Kia ora and welcome to Pukehou School. It is a privilege to lead such a wonderful school in the heart of Central Hawkes Bay.
Pukehou has many stories to tell, and we recognise the important role we have in keeping them alive. We have a proud history as an Enviro School and utilise our unique wider environment to support our learning.
Our school has a friendly, caring environment and a wonderfully supportive staff and community who work together as a team to enable our students to achieve their full potential by provising rich learning experiences. We believe that learning can and should be fun!
At Pukehou School, we believe in developing the whole child. Our values – Whanaungatanga (Relationships), Manaakitanga (Respect), Oranga Hauora (Healthy Living), and Tanagata Whenuatanga (Citizenship) – are important to us and underpin all that we do.
Wisdom begins with Wonder, and we believe that children learn best through play, discovery, exploration, and inquiry. Learning is social and learners should be active. Our children are encouraged to strive, to take risks, and to set high expectations: Whaiā te iti kahurangi, ki te tūohu koe me he maunga teitei! At Pukehou trees are there to be climbed and learning opportunities are all around us.
Our junior class (Kererū) blends traditional teaching methods along with a play philosophy where children learn to communicate, negotiate and problem solve with their peers and teachers. Our middle school, (Kea) has a similarly balanced programme that increases the ability of students to be more independent through the self-directed learning opportunities. Our senior class, Kāhu uses a similarly blended approach that allows learners to develop agency and the skills necessary to succeed at a secondary (and beyond) level.
Whilst we are rural, we are also a connected community. We actively seek new opportunities and events for our students to attend, whilst also exploring our natural environment closer to home. Our endeavour to enhance and protect our environment is an exciting lens that allows us opportunities to seek community enhancement projects connected to our environment.
We are very fortunate to have a wonderfully dedicated and dynamic team of teachers and support staff who strive to ensure all children receive the best possible education. Our school offers small class sizes so our students receive greater one-on-one time with their teachers. Being a rural community we work together to fundraise for the school through our Parents, Whanau and Friends (PWF) fundraising group.
We have a wonderfully supportive Pukehou School Board who work tirelessly to ensure our children are receiving the best possible education.
You are most welcome to visit and experience the positive learning atmosphere our school has to offer. Please contact the office by phone (06) 856 8169 or office@nullpukehou.school.nz to make an appointment.
Rob Pratt
Tumuaki ⎮ Principal