Malfroy School students Sampreeti Raikar, 10, (left) Neveiah Tetuhi, 11, Tawai Morrison, 10, Christopher Parker, 10, Briar Lindebaum, 11, and Ella Morrison, 10. Photo/Stephen Parker
Children learn better when they feel cared for. That's the belief of Malfroy School principal Nicky Brell.
Brell said the school focused on student wellbeing and building on core values was a key part of the school.
"The more we have clear expectations, they respond accordingly," he said.
"These kids will one day be citizens of the community and world so it's important they have very strong values."
Brell said the things that were important to other schools rang true at Malfroy School too.
"Community partnerships are critical for every school and ours is no different," Brell said.
"We're all speaking the same message, the kids have to be confident around themselves, and around key competencies and values.
"We work really hard and diligently in terms of getting the best out of everybody. We've got a very supportive board and community."
Brell said, while a majority of pupils at the school were Māori, there were more than 20 different ethnicities represented at the school.
With roughly 350 pupils, Brell said getting to know everybody was achievable.
"We have very experienced staff and these staff have unique relationships with parents and caregivers. Going that extra mile is never difficult."
The pupils' eyes light up when asked about school camp.
It's one of the things the Year 6 pupils have loved about their time at the school.
"We went to Tui Ridge," Christopher Parker, 10, pipes up.
Sampreeti Raikar, 10, said the school was "caring, sharing and very nice".
About the school:
Principal: Nicky Brell
Location: Malfroy Rd, Utuhina
Type: State, co-educational, primary school
Roll: 348 (in July 2017)
Gender composition: Boys 46 per cent, girls 54 per cent (at July 2017)
Ethnic composition: Māori 68.7 per cent, Pākehā 15.5 per cent, Pasifika 7.2 per cent, other 8.6 per cent (at July 2017)
Motto: We strive to do our personal best and help to make a happy caring school.
A disregard for authority could be why those attending court are thumbing their noses.