TALL learners are proud of who they are, where they come from, and have ambition for where their strengths can take them. This vision is central to the learning we do at Heathcote Valley School and is supported by our values; kaitiakitanga, manaakitanga, kotahitanga, manawaroa, and auaha. 

Manawaroa

I have the courage to work through challenges
I strive to be the best person and learner I can be
I work hard to reach my goals and accept it might not be easy

Manawaroa (Mah - nah - wah - row - ah) translates as ‘the heart beats for a long time’ (manawa - heart, roa - long). It is a term used to refer to perseverance or never giving up. It also encompasses terms such as stamina, doggedness, determination, and grit. Displaying courage, bravery and staying power, endurance, resilience, and fortitude towards achieving your best. 

Kotahitanga

I understand how to be part of a team and show this by learning well with others
I join in and give everything a go
I get to know others even though they may be different

Kotahitanga (coe - tar - hee - tongue - ah) refers to being ‘one’. A sense of togetherness through collaboration and unity lead to collective action and a shared sense of belonging. Maintaining and enhancing relationships are central to developing togetherness and unity. Collective action is possible when people are connected and committed to one another and guided by a collective vision.

Auaha

I feel excited by my learning
I think about a problem and explore different ways to solve it
I want to know more about the world around me
I use my imagination to create new or improved ideas

Auaha (Oh - wa - ha) means to be creative or innovative. This is seen as the product of being inquiring and curious or igniting a passion for learning. Auaha involves adapting and improvising, an ability to solve problems and be inventive, as well as fixing and creating solutions.

Kaitiakitanga

I help care for our people, our place, our culture
I am a responsible member of our learning community

Kaitiakitanga (kye - tee - ah - key - tongue - ah) is actively working to protect the people, environment, and culture that is important to Heathcote Valley for future generations.

Kaitiaki is a term used for the concept of guardianship, for the sky, the sea, and the land. A kaitiaki is a guardian, and the process and practices of protecting and looking after the environment and its people are referred to as kaitiakitanga.

There is a deep connection between humans and the natural environment, humans are part of the natural world. Kaitiakitanga involves caring for the mana, tapa and mauri (life force) of the environment and people within it.

Manaakitanga

I show kindness through my words and actions
I consider how others might be feeling and know how to respond
I think about what I am grateful for and thank those that help me

Showing manaakitanga (mar - nar - key - tongue - ah) is a way of uplifting the mana of others. Manaakitanga acknowledges our responsibility to give at all times with generosity and respect, and in a manner that is consistent with enhancing the wairua and mana (pride) of other people. It is often claimed that it is not what is said that matters but how people are looked after. This is the essence of manaakitanga.

Manaakitanga is everyone’s responsibility and is given, demonstrated, enlivened from aroha, kindness, and caring.