Te Puna Ākona

Te Puna Ākona is a Māori immersion pathway for students, Years 1-6, consisting of two classrooms. The underpinning philosophy is inclusive of the school whakatauki ‘Ko Te Tamaiti Te Pūtake O Te Kaupapa,’ ‘The Child, The Heart Of The Matter.’

Te Hītori o Te Puna Ākona

Te Puna Ākona was established in 2012 in consultation with whānau and local community. The official opening and blessing of the classrooms took place on 18 April 2013. Te Puna Ākona was named by Matua Tamati Howard meaning, ‘The Source of Learning.‘ Originally, the Māori bilingual pathway consisted of one classroom which has since grown to two classrooms for Years 1-6.

Te Pepeha

Ko Matukuturua ngā Maunga

Ko te Manukatanga o Hoturoa te Moana

Ko Te Puhinui te Awa

Ko Tainui te Waka

Ko Te Waiōhua me Waikato ngā Iwi

Ko Ngāti Te Ata me Te Akitai ngā Hapū

Ko te Kura o Papatoetoe ki te Tonga te Marae

Ko Te Puna Ākona te Wāhanga Ako

Ngā Uaratanga – Values

Students will have a strong sense of school values – Whanaungatanga, Ako, Kaitiakitanga, Aroha.

Nga Mātāpono – Guiding Principles

Students will demonstrate the Guiding Principles of Te Puna Ākona: Kaitiakitanga, Māna Motuhake, Whakapiringatanga, Taha Māori.

Language Aspiration

Pūmau ana ki te reo

Pūmau ana ki ngā tikanga

Pūmau ana ki te kōrero māori

Te Puna Ākona is Level 3 Māori Immersion delivering 30% of the curriculum in Te Reo Māori and 70% in English from Years 1-6.

Te Puna Ākona Enrolment Policy / Entry Criteria

In addition to our school enrolment criteria, whānau of any nationality who wish to enrol their tamaiti/tamariki in Te Puna Ākona will:

• ideally have attended kohanga reo or preschool

• attend an enrolment interview with the Te Kaihautū o te Ako

• maintain 85% attendance or higher

• parents or guardians must engage with their child’s learning and attend whānau hui once a term

• all ākonga are expected to participate in kapa haka.