Ohaeawai Primary School integrates Te Whare Tapa Whā into their curriculum, enriching students’ wellbeing with mindfulness and yoga, and fostering resilience and personal growth.
Transforming the Learning Environment at Ahipara School
Introducing play mats in their neurodiverse class has transformed learning by fostering sensory development, motor skills, communication, mindfulness and social interaction.
Traditional Māori games at Ruakākā School
Ruakākā School revitalises traditional Māori games like Pūkao and Ki o Rahi, enriching students’ cultural connections and educational experiences, guided by Harko Brown’s workshop.
Term 2 2024 Editors Note
Nau mai, haere mai ki Pūrākau o ngā kura Term 2, 2024, featuring stories that highlight kaupapa here in Te Tai Tokerau.
This term, we’ve seen common themes emerge, from fundraising events happening across the rohe, to the importance of connection, collaboration and communities coming together. These gatherings have ranged from sports events to Matariki celebrations, all contributing to a vibrant and united school culture.
We are excited to share two stories from Ohaeawai School. They have been on an inspiring journey with the school-wide implementation of Te Whare Tapa Whā. This has greatly enriched the wellbeing of their students. Additionally, their successful Wheel-a-thon fundraiser showcased the power of community spirit and collective effort.
Heading further north, Ahipara School provides insights into how the introduction of play equipment has brought positive changes to the learning environment for tamariki in their neurodiverse class. This initiative has fostered a more inclusive and supportive atmosphere, enhancing sensory development, motor skills and communication.
Returning to the south, Ruakākā School shares how they are integrating traditional Māori games into their curriculum. This innovative practice not only fosters relationships with ākonga but also improves learning outcomes by embedding mātauranga Māori into their teaching practices. Kēmu (games) like Pūkao and Kī o Rahi have become instrumental in fostering collaboration and cultural connection among students.
We invite you to read on and enjoy these inspiring stories from your schools.
Healthy Active Learning, Te Tai Tokerau
HAUORA – WELLBEING
He hauora, Te taonga –Health is wealth
Infusing Te Whare Tapa Whā at Ohaeawai Primary School 04
TAMA TŪ, TAMA ORA - QUALITY PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
Tama tū, Tama oraYou stand, you live
Transforming the Learning Environment at Ahipara School 11
Traditional Māori games at Ruakākā School 15
Ohaeawai Wheel-a-thon fundraiser 18
Infusing Te Whare Tapa Whā at Ohaeawai Primary School
Ohaeawai Primary School integrates Te Whare Tapa Whā into their curriculum, enriching students’ wellbeing with mindfulness and yoga and fostering resilience and personal growth.
At Ohaeawai Primary School in the heart of Northland, Te Whare Tapa Whā is a visible and integral part of the school’s learning environment.
This holistic Māori health model, introduced by Sir Mason Durie, comprises four key dimensions of wellbeing: taha tinana (physical), taha whānau (family), taha wairua (spiritual), and taha hinengaro (mental). By embedding these principles into everyday learning, the school ensures that tamariki receive a well-rounded education that fosters both academic and personal growth.
At Ohaeawai Te Whare Tapa Whā is integrated into their graduate student profile, visible in planning documents and visual aids around the school and woven across the curriculum.
Now each strand of the Health and PE curriculum is also linked to a corresponding dimension of Te Whare Tapa Whā, enabling kaiako to unpack the concept of Hauora for themselves and their ākonga.
Supported by the school’s Healthy Active Learning team, the school formed a partnership with Sport Northland’s Green Presciprtion kaimahi, who brought expertise in mindfulness and yoga.
Over the course of four sessions, tamariki were introduced to mindfulness through audio resources, Go Noodle activities and basic yoga poses. This initiative was thoughtfully timed to coincide with Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, during which a Ko te Pito yoga and mindfulness routine was introduced.
Hauora
Yoga poses poster displayed in a classroom at Ohaeawai School.
By embedding mindfulness into daily routines, the school aimed to help students manage stress, regulate emotions, focus in class and cultivate a positive outlook.
Now each strand of the Health and PE curriculum is also linked to a corresponding dimension of Te Whare Tapa Whā, enabling kaiako to unpack the concept of Hauora for themselves and their ākonga.
CALM DOWN YOGA for kids
I am strong. WARRIOR 2 POSE
I am kind. TREE POSE
I am brave. CHAIR POSE
I am friendly. DOWNWARD-FACING DOG POSE
I am wise. HERO POSE
OCEAN YOGA
I am a jellyfish. STANDING FORWARD BEND
I am a shark. LOCUST POSE
I am a dolphin. DOLPHIN POSE
I am a crab. TABLE TOP POSE
I am a turtle. TORTOISE POSE
The effectiveness of this approach is evident in the daily routines. Every morning, ākonga participate in a 10 minute fitness rotation that includes activities such as running, skipping, huff and puff exercises and yoga. Each kaiako runs an activity alongside house leaders with students in house groups setting a positive tone for the day and contributing to both physical and mental readiness for learning. The school’s journey incorporating Te Whare Tapa Whā demonstrates the commitment to nurturing well-rounded and resilient students while providing them with the tools to thrive in all aspects of life.
SUPERHERO YOGA
I am brave. WARRIOR 1 POSE
I am strong. WARRIOR 2 POSE
I am peaceful. PEACEFUL WARRIOR POSE
I am kind. WARRIOR 3 POSE
I am a superhero! HALF MOON POSE
Download Yoga posters here
Lewis Wallace Kaimahi supporting this school Gina Matiu
Kids Yoga Stories posters used by Ohaeawai School.
Transforming the Learning Environment at Ahipara School
Introducing play mats in the neurodiverse class has transformed learning by fostering sensory development, motor skills, communication, mindfulness and social interaction.
The introduction of soft play equipment at Ahipara School has sparked a transformation in the way neurodiverse tamariki are communicating, learning and self-regulating.
“The new play mats have created various opportunities for our non-verbal students to engage with our verbal students as they share a similar enjoyment of climbing, balancing, rolling and many other physical activities within the classroom environment,” says Rebecca Cosner, the Kaiako behind this initiative.
Recognising the traditional playground was often overhwhelming for her students with sensory sensitivity, Rebecca accessed Tū Manawa Funding to purchase soft play mats to offer a calm space for students to rest and listen to stories admist the bustle of school life.
“The playground can be overwhelming for our neurodiverse ākonga; they often don’t want to go there during break times due to too many students.” She says the school’s current playground doesn’t suit their needs, with the climbing activities in particular proving a challenge.
Their has been a shift in dynamics since the introduction of the soft play equipment. Tamariki are now more willing to take risks, express themselves and engage with other students.
“The mats are not only a great resource to encourage movement, but they have also become a safe space where tamariki can be mindful and recharge when needed”
- Rebecca Cosner
Tama tū, Tama ora
The impact of the play mats extends beyond the class with students from across the school joining in, fostering an inclusive atmosphere that promotes rich, collaborative experiences. “They have been a great investment for our class and all the students who come on a regular basis, as well as those invited to hang out and see what our neurodiverse students are learning and engaging in” Rebecca adds.
The play mats have proven to be a driving force for social development, tuakana-teina relationships and communication between students. Tamariki learn from one another, copying actions, following instructions, taking turns, showing patience and boosting their confidence during classes at Kaitaia Gymnastics Club.
This kaupapa demonstrates the importance that tailored educational resources can have on a diverse student body, fostering a more inclusive and supportive school environment.
“Having the climbing equipment by my classroom has provided a safe space that is easily accessible during sessions. It is available for all ākonga to use during break times, encouraging social development, tuakana-teina, ako and manaakitanga with peers”.
Healthy Active Learning facilitator Anna Morrogh says she has enjoyed seeing the class in action.
“Rebecca is an amazing kaiako and her students are very lucky to have her advocating for them.
With her vision supported by Tū Manawa, a beautiful, happy space has been created for these tamariki to learn and develop in their own way while they are encouraged to be themselves”
Tamariki using play equipment inside the classroom.
Kaimahi supporting this school
Traditional Māori games at Ruakākā School
Ruakākā School is enriching students’ cultural connections by revitalizing traditional Māori games like Pūkao and Ki o Rahi, guided by Harko Brown’s workshop. This fosters collaboration and embeds mātauranga Māori into their curriculum.
Ruakākā School has been integrating traditional Māori games into their curriculum to enhance the educational experiences of their students. Kaiako from Ruakākā School attended a taonga tākaro workshop facilitated by Harko Brown, educationalist and Māori games champion. This workshop, organized by Physical Education New Zealand (PENZ), provided teachers with culturally responsive, practical and enjoyable games designed to deepen their connection with te ao Māori and kaupapa Māori. During the fullday workshop, educators learned about the whakapapa, tikanga and protocols of various Māori kēmu (games). The workshop emphasised the concept of Ira Tākaro and encouraged kaiako to reflect critically on their current practices.
Kaiako said they left the workshop feeling energised and with a kete of resources and games to take back into the classroom. One of the highlights was Pūkao, an ancient Māori game involving narrative about the cultivation and storing of kūmara.
“I thought this was a really cool and fun kēmu and thought that this would be something that our tamariki would really benefit from and enjoy,” shared a kaiako from Ruakākā School.
Healthy Active Learning School
Connector Sam contributed to the
momentum from Harko’s workshop by supporting a refresher session on making ki/kūmara, essential components needed for the Pūkao game. A few weeks later Ruakākā School set up various takaro stations, including Ki o Rahi, Pūkao, Kuku, Tu-poko and Tapuwae. These stations aimed to foster collaboration between the English and Māori medium classes,
incorporating Māori students from English medium into kaupapa Māori activities.
Inspired by the energy and dedication of the kaiako who attended Harko Brown’s 2023 workshop, a group of beginning teachers attendend the next, continuing the momentum of integrating these learnings into the school curriculum.
Tama tū, Tama ora
Kaiako at the Harko Brown tākaro workshop
“I am keen to keep building on this kaupapa. Getting ki o rahi more ingrained in our kaupapa is the next step.” - Ariki
Natalie Wilcock
Kaimahi supporting this school
Sam Tracey
Kaiako learning about Ira tākaro and reflecting on current practices
Ohaeawai Wheel-a-Thon Fundraiser
Ohaeawai School’s 2024 Wheel-a-Thon Fundraiser united the community, raising $14,000 surpassing previous records. The event, featuring a new bike track and stationary bikes, combined active participation and community support
The Ohaeawai School 2024 school fundraiser Wheela-Thon event was a major success, uniting ākonga, staff and the wider Northland community which also utilised the school’s new bike track. The event raised an impressive $14,000, surpassing the $8,000 from the previous year’s fun run. Half of the funds raised from the adult bike ride were donated to the Cancer Society, honouring a teacher currently battling cancer.
This year students aimed to ride the equivalent distance needed to reach Ruapehu, approximately 600 kilometres from Ohaeawai School. This distance being significant as it is the distance the students will travel to Ruapehu for their ski trip which they are fundriasing for. The inclusion of stationary bikes, borrowed from local gym The Fitness Lab, allowed the community to participate, with groups entering a team of 5 to ride a total of 100km. The community showed strong support with donations of food, prizes and equipment, such as a lighting tower to light the bike track for the night
portion of the event.
The event included continuous riding sessions, with tamariki signing up for 15-minute slots. Bikes were in use for hours, pausing only from late evening to early morning due to lighting and safety. Contributions ranged from riding bikes to providing food and spot prizes, creating a festival-like atmosphere with music that made the day a huge success.
Akonga at Ohaeawai Primary making a sign for the Wheel-a-Thon Fundraiser
Tama tū, Tama ora
Clip from Ohaeawai School Wheel-a-Thon promotion video
The event was designed to be inclusive, allowing students who were not confident riders to participate with scooters. In the lead-up to the day, Bike Northland supported this kaupapa by delivering learn-to-ride sessions to assist with building up tamariki confidence and engagement to use the bike track. The entire school community participated, with even the youngest students bringing in gold coin donations and doing laps around the bike track in the afternoon.
This event reflects the school’s commitment to holistic education and community involvement. Moving forward, there are plans to improve lighting and adjust timing to ensure tamariki get adequate rest. They also aim to enhance communication with the wider community for better event awareness and participation, especially with the event’s lights and music during the evening.
Healthy Fundraising Resource
There is a healthy fundraising resource available with examples of what schools across Te Tai Tokerau have done for their fundrasing with healthy kai, non kai and event fundraising inspiration. Featuring stories from Oruaiti Schools permanent hangi pit bringing together tamariki, kaiako and the local community, Jolly Soles Socks a fun a simple non-kai fundraiser and the story above on Ohaeawai schools Wheel-a-Thon fundraiser.
Download Fundraising resource here
Lewis Wallace Kaimahi supporting this school
Gina Matiu
Te Tai Tokerau Healthy
Amy Murray
School Connector
Far North
No Hokianga ahau kei
Ahipara tōku kainga inaianei
Ann Morrogh-Yates
Facilitator
Far North
Ashleigh Ellis
Healthy Active Learning Support
Whangārei
Deanna Saxon Facilitator
Ebony Paaka
School Connector
No te whenua moemoea
ahau engari e ngakautia ana ki Hokianga kei
Ahiparapara ahau e noho ana.
Erin Steel
Facilitator Lead
Whangārei
Gina Matiu
School Connector
Mid North-East
Jen Fielden
Healthy Active Learning Lead
No Kirikiriroa ahau kei
Whangārei tōku kainga inaianei
Active Learning Kaimahi
Joel Quitta-Moses
School Connector
Hokianga
Kelvin Maxwell
Facilitator
I whānau mai au I te taha o te awa o Kirikiriroa I rarai te maru o te maunga o Piriongia
He uri ahau no Īnia, No Kānata
Kei te noho au kei Whangārei
Komene Marino
School Connector
E ngakau nui ana ki a Ihu Karaiti.
Ko te Āo hakinakina tōku kai I te ao, I te po. He kura honongaahau ki Te Tai Tokerau
Leesa Andrewes
School Connector
Kaipara-Whangārei
No Dargaville ahau kei Baylys Beach tōku kainga inaianei
Lewis Wallace
Facilitator
Mid-North
Natalie Wilcock
Facilitator
Whangārei-Kaipara area
Sam Tracey
School Connector
Whangārei-Kaipara area
Stacey Tipoki
School Connector
Mid-North
Healthy Active Learning
What is Healthy Active Learning?
Healthy Active Learning is a joint government initiative between Sport NZ, Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora, and Ministry of Education to improve the wellbeing of tamariki and rangatahi through healthy eating and drinking and quality physical activity.
Northland Resource Google Drive
Learn more about Healthy Active Learning
Sport Northland
97 Wetsern Hills drive, Kensington, Whangārei.
www.SportNorthland.co.nz
Vision: Purpose:
All Northlander’s moving more for enhanced wellbeing
To enrich Northlander’s lives by inspiring and enabling more movement
