The Year 5 & 6 team are exploring aspects of our 'te whare tapa whā' in a variety of ways.

Room 13 have focussed our discussions around what a strong whare tapa whā would look like and feel like. We have had a big focus on ways to build our RESILIENCE and ways to keep our 4 walls nice and strong. One fun activity was building out own 3D Whare - inside we added 'vouchers' or suggestion cards for things we could do to help keep our four walls strong. 

In class we have been continuing to practise mindfulness through belly breathing and mindful movement. We have also been learning about our Zones of Regulation - labelling emotions, recognising the signs of anxiety, frustration and anger and how to move between zones.

Student Voice:

Leo - Mindfulness makes me feel calm and relaxed.

Jake - I like doing mindfulness in class because it brings me down from lunch time. Sometimes we do mindful movement too, it is nice to stretch.

Briar - I enjoyed making my 3D Whare. I think I will use my suggestion cards to make me feel better.

Chloe - Making the 3D Whare was fun, I like making the vouchers inside. This is a great way to help with our well being. My favourite one is playing a board game to encourage me to spend time with my family.

Cole - I like learning about myself so then when I am in the different zones I know what to do to help myself. I like to play my guitar, it helps me calm down. 

The Māori holistic model of health, te whare tapa whā, reminds you to take care of all the different aspects of your life to support your wellbeing.

What is te whare tapa whā?

Te whare tapa whā is a model of the 4 dimensions of wellbeing developed by Sir Mason Durie in 1984 to provide a Māori perspective on health. The 4 dimensions are:

• taha tinana (physical wellbeing)
• taha hinengaro (mental wellbeing)
• taha wairua (spiritual wellbeing)
• taha whānau (family wellbeing).

With 4 walls, the wharenui (meeting house) is a symbol of these 4 dimensions. The wharenui’s connection with the whenua (land) forms the foundation for the other 4 dimensions.

By nurturing and strengthening all 5 dimensions, you support your health and wellbeing, as well as the health and wellbeing of your whānau.

If something in your life is challenging the wellbeing of one wall or dimension, you can draw on the foundation and other walls until you can strengthen that wall again.

And to build resilience for the tough times, you can explore your way to wellbeing by choosing one small step at a time to strengthen one of your dimensions.