Philosophy

Nga Pou o Paihia Early Childhood Centre

TE POU

Te Pou Te pou (Kaea) – The supports, The sustenance

Te tokotoko i whenuku – The provision/protection from (Papatuanuku)

Te tokotoko i wherangi – Provision/ protection from above (Ranginui)

Tokia Tukia – ravages and attack

Ko te mumu Ko te awha (Kaea) – Be that by the wind and the storm

Ko te mumu Ko te awha – Be that by the wind and the storm

Ko te manihi kai ota – Ripped up and strewn about

Takiri panapana – Here lies the crops pulled up

Ka rau i runga Ka rau i raro – Gathered from above, gathered from the earth

Ka whai tamore i runga – Seek what is well rooted from above

Ka whai tamore i raro– Seek what is well rooted from the earth

Tena ko te Pou (kaea) – This is the support

Tena ko te pou – This is the support

Te Pou o Rongo, no Rongo Mauri ora – The support of Rongo, from Rongo wellbeing

Ka o a e  e – From the O and from the A.

The Pou/Pillars

Our Pou provide a holistic world view seen through a bicultural lens that is relevant to and for all.

Collectively they form a strong learning foundation that enhances a vibrant, sustainable, and caring environment.

Staff, whanau, the curriculum, including our environment and its natural resources, will contribute toward providing the best possible outcomes for each and every tamaiti.

Definitions for our Pou

Kaitiakitanga – Guardianship

A kaitiaki is a guardian, or a caregiver or care provider like teachers, parents and even our children.

Whakawhanaungatanga – Building Relationships 

Trust, hope and honesty, will promote confidence, participation, acceptance and leadership.

Awhinatanga – Guiding & Supporting

Focuses on respect, integrity, being coherent, and thoughtful.

Mātauranga – Education

Facilitation, continuity, planning, programming, and execution.

Kaitiakitanga – Guardianship

“He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tangata, he tangata, He tangata”

“What is the most important thing in the world? It is people, it is people, it is people”.

As Papatῡānuku is our most treasured resource, we will ensure a safe and stimulating environment is made available for our tamariki, to help provoke opportunities for exploration and inquiry learning. Also, a constant evolving environment, should appeal to them and inspire their developing needs and interests.

By promoting learning experiences about sustainability, recycling and the caring of Papatῡānuku for future generations, ngā tamariki should develop respect, responsibility, and appreciation for the environment and its resources, including those of the wider community.

Tamariki will become so compassionate about their surroundings and their place in this world, that they will be empowered to teach and share experiences, including the taking on of leadership responsibilities.

Whakawhanaungatanga – Building Relationships

“Kei ia Mokopuna  te mana whakarite  kia hari pai tona whaioranga kia rongo i te ahurutanga o tona taiao, kia atawhaitia i roto i te poho o tona whānau”.

“It is the right of each mokopuna to enjoy good health, to be nurtured in a safe environment cloaked in a korowai of freedom, dignity, and respect”.

Encompassed by a strong relationship created through trust and respect between staff, whānau, and the community, our tamariki will realise that they are in a safe and secure learning environment.

A positive sense of belonging and inclusion will then begin to generate within each individual especially when cultural values are identified, accepted and shared.

Continual communication between staff, whānau, and children will be the key objective, especially to create a united environment, that enables all to embrace and support each other’s differences and contributions “hei aha no hia koe” (Regardless of where one is from).

Awhinatanga – Guiding & Supporting

“Whāia e koe te iti kahurangi ki te tuohu koe, me maunga teitei”.

“Seek the treasure that you value most dearly, if you bow your head, let it be to a lofty mountain” (Perseverance).

We will encourage and support individual leadership through valuing the level of contributions, passion, and meaningful experiences one would bring to the centre.

We are mindful that ongoing learning will create a broader knowledge base for all learners, whereby a cohesive learning environment would be created through the continued use of nurturing, support, and encouragement.

We will strive to be a strong and supportive team that will value and respect each other’s ideas and skills. By constantly reflecting on internal evaluations we will be able to determine the most positive changes required within our learning and teaching environment. It will also enable the growth of our individual needs and/or necessities for professional development.

Matauranga – Education

“Naku te rourou nau te rourou ka ora ai te tamaiti”.

 “With your basket (of knowledge) and my basket (of knowledge) the child will learn”.

We respect and appreciate our unique location here in Aotearoa with opportunities to research and explore our cultural heritage; and, with Te Whāriki being a holistic framework, enables us to provide everyday experiences that acknowledges and promotes the partnership of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Similarly, we work in partnership with our whānau to understand their aspirations to develop a curriculum that would be built on each child’s knowledge and experiences.

Through planned and emergent experiences tamariki will be exposed to all areas of the curriculum that will extend their individual needs, strengths and interests.

Confident tamariki will emerge from a curriculum that provides successful and positive outcomes. They will then be empowered to take on leadership roles, and will be privileged to have familiarity and understanding of te reo Māori me ngā tikanga Māori hoki.