Hokowhitu School Charter
History.
Hokowhitu School was opened in February, 1924, by Mr J.A.. Nash, M.P. At this time there were 204 children on the school roll. Apart from a brief interruption at the end of 1941, when the school was closed for military use, the school has remained on the site. Further classrooms and a school hall, have been added over the years, but the original, heritage building is still a significant feature of the school.
Throughout the years Hokowhitu School has been fortunate to have a dedicated and motivated teaching staff and enthusiastic pupils. Successes in the academic and sporting fields have been numerous and in the past as in the present day, our school has been a place where children have felt motivated, cared for and challenged. We treasure our school as being a great place for children, socially, emotionally and intellectually.
Our school......
- Encourages children to learn in a supportive, caring and positive environment.
- Attends to children's emotional as well as intellectual needs.
- Has a safe, happy environment for children, in a warm, welcoming and relaxed family atmosphere, where children feel important as individuals and as part of a team.
- Delivers well balanced learning experiences where children gain a sound grasp of basic skills and knowledge, to the best of their abilities.
- Provides a wide range of challenging and stimulating learning activities across all curriculum areas.
- Operates ‘future focussed’ classrooms that meet educational needs for the 21st century.
- Has dedicated and enthusiastic staff, who genuinely care for our students.
- Has children from a wide range of cultures.
- Has frequent involvement with students and staff members from Massey University College of Education.
- Practices the principles of Ti Tiriti O Waitangi through a partnership with the tangata whenua Rangitaane O Manawatu, through Te Mauri o Rangitaane O Manawatu and Tanenuiarangi Incorporated.
Hokowhitu School Vision.
Equipping children for their journey in life.
The name “Hokowhitu” is a military term, used by Maori to describe a group of warriors, with the last Hokowhitu a Tu being the 28th (Maori) Battalion in the Second World War. The significance of the name 'Hokowhitu” lies with the values and symbolism of this, and with the deeds and valour and self sacrifice associated with the warriors of Te Hokowhitu A Tu.
The area Hokowitu in which our school is situated holds special spiritual significance to the tangata whenua Rangitaane O Manawatu.This area was occupied by Pa sites in pre-European times and within the area were located some of their main lagoons and mahinga kai.
The “Te Hokowhitu A Tu” warriors of the past went forth into battle with courage, determination, weapons and fighting skills. The Hokowhitu School warriors of today will go forth with a wide range of attributes that will enable them to fully participate in the world of tomorrow.
Kete 1: “A Great Place for Kids!”
We will:
- Provide a secure and safe environment.
- Provide positive role models and expect high standards of social skills and behaviour.
- Encourage and model and practice positive social interactions everyday in our classroom.
- Care.
- Value diversity.
Key attributes:
- Positive and happy
- Great self esteem
- Confident
- Maker of lifelong friends
- Caring and sharing
- Compassionate
- Independent
- Responsible
- Sense of humour
- Tolerant and accepting
- Courtesy and respect
- Cultural sensitivity.
Kete 2: “Learners for Life!”
We will:
- Be learners together.
- Assess each child’s individual needs and give them the appropriate skills required to learn.
- Work together to provide an environment which fosters lifelong learning.
Key attributes:
- Personalised learning.
- Mastery of numeracy and literacy
- Highly motivated learners
- Love of learning
- Ability to continue own learning
- Collaborative
- Inquiry learning
- Problem solver
- Mastery of ICT as a learning and communication tool.
Kete 3: “Let the Ideas Fly!”
We will:
- Value innovation and creativity.
- Encourage children to think outside of the square and have confidence to take risks and explain their thinking.
- Provide children with the skills to believe anything is possible and that the glass is half full.
Key attributes:
- Creative
- Imaginative
- Risk taker
- Individual
- Adventurous
- Problem solver
- Thinker
- Original
- Expressive
Kete 4: “Aim for the Top!”
We will:
- Always have high expectations
- Be the best we can be
- Work with children to ensure achievement to best of their potential.
Key attributes:
- Aim for excellence at all times
- Extraordinary
- Quality worker
- Self motivated
- Goal setter and achiever
- Achieving potential
- Determined
- Perseverance
- Organised
Kete 5: “Creator of Opportunities”(teachers’ role)
We will:
- Motivate learners and provide a variety of learning opportunities.
- Be the best we can be.
Key attributes:
- Energetic
- Inspirational
- Encouraging
- Coach
- Exciting
- Motivator
- Facilitator
- Guide
- Partner
- Positive
- Committed
- Dedicated
- Patient
- Respectful
- Challenging
RECOGNISING NEW ZEALAND'S CULTURAL DIVERSITY
- Hokowhitu School has a number of Maori students and recognises the importance of New Zealand's bicultural heritage.
- Hokowhitu School will provide programmes in Te Reo and tikanga including marae visits, kapahaka and language.
- Hokowhitu School, as appropriate to its community, will develop policies and practices that reflect New Zealand's cultural diversity and the unique position of Maori.
- In recognizing the unique position of Maori, Hokowhitu School will take all reasonable steps to provide instruction in Tikanga Maori (Maori culture) and Te Reo Maori (Maori language) for full time students whose parents request it.
How Will We Achieve This?
If a parent or guardian requests a higher level of tikanga and / or Te Reo than is at present evident in our school Maori programme, the staff and family will explore possibilities, which could include one or more of the following;
- Dual enrolment at the Correspondence School.
- Provide further opportunities within the child's classroom using;
- Extra resources
- Taped Programmes
- Work stations
- Computer programs
- Combining with a neighbouring school for parts of the day.
- Using local resource people i.e. Maori Adviser, or staff from Te Mauri o Rangitaane O Manawatu and Tanenuiarangi Incorporated.
- Other negotiated actions.
LOCAL GOALS (3 to 5 years)
Hokowhitu School will be the school of choice.
GOAL 1
Achieving above national average in numeracy and literacy while providing extension and enrichment learning programmes for all children.
- Commitment to improve standards of literacy especially in the initial years.
- Use assessment data to improve outcomes for Maori and Pasifika children.
- Refine assessment systems to improve use of data to guide planning for learning programmes.
- ICT will be integrated effectively into learning and teaching programmes, with a focus on using Web 2.0 technologies.
- Innovative and challenging teaching programmes that foster creative and critical thinking skills to meet the needs of 21st century education as defined in the New Zealand Curriculum.
- Challenging class programmes making provision for extension and enrichment.
- Special needs programmes
GOAL 2
An inspirational school environment meeting the emotional, social and cultural needs of our learning community. Fostering skills and attitudes that develop confident and self motivated individuals.
- Inspirational teaching.
- Celebrating achievements through positive acknowledgements of groups and individuals.
- STAR programme (School wide positive behaviour and attitude programme)
- Effective behaviour support programme.
- Recognise and celebrate cultural diversity
- Improvement of environmental working conditions for children and teachers.
- Promoting a healthy school.
GOAL 3
Encouraging a supportive partnership with all members of the wider community in support of learning programmes at Hokowhitu School.
- Raise the profile of the school through improved communications – wikis, blogs etc
- Increased parent involvement of parent and grandparent helpers in school activities.
- Special events.
- Open days
- Parents Club activities e.g Gala Day.
- Use of school facilities by outside groups - Holiday Fun, swimming pool, grounds, hall.
- Maintain the school roll.
- Creating an awareness of Rangitaane O Manawatu, the tangata whenua.
GOAL 4
Staff our school with adults who will make a positive difference in the lives of our children.
- Reecognise and affirm best practice through performance management.
- Enhance professional development to ensure all staff are challenged to further their skills and professional knowledge.
- Opportunities to visit other schools and classes.
- Use of specialist advisers and curriculum experts
- Use of specialist teaching skills.
GOAL 5
Resource and manage the school to ensure the very best of learning and recreational facilities.
- Curriculum resources.
- Library Development.
- Fund new curriculum initiatives
- Child oriented classroom environments.
- Finalise the upgrade of classroom furniture.
- Hall refurbishment.
- Develop ICT infrastructure.
- Improve school security systems
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