At Te Kura o te Whata - Southbridge School, tikanga and te reo Māori are a vital and important part of who we are and what we do. 

We mihi to the mana whenua in our takiwā -  Taumutu Rūnanga - Ngāti Moki Marae, Ngāi Te Ruahikihiki hapu.  We use Ngāi Tahu karakia, waiata and our school values are based on the values of Taumutu.  We also use and follow their education matauraka rauemi - see here for more information: https://www.tetaumuturunanga.iwi.nz/education/

All staff and students know and use karakia tīmatanga, karakai kai and karakia whakamutunga everyday.  Our karakia are traditional, non religious blessings that refer to the land, weather, relationships etc rather than any references to religion.  We also love and often use waiata in class and assemblies.

We teach Te Reo Māori following Te Aho Arataki Mārau i te Reo Māori curriculum documents and have school-wide te reo Māori progressions.  We also provide extension te reo Māori classes and promote and use conversation te reo Māori being used every day throughout the school.

We have a fantastic Kapahaka group with our seniors performing every year at the Cultural Festival in Christchurch and several other local events. 

All of our school values are Māori values - they underpin everything we do at Southbridge.

Link to our school Karakia in English and Māori

Link to our school Waiata in English and Māori