Tītahi Bay School stands as an integral pillar within our community, serving as a unifying force for our tamariki, community members, whānau, and kaiako alike. Our primary aim is to ensure that the journey of our tamariki is one characterised by safety and growth throughout their time at Kura Street.

During their time in kura, our tamariki progress through various learning hubs, commencing with Kākano, advancing through Koru, Rākau, and culminating in Ngahere. This journey is symbolic of our shared narrative and whakapapa, symbolising the transformation from a vulnerable Kākano, akin to the planting of a seed in New Entrants, to flourishing Ngahere as they depart in Year 6. This journey is closely interwoven with our kura waiata, Te Tikanga, composed by Terry Crawford, Ria Tomoana, and a dedicated whānau group. Te Tikanga serves as a powerful thread connecting us to our KURA values, our deep-rooted connection to our local environment, and metaphorically likening our tamariki to the stages of Kākano, Koru, Rākau, and Ngahere.

As our waiata beautifully articulates: "Nā te kākano ko te koru. Ka whāngaihia te matauranga, te aroha. Nā te rākau ka puta ko te ngahere. Pai rākau, pai hua e." This signifies the growth process, starting from the seed (kākano) and evolving into the unfurling koru, nurtured by knowledge and love. Ultimately, it matures into trees and a thriving forest, bearing good fruit.

We firmly believe that each seed, branch, and tree has a distinct place and purpose within our community. It is our deep desire for our tamariki to grasp that their individual differences are what enrich and beautify our Ngahere, hāpori (community), and whānau. Just like the diverse flora in a forest, some trees provide shelter and protection, while others sustain birds that consume their fruits and, in turn, disperse seeds throughout the forest, fostering more growth. In this way, all components of our ecosystem collaborate harmoniously to cultivate a thriving community.

This ethos nurtures a collective approach, where our community members come together, and our tamariki discover their identities within the community and within themselves. It fosters collective leadership, tuakana/teina relationships, while simultaneously instilling resilience in the face of change. Our tamariki are already part of an ecosystem of change, engaging with critical issues such as climate change and environmental leadership. Together, we strive to create a vibrant, resilient, and interconnected community.

"Pai Rākau Pai Hua" directly translates as "Good trees produce good fruit". For us this encompasses that our vision is to ensure that we all play our role and work in partnership with whānau to nurture our tamariki supporting their holistic well-being and supporting them to thrive. When our tamariki, whānau, and kaimahi are thriving and strong then they can produce good things.

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