Ngā Kaupapa Māori

Rōpū Tautoko

Whānau Hui

We have an active Whānau who meet 3 or 4 times a year to discuss all things that relate to Māori Students at school. Each term we have specific foci that focusses on aspects of our boys’ life here at school.

Whānau Strategic Group

This smaller group of whānau have been meeting to develop our Māori Strategic Goals such as Māori achievement, providing opportunities for Māori students to engage with Tainui (Poukai and Koroneihana), discuss Māori attendance, cultural opportunities and many more issues relating to our boys.

Māori Staff Achievement Group

This group of Māori staff, has been formed to focus on how we as a staff can better support our Māori boys in our school. Initiatives from this group have been a Māori student mentoring program, Māori Graduate Profile and a school wide language program for staff Te Reo development. 

Opportunities

Manu Kōrero

Students may represent the school at the annual Tainui Waka Regional Manu Kōrero Competition. This is not only a Māori Language competition - there is also an English section. The competition commemorates Dr Pei Te Hurinui Jones, who was a Maori leader for Ngati Maniapoto, Waikato

Kapa Haka

We have a school kapa haka group who have combined with our sister school Sacred Heart Girls College that perform at local festivals and competitions within our area.

Sports 

In addition to their regular extra-curricular activities, students have the opportunity to compete in Ki-o Rahi and Waka Ama competitions. These are rapidly growing sports in New Zealand and internationally.

Whānau Class

We have a form class of Māori students who meet every morning. Each day we begin with a himene, a karakia and then follow with basic tikanga (customs). The boys can take these tikanga back to their marae and be comfortable to participate in. The boys are grouped in hapū (smaller sub-groups) and given a name of one of the Kingitanga. Each hapū has a rangatira (chief) who leads and guides his group. Each hapū has a responsibility to lead the morning kawa (protocol) of our class each week. Currently our boys are going into other form classes and teaching the new haka that has been implemented this year. This allows them to practise their leadership skills. 

Dean of Māori Students

Matua Jacob Kelly is the Dean of Māori Students for St John’s College. He is responsible for the pastoral care of Māori students in consultation with the year level Deans. 

The Dean of Māori Students focuses on student achievement, attendance and consultation with Whānau regarding student welfare.

For all enquiries regarding Te Ao Māori at St John’s College please contact Matua Kelly or Matua Dwayne.