whanau as primary providers and partners in the education. Afterall, we know it takes a village to raise a child.

The Amo or posts in each front corner of our whare represent two of our four strategic pathways.

Ako, teaching and learning and

Pae ora, the wellbeing of our people are prioritised and sit proudly at the whare entrance

Our other strategic pou, Taiao (our environments) and Mahi, our organisational systems and structures support each corner at the back of the whare. Governance and management are the heke or ribs that connect these pou and the tohuhu (backbone)  

On the floor of the whare is Te Whāriki, the Early Childhood Curriculum. The principles of Te Whāriki weave together with the five curriculum strands to guide our purpose and practice as educators, nurturers, and partners in learning.