Whānau System

Whānau Groups

At Inglewood Primary School, we believe that belonging is the foundation of learning. To foster this, our students from Year 3 to Year 8 are grouped into a vibrant Whānau (House) System. These multi-age groups allow our tamariki to move beyond their year-level classrooms and become part of a smaller, supportive "school family."

Why We Use a Whānau System

Our house structure is designed to create a culture of belonging and leadership. By grouping students of different ages together, we achieve several key goals:

• Tuakana Teina (Mentoring) - This is the heart of our system. It provides a natural space for our older students to step up as mentors, caring for and guiding our younger learners.

• Building Lasting Friendships - By interacting across different year levels, students build a wider circle of friends and learn to communicate with peers of all ages.

• Identity and Belonging - Each Whānau group has its own unique identity and values. This gives students a sense of pride and a collective "voice" within the school.

• Leadership - We provide frequent opportunities for student leadership, encouraging our tamariki to take initiative and turn their house values into real-world actions.

• House Spirit: Through friendly challenges and collaborative projects, we build a healthy sense of competition and school-wide unity.

It’s not just the children! Our staff are also members of these Whānau groups, allowing teachers and students to interact in a more relaxed, community-focused setting. This breaks down barriers and ensures every child has multiple trusted adults they can turn to. Through our Whānau system, we ensure that no student is just a name on a roll—they are an essential part of a team.

Naming of our Whānau Groups

Maunga Taranaki is immensely powerful to all who live in Taranaki but even more so to some and it is significant to Inglewood Primary School in that it is the ground we are built on and the first thing you see each morning as you arrive at School ready to start a new day. It towers over us, watching and protecting as it has done for hundreds of years (or more).

We have named our Whanau groups after this Majestic landmark to recognise its significance to our School Whanau and to our Ancestors. Puke Haupapa is our Turangawaewae.

Puke Haupapa – Means ‘Ice Hill’ The name Maunga Taranaki was given when he first arrived in Taranaki following the Battle of the Mountains.

Tokomaru -Tokomaru was one of the great ocean-going canoes that were used in the migrations that settled New Zealand.

Pouakai – named after two Prominent Maori Chiefs from the Taranaki Iwi.

Waiongana iti Waiongana iti – is the river that flows beside the school.

Panitahi –(Fanthams Peak) considered the second peak of our Maunga and recognised as such by some in South Taranaki.