Organisation
In 2016, as a school community it was decided that we would organise our home teaching rooms by having straight year groups for 2017 onwards. The decision was based on shifting student achievement levels, and integrating new students into the Heretaunga Intermediate structures and systems. We have re-organised the school into three home room learning hubs, where students spend the majority of their time, and one S-T-A Hub. The focus for Term 1 is learning about our culture and heritage so we can re-name our Learning Hubs, for students to be able to identify with Heretaunga Intermediate, and link our Whanaungatanga, and Ako into their learning journey.
In 2017 our Hubs were re-named by consulting staff, students, parents, and the community to better reflect our school make-up, and give Heretaunga a sense of belonging and connection to what came before.
Ko Tukituki te awa
(Tukituki the River)
Yellow - Sunsetting on the river
According to a legend two taniwha lived in a lake situated somewhere in the upper basin of the present Tukituki River. They fought to save a boy who disappeared into the lake and their struggles formed the Waipawa and Tukituki Rivers which drained the lake. Tukituki means “to demolish” and it is thought that this refers to the destruction of the lake mentioned in the story.
Ko Rongokako te Tūpuna
(Rongokako the Ancestor)
Purple - Rongo - kaitiaki of peace and agriculture (guardian of kumara)
Tamatea Arikinui’s (captain of Tākitimu canoe) son was Rongokako, a tohunga who could take giant strides. He strode across land and sea, leaving footprints at Kahurānaki in the Heretaunga area, Kirihaehae at Māhia, and Te Tapuwae o Rongokako near Whāngārā.
Final resting place - Te Mata Peak
He Huia te tohu o te matauranga
(Huia the symbol of knowledge)
Orange - colour of the Huia beak.
The huia feather is a revered treasure for Māori and symbolises leadership and mana. The feathers from the tail of the huia were particularly prized, thought of as taonga and were worn in the hair or around the neck by both men and women.
Huia were widespread but sparse after European settlement, with most records from the Ruahine, Tararua and Rimutaka ranges.
Learning
Heretaunga dedicates the core learning time to Numeracy and Literacy – any interruption to this time is carefully considered.
Every student will spend three hours a week in the Science, Technology and Art Programme.
We have a dedicated spot in the timetable for school sport to cater for the needs of the students. The Physical Education programme supports the sport and lunchtime sport programme.