One of Te Kura o Tuahiwi Uara (values) is Kaitiakitanga. This can mean taking care and respecting our surroundings. When we respect and care for Papatuanuku and our belongings it shows we value where we learn and who we learn from. Our tamariki and whānau have a responsibility to protect not only their belongings, but to respect others as well.

Recently some of our every day use items such as locks on doors, TV's, IT devices and drinking fountains; a vital part of our kura, have been tampered with by tamariki resulting in large bills for the school, money that could have been used for trips , resources and other things for your tamariki. Destroying property is not practicing Kaitiakitanga. 

Our lost property collection gathers momentum every term. We are not sure how tamariki arrive wearing shoes and leave without shoes. Tamariki loose their school uniform and then we have to spend time following this up. 

We also notice that our tamariki drop rubbish and don't think twice about picking it up and putting it in the bin. We feel like many of them expect others to clean up after them. 

Our kura is a small kura. We need to remind our tamariki that we are not always able to replenish school property when it gets damaged or broken given the small amount of money the Ministry gives us to run the school each year. 

 It is important that you talk to your tamaiti about how we look after our kura and our belongings, how they can take good care of all the things we have so that all can enjoy everything that Tuahiwi has to offer for a longer period of time.