Strategic Planning for 2023:

We are simplifying our Strategic Plan and Charter, tying them more closely to our School Vision and Values, specifically through the context of our Pōhatu Tūmu (our Foundation Stones).

Before sharing the simplified model next week, here is a quick overview of our Grand Design.

One way of representing our school and the journey we are on is through the imagery of a waka (canoe). 

Crewing the waka are our WHS learners, teachers, families and our community.

Each crew member has a hoe (paddle) to drive us forward. Each hoe represents the Key Competencies at the heart of the New Zealand Curriculum - Participating and Contributing, Managing Self, Understanding and Making Meaning (oracy, literacy and numeracy skills), Relationships (relating to others), and Thinking.

Guiding us on our journey are five honu (turtles) which are the living representation of each of our Pōhatu Tūmu (Foundation Stones) - Whanaungatanga (Family), Whakamana (Leadership), Whakapono (Honesty and Integrity), Manaakitanga (Respect and Care), Turangawaewae (Belonging).

We have three elements to our Whakatakanga (Mission) - Aroha ki Ako ki Arataki (Love to Learn to Lead). 

The ocean supporting our waka is Ako (Learn) - Learning is key to our journey. 

At the back of our waka, Aroha (Love) is Te Urungi (the steering paddle) which steers our direction on our journey. 

Arataki (Lead) is the ihuwaka (the prow of our waka) pointing the way forward for us on our journey.

Our sail carries our Moemoeā (Vision) - Ā tatou tamariki, Ō tatou whenua, Ka ora te āpōpō (our children, our land, for our future) - and our sail carries us forward on our journey.

Finally, in this model, we have Tūmanako (Hope) that powers our sail. We all need Hope in our lives, and the more Hope we have, the more successful we are.

HOPE at Western Heights has its own special focus - we break it down into

Help

One

Person

Everyday.