Culture

Whakanuia te reo me ngā tikanga kia ora. At Blenheim School, te reo Māori and Māori tikanga is an integral part of our classroom teaching.

Te Reo Māori:

All learners receive weekly lessons in te reo Māori (language) and tikanga Māori (customs and values). Through this, Māori students strengthen their identity and non-Māori students journey towards enhanced cultural understanding.
Kapa Haka (Māori Performing Arts):
The whole school enthusiastically participates weekly to learn Māori waiata, poi and haka. Kapa haka encourages whanaungatanga, confidence, leadership, discipline and well-being, which reinforce our school values. We hold kapa haka performances throughout the year at events, school concerts, Daffodil Day and the Taiopenga cultural festival.
Tuakana Teina (Peer to Peer Learning):
Our senior learners regularly buddy up with our younger learners for activities such as reading and fitness.
Hononga ki ngā Marae:
Each year our learners visit/stay at Te Hora marae or Omaka marae — excellent opportunities to learn about Māori traditions and culture.
Matariki:
Celebrating the Māori New Year.
Te Wiki o te Reo Māori:
Celebrating Māori language week.

Sport

Physical activity, fitness, fair play and competing ethically are all important outcomes from every student's participation in sporting activity. Student well-being (hauora) is a strong focus at Blenheim School. We provide opportunities for all aspects of hauora:
Taha Tinana — Physical  well-being
Taha Wairua— Spiritual well-being
Taha Hinengaro — Mental & emotional well-being
Taha Whanau — Social well-being
Taha Tinana — Physical  Health
In 2014 we had no sports teams. By 2019, we had 20 teams involving students from New Entrants to Year 6. Sport has enabled:

•  Staff to engage with students in a different environment.

• Students to experience success outside of the classroom.

• Staff to make connections with whānau through conversations on the sidelines.

• Parents to be involved in the school via coaching and managing sports teams.

• Promoting the well-being of students and whānau.

View Blenheim School's PE/Sports report here.