Te Pā o Moki is the marae we affiliate with, as a school whānau. This term we are learning more about our cultural narrative and are thrilled that we are able to extend an opportunity to all of our children.

During the teacher only days in February, all staff visited Ngāti Moki marae and learnt more about the history of our local area. 

This term our topic of study, across the school, is learning about our Cultural Narrative and why our school and learning hubs are named as they are. 

From the 24th February to the 1st March, our children will visit Te Pā o Moki. We will group across the school so that some of our older children will travel with some of our youngest children. Please look out for the notice coming home today. We will be looking for some parent help for this outing. 

Some information for you about our school...

Te Manu Tukutuku

The kite (Te Manu Tukutuku) is our emblem and the name we were gifted for our school. Our vision is "Creating pathways to grow heroes." To enable our kite a clear pathway to fly high, we need wind, ngā hau. Our learning hubs are therefore named after the predominant winds. 

Ngā Hau

The four winds drive the learning forward and define the pathways the students are taking at any given time on their learning journey. It is vital to pay homage to the Cultural Narrative and bring it to life through everything we do at Te Manu Tukutuku.

Te Ope Ruaraki

Nor Easter - Spring (New growth)

Green

Te Ope Ruaraki is the Nor easterly wind which is prevalent in Spring. We chose to place our pēpī (babies)  here to symbolise nurturing of new beginnings to begin the development of strong pathways for our ‘heroes.’

The juniors were also placed in this part of the school for a reason.  Te Māuru-e-taki-nei and Te Ope Ruaraki spaces open out into the heart of our school, being protected through the tuakana - teina philosophy. This underpins our value of Whānau.

Te Māuru-e-taki-nei

Nor west - Summer (Hot Dry)

Red

As you move through school, you move through the seasons and the names of the winds reflect the prevailing wind of the season. Te Māuru-e-taki-nei is the hot dry wind of Summer and hence the red colouring in the wall panels and the koru which faces the direction of the prevailing wind - Nor West.

Whakarua

Easterly - Autumn, prolonged sunshine

Orange

Whakarua is Autumn and our juniors are shedding their leaves, beginning their transition from teina to tuakana. Our tamariki are developing their ability to manage more freedom and responsibility. You will notice that the sliding doors open out to both sides of the buildings, children manage their freedom utilising both the indoor and outdoor learning spaces. This also signifies the beginning of their journey to ubiquitous learning.

Pūnui-o-toka

Southerly - Winter (Cold)

Blue

Pūnui-o-toka is the southerly wind and represents the seniors nearing the end of their journey at Te Manu Tukutuku. It is a time for reflection and self evaluation. They are positioned at the front of the school as the kaitiaki and rangatira. A culmination of their years at Te Manu Tukutuku has developed the values of Whānau, Ako and Mahi Tahi to build strength as they take flight on a new learning pathway towards their futures.

The Rock - Ko te kohatu te punga o Te Manu Tukutuku o te kura

The stone is the anchor of the school

The rock came from the Shands Road site and was the one thing the children wanted to keep and bring to Te Manu Tukutuku. It connects us to the old site and keeps us grounded in who we are. It anchors us to our kite as it takes flight and remains the safe place for our children as they wait for their whānau. 

Tune in next fortnight to learn more about our school, our history and our surrounding area.

Ngā mihi ki a koutou,

Wendy Huriwai

Principal - Tumuaki

principal@southhornby.school.nz