Principal credits educational success to strong cultural values

A principal at a school that holds the highest NCEA pass rate in the country says having a cultural premise to learning has helped their students' succeed.

Te Kura Māori o Ngā Tapuwae has been recognised as achieving the highest NCEA pass rate in 2023, of any state school in Aotearoa.

Principal Arihia Stirling says students across the country have had a tough time after Covid, and is pleased with her students' resilience.

“One of the things that stands out for me is we’ve come out of Covid. That’s been detrimental to our children's learning across the country, and of course here in Māngere.

“We had a flood event last year, and unfortunately having those two major challenges here in Māngere - it is extra special that our students did really well.

“I just think that it’s just another indication for school systems that when you work from a cultural premise for our students, they can do really well.”

All year 11, 12 and 13 students at the Māngere-based school passed levels 1, 2, and 3 in NCEA. Stirling says the success came down to the students and families' understanding of the school's values.

“(We) allow our children to know they can achieve, and they deserve knowledge and that they are successful and intelligent, that’s our affirmation everyday.

“Part of our success is our parents, and understanding we have a specific way that we need our children to be here and they always mark up. We ask our parents to make sure they have 8-10 hours of sleep, we’ll feed them and make sure they have good food so they can learn well.

“We’ve changed the way we provide education so it can be a joyful experience.”

Stirling mentions the schools “Te Waiora o Rona” programme that helps build resilience for students that may be struggling at home.

In addition to their holistic approach, Stirling says there is a lot of support for students to help navigate their cultural identity.

“Whatever whakapapa or genealogy students bring to our schools is important. Our parents can see that te reo māori is important but other languages at home are important too.

“For Māori children with Pasifika backgrounds can feel a loss of identity, we help them learn things in a Māori cultural environment . But also an opportunity to raise an opportunity to learn more of themselves.

“Thinking about the future, Māori and Pacific or bicultural children will be really profound in population stats. So we need to get ready for that, so let's get on and embrace that.”

Watch the full interview from our 531PI Pacific Mornings Show: