Mission Statement

Trident High School offers a quality education in a partnership environment where excellence and respect are encouraged.

Kia Manawa Nui – Be Courageous.

The Logo

This embodies the concept of cultures within a partnership that focuses on a student learning and advancing with courage. The koru represents the community, school and parents nurturing the student.

The Motto – Kia Manawa Nui

Literally, Kia Manawa Nui means be of a big heart (courageous) and it encompasses two essential ideas:

Be courageous in your belief in yourself:

to produce quality work as a learner and have the tenacity to keep trying until you succeed;
to be respectful by caring for others and being compassionate and

supportive.

We believe by showing personal courage and self-belief, all students at Trident High School will achieve success. Furthermore, when individuals are respected by others and supported in their endeavours they have a greater chance of reaching their goals and gaining success. In turn these individuals are better placed to support those around them, building courage and respect and assuring community success.

Accordingly, Kia Manawa Nui becomes the “Trident Factor”, our very own formula for

life-long success.

OUR PHILOSOPHY

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CORE VALUES

Trident High School is a “values-based” school that focuses on quality work, respect for others and the importance of courage. Underlying these values lie the “virtues” of courtesy, thankfulness, helpfulness, responsibility, self-discipline, creativity, determination, enthusiasm and excellence. These operate in a partnership environment between the school, the student, and the home/community.

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MĀORI DIMENSIONS AND CULTURAL DIVERSITY

We celebrate the bi-culturalism that exists within the school. Our school motto of Kia Manawa Nui means be courageous.

Every fortnight staff are involved in professional learning with a focus on things Māori. The meeting is held in the school’s wharenui – a carved meeting house named Te Tahi o Te Rangi. Important visitors, new students and staff are welcomed onto our marae.

Te reo (Māori language) is taught at all levels and there is encouragement for students to be involved in Tikanga. Māori culture classes involve the concept of tuakana teina (peer mentoring), in the form of a “Te Aka Motuhake” or “whanau” class at each year level to foster group dynamics.

Entry to this class is through teacher recommendation and is based on academic performance, positive attitude and leadership potential. This structure provides the opportunity for whanau classes of different levels to mix, ie. vertical integration to encourage the tuakana teina process to operate, depending on the needs of the students.

This strategy is based on these assumptions:

Māori students would achieve better if they were in sufficient numbers to feel they were an identifiable group.
As the Te Aka Motuhake class progresses through the school and one class operates at each year level there would be opportunities for tuakana teina (peer support, seniors with juniors) to occur.
Students are encouraged to be involved in Manu Korero speech competitions and kapa haka competitions and are well supported by staff and parents.

General indicators of achievement for Māori students are:

retention of Māori students through to Year 13
the grades achieved by Māori
numbers involved in sporting and cultural activities
numbers receiving stand-downs or suspensions
number of Māori appointed as leaders (Prefects / Student Council).

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STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT

The Board of Trustees defines achievement for students at Trident as participation and/or success in the activities, events and experiences in which they are involved in and beyond school, be it as an individual, part of a team or group or as part of the full school community.

Trident is recognised within the wider community and nationally for its commitment to excellence and promoting personal best in all fields – academic, sporting and cultural. The school’s holistic view of achievement promotes and acknowledges success in all spheres.

OUR VISION

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WHAT WE WANT FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE

People:

who will be creative, energetic, and enterprising
who will seize the opportunities offered by new knowledge and technologies to secure a sustainable social, cultural, economic, and environmental future for our country
who will work to create an Aotearoa New Zealand in which Māori and Pākehā recognise each other as full Treaty partners, and in which all cultures are valued for the contributions they bring
who, in their school years, will continue to develop the values, knowledge, and competencies (Thinking; Using Language, Symbols and Text; Managing Self; Relating To Others; Participating and Contributing) that will enable them to live full and satisfying lives
who will be confident, connected, actively involved, and lifelong learners.

Confident

Positive in their own identity
Motivated and reliable
Resourceful
Enterprising and entrepreneurial
Resilient

Actively involved

Participants in a range of life contexts
Contributors to the well-being of New Zealand – social, cultural, economic, and environmental.

Connected

Able to relate well to others
Effective users of communication tools
Connected to the land and environment
Members of communities
International citizens

Lifelong learners

Literate and numerate
Critical and creative thinkers
Active seekers, users, and creators of knowledge
Informed decision makers.

Literate and numerate
Critical and creative thinkers
Active seekers, users, and creators of knowledge
Informed decision makers.

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OUR COMMITMENT AND THE MEANS TO THIS VISION

“a commitment to promoting academic excellence and personal best.”
“providing opportunities and helping every individual reach his or her potential. From this comes achievement for all.”
“developing students’ responsibility and encouraging them to recognise the need for respect, both for themselves and others.”
“a strong and active partnership exists between home and school.”
“excellent grounds and modern facilities.”
“a well-qualified and committed staff.”