Marae-based school gets results

New Zealand's first tribal-based school is proving a success at making a difference in the lives of its pupils.

Te Kura Kaupapa Motuhake o Tawhiuau in Murupara has been open for just four years but already four of its students have gone on to Waikato University.

One student, 17-year-old Weronika Grace, won the English section of the regional Manu Korero speech competition, held in Turangi, and will represent the Bay of Plenty at the national speech competition in Palmerston North in September.

The school, which began in 2000 with 60 students on the roll, is in a region with high unemployment and an abysmal crime rate.

Murupara, 65km from Rotorua, is in the Whakatane District.

Today the roll stands at 95 students, 20 of those in the senior school.

Principal Pem Bird said the school's success was thanks to its unique character and the commitment of Ngati Manawa and the parents of the children who attend.

"The community is very involved and takes an integral part in the children's education.

"Our teaching is tikanga [custom] based with the culture allowing us to create a positive wairua [spirit] within the school.

"We have kaumatua, grandparents, mokopuna and tribal members taking an active role in the school.

"We also have 100 per cent attendance of parents at parent interviews.

"I believe we are quite unique and quite exclusive because we are marae-based, fostering fusion with the community.

"People have the freedom to express themselves and what they want for their children."

The school staff aimed for perfection.

"Not one of our students is allowed to leave here without at least three national qualifications," Mr Bird said.

"We have an absolute commitment to Maori culture and what drives the school is that the teachers really strive for excellence.

"The onus is on them to ensure we provide an environment that is conducive to children's learning and lifting their performance."

If a student was absent it was not a truancy officer who checked the reasons, said Mr Bird.

"Whatever [children] come through the gate with, whether it be that they are poorly clothed or that the power is turned off at home or there is no food in the cupboards, we, as an iwi, support the family.

"We want to open doors of opportunity for our children so that when they leave here, they will be productive members of society.

"It's not good enough for us to sit on our laurels ... We have to excel.

"It's not about the size of the school that matters but being relentlessly committed to raising the bar for students."

Herald Feature: Education

Related information and links

- NZPA