Te Wharekura o Kirikiriroa
Kura-ā-iwi · 87% attendance rate · Self-developed school curriculum and teacher development programme · Integration and adoption of power BI and AI · Allocated school board seat for local iwi
Te Wharekura o Kirikiriroa is a testament to the power of community, industrious visionaries and what it takes to fortify belief to realise a collective purpose.
Located within the Ngāti Wairere rohe of Hamilton, their origins arise from a desire for Kohanga Reo tamariki to continue their education journey immersed in te reo & te ao Māori. Following the Tomorrow’s Schools Reforms of the 80’s, the whānau and community rallied together to transition an English medium primary school into Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Ara Rima, the first kura kaupapa in Hamilton. Not without its challenges.
As the kura continued to grow and adapt to serve the aspirations of their whānau and community, each step was met with resistance:
the desire to expand the school roll [p-j0 serve intermediate aged tamariki (Y7-Y8) - this provision was eventually granted;
government threat to close down the school in the early 2000’s, which saw the parents of the kura protest by way of a sit-in occupation - the kura remained open;
refusal from MoE to requests to become a wharekura - the kura whānau persisted;
renaming the kura ‘Te Wharekura o Kirikiriroa’ was initially refused as ‘Kirikiriroa’ is used as the Māori name for Hamilton. Whereas the name describes an old pā site belonging to Ngāti Wairere, mana whenua of the area. The name was eventually accepted.
Regardless of resistance or challenge, the kura whānau and community continually persevered to achieve their goals.
The unique identity of the school requires a specific type of leadership and teacher, as well as prospective whānau who wish to be part of the kura. Therefore, Te Wharekura o Kirikiriroa developed a shared leadership approach that empowers all members of their community to lead and be responsible for the education experience of their tamariki; from kaiako to whānau, from ākonga (students) to the Board. Enabled by focussing on their unique history, the aspirations of their community, community collaborations and delivered through a culturally relevant, purpose built curriculum.