Vertical to Horizontal - Whaanau Roopuu

VERTICAL TO HORIZONTAL

WHAANAU ROOPUU - FAMILY GROUPS

2020 marked a significant change for how our school is organised. In 2020 we moved to a horizonal structure where our Vertical Forms became Whaanau Roopuu or “family groups” of one year level only.

In Year 9 and 10 these have mainly been the groups students learn English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies and Physical Education and Health in.

Each Whaanau Roopuu has a Kaiaawhina – the teacher who cares and supports them. Each year level has two Kaitiaki Aakonga (Year Level Deans), or “caretaker of learners”.

As the year has progressed we’ve seen lots of benefits to this change – which is what we expected. Students are more comfortable in groups with people their own age; teachers are able to focus on tasks that relate to the year level in front of them, rather than having to do different tasks for each year level in one group; our Kaitiaki Aakonga are also able to bring expert support to the year level they are focussed on.

Take a look at some of the fun we get up to in our Whaanau Roopuu...

Carolyn Cornu

Tumuaki Tuarua – Deputy Principal

And we look after one another too...

“Whaia te iti kahurangi, ki te tuohu koe me he maunga teitei. ” - Pursue that which is precious, and do not be deterred by anything less than a lofty mountain.