Our Vision

Our vision - 'a caring place for lifelong learning'.

We want to develop in our tamariki a passion for learning and a curiosity that will last a lifetime. We want them to leave our school as active and engaged learners who have the skills, attitudes and competencies to seize opportunities, contribute to our community, and achieve to their potential. The caring aspect of our vision reflects the importance we place on relationships.

Our Values

At Tawhiti we have 4 core values which drive everything that we do. 

Ako - We learn and we lead. We are all learners at Tawhiti. We value learning - this is our main mahi. We strive to ensure that learning is relevant, challenging, and collaborative. We believe that is it important to ensure every learner experiences success and that all progress and achievements are celebrated, 

Whanaungatanga - We work together as one. Relationships are at the heart of everything we do. We are a whānau - a collective group of people working together for the benefit of our tamariki, whānau, and community. Caring relationships and high expectations are integral. 

Hauora - We are happy, healthy and resilient. Wellbeing is fundamental. Hauora covers many areas - including our relationship to the whenua and our social, mental, physical and spiritual health. A strong focus on hauora supports us to overcome difficulties and achieve success. 

Manaakitanga - We show care and respect. We strive for a hura and community that shows respect, care, kindness and consideration to others and to our whenua (environment). We are inclusive and value the differences that each of us bring. 

Literacy and Numeracy

Our goal is for all children leaving Tawhiti to be literate and numerate and we place a high priority on our reading, writing and maths programmes. Because all children develop at different rates, requiring personalised programmes, we have a large number of learning assistants who work across the school supporting children with their learning.

All learners have reading, writing and maths progressions. These progressions enable learners to work alongside their teachers and whanau to select goals, reflect, monitor their progress, and determine their next learning steps.

E-Learning is the way of the future and plays a large role in the day to day teaching and learning programmes happening in classrooms. 

Wellbeing

We believe in growing good people, people with the right attitude!

At Tawhiti we have a holistic start to each day (using Te Whare tapa wha model) as wellbeing and connecting positively with one another is essential for success and helps create a whanau like atmosphere within our kura.

These sessions are approximately 30 minutes, starting with the schoolwide karakia and waiata then moving onto wellbeing. During this time social and emotional skills that relate to our school values are explored and explicitly taught.

Education Outside the Classroom

Education outside the classroom is very much to the fore at Tawhiti School.

The school year starts with a ‘rolling camp’ at Lake Rotorangi (Patea Dam) where children stay overnight in tents. The activities they experience include waterskiing, kayaking, abseiling, archery and rafting. The ‘rolling camp’ is in place so that the children and their new teacher can get to know one another and develop a positive relationship, setting the scene for a successful year.

All year groups from Year 0 to Year 6 experience a camp at the end of the year. These experiences allow children to learn more about different areas of Āotearoa whilst challenging themselves physically with a range of fun activities. We have classes that head to locations around Taranaki includingTOPEC and up our maunga as well as classes who explore other areas such as Waitomo and Rotorua. 

The 'Arts'

The Arts are a huge part of what makes Tawhiti unique! Every year we perform a production which involves EVERY child. Our tamariki take to the stage acting, dancing and singing. It is a must see and provides memories for our ākonga which last a lifetime! 

Kapa Haka and Choir

We have a very passionate kapa haka group, a junior choir and a senior choir. These groups perform regularly within our school and local community.