Te Wharekura o Ruatoki

Te Wharekura o Ruatoki is a school in the Eastern Bay of Plenty, New Zealand, serving years 1 through 13. It was established in 1896 after a visit by Richard Seddon and James CarrollIn 1978 it became New Zealand’s first officially bilingual school.Students & the SchoolThe students are currently 99% Tūhoe Māori. It serves its community and other townships close by, with children transported to school by bus, van or car from Kawerau, Whakatāne, Opotiki and Tāneatua. For many years Te Wharekura o Ruatoki has had a numerous number of highly profiled people visit the school. Many such as Political Members of the House of Representatives, High Commissioners, Sport Exponents and other notable aluminise. The school and its people are very passionate about their tikanga and kawa of their Iwi (tribe) Ngāi Tūhoe. It is within a highly prioritized tikanga (protocol) and kawa of Ngāi Tūhoe be used for welcoming guests on to the school or in to their community. Hobbies of the school and its young educators are Kapa Haka, Manu Kōrero, Waka Ama, Sports Exchange and other national school activities.The school assembles to their gymnasium every first and last day of the school week to have karakia (church). The school abides by the church of Te Haahi Ringatu, which is a common known church in New Zealand established by Te Kooti Arikirangi also known as (Te Matua Tangata). The school and its educators follow their motto “Ko tā mātau kitenga anamata, Ko te tiketike Tūhoetanga” to encourage and urge themselves strive for the highest and successful attributes education provides for all.School HousesThere are four house groups in which all students and teachers are split into.(House groups for the schools term 2 are still to be established)HistoryTe Wharekura O Ruatoki school first established in June 1896 after a short visit by two New Zealand politicians to the Ruatoki community in 1895 by James Carroll and Richard Seddon.