Te Whānau o Ōtūmatua
Whakarangatirahia - Be the best you can be
Welcome to our kura
Nau mai, haere mai
Our purpose at Te Whānau o Ōtūmatua is to empower ākonga with a sense of self and purpose, to enable success and lifelong engagement within their local communities.
Noticeboard
Kupu from our former ākonga and whānau
Thank you for all the hard work you've done with our son. It has made a huge difference for him, and your patience and guidance will not be forgotten.
Kupu from a former whānau
My time at HRC - kupu from a former ākonga
When I came to HRC, I needed to learn how to behave better in school and at home.
At HRC, I learned to have good manners; be more tolerant of other kids; and resilience, I can stay calm (most of the time).
I never thought I would change. I never thought I would go to a trampoline park.
My family say that I'm more kind, more mature, and I've definitely been a lot different.
Email from former whānau
Bit of a random email I know. But just wanted to reach out and let you all know that Michael is doing amazingly. Without you all at Halswell we wouldn't be where we are today. He copes on the bus to and from school, and does a whole school day. You all do amazing work and we are so grateful that Michael had the opportunity to go to Halswell.
To all the team in the whare and school....Thank you, You all helped Michael beyond what we ever anticipated or expected. He misses you all.
Please pass on our gratitude and thanks to all involved with Michael.
Sarina Fenemor, 2024
WHAKARANGATIRAHIA
Be the best that you can be
A massive thank you, for all the hard work everyone has done over the past year with V. He is a completely different person to the angry child he was.
Each one of you should be proud to say that you work there.
Thank you so much for having V there and being 'family' with him.
Former whānau
I would to say a huge thank you to everyone involved with our son at HRC over the past 2 years. HRC was really a blessing for our family.
All the amazing and hard work everyone put in to support and help our son has been amazing. We really appreciate you all. Our son would not be where he is today without you.
It has been an up and down two years, but we made it. None of it would have been achieved without you all.
Our family has really noticed a change, so thank you so much from all of us.
Former ākonga whānau
My time at HRC
When I came to HRC, I needed to work on my behaviour, such as violence, bullying, and sharing with other young people.
At HRC, I learned to trust people, be helpful to others, and keep my hands and feet to myself.
I never thought I would get to learn mountain biking skills, go walking up big hills, and have lots of outdoor education.
My family say they are proud of me going to school, and I am doing better.
Kupu from a former ākonga
Thank you everyone at HRC for helping me and taking care of me.
Thank you for helping me make friends. It makes me happy.
I miss HRC. HRC was like my home and I didn't want to leave. I miss you all. I wish I could stay forever.
Kupu from a former whānau
Hi, I wanted to let you know the results from the Special Olympics in Berlin.
He got in all the finals, and he came 4th in the 200m run, 3rd in the relay, and earned himself a silver medal in the long jump (only 8cm away from gold).
We are beyond proud, and feeling so happy; we feel HRC has played a huge part in his life.
To all the staff at HRC
Thank you for all you have done for our grandson. It has been a joy to see him grow and mature after his time at HRC.
I just wish the care he was given was available to all that need it.
Former ākonga whānau
To the Principal and Staff,
Thank you very much for the care and special life you are giving our grandson.
We love him dearly, and we were so thrilled at the change in him when he came home in the holidays.
...this new grandson is a change so wonderful; we are so happy it boosts our life up. Thank you all.
From his loving Grandparents
My time at HRC - kupu from a former ākonga
When I came to HRC, I needed to learn to stay in class, swear less, and stay settled.
At HRC I learnt to stay settled, having good relationships with my teachers helped me to stay settled. I have also learnt to swear less because Lee gave me alternative words like "Cheese and Whiskers", ""Fudge", and "Furgargle".
I never thought I would go skiing, be the caller in kapa haka or ride drift trikes.
My family say that I am doing really well at school and my mum wishes it was easier to get kids into HRC.
I say - I will miss HRC.
'I congratulate all involved for the work you are doing to ensure your school is providing a high quality of education for its learners...
I note the positive impact the school is having responding to children whose learning and achievement need acceleration.'
Hon Chris Hipkins MP
Kupu from a former ākonga whānau
We can't express enough gratitude for the hard work that you and your staff put into making HRC a home away from home where our young people get to be themselves, make mistakes, laugh, dance, sing and thrive in a safe place that enables them to grow into incredible young people.
Thank you for the energy you all put into raising R. You are a true taongoa and we will never forget any of you.
You gave us back an amazing young man, when he went in as a broken boy.
Arohanui, with love and affection always in our hearts.
We believe that
every interaction with
every ākonga by every staff member has the potential to make a difference for that student.
To experience success in education rangitahi need to feel safe, make connections, and learn ways to manage their emotions.