About Our School - Puketapu School

Empower All People to be Healthy, Lifelong Learners

Mā te poipoi, mā te ako, ka ora te iwi

Through nurturing and learning, we succeed together.

We do this by achieving three main aims:

Oho te Ako
Aim: Deliver a rich, relevant curriculum that excites, engages, and empowers every ākonga to love learning and want to be here.

Oho te Ora
Aim: Create a learning environment where every person feels safe, proud, seen, and deeply connected

Oho te Hāpori
Aim: Foster a thriving community through connection, growth, leadership, and acts of service — where everyone contributes and everyone matters.

Our Values

Manaakitanga
Kia akiaki te mana o te tangata
Uplift and uphold the dignity and prestige of people.
I lift everyone’s mana.

Kaitiakitanga
Kia tiaki koe i te mauri
To care and nurture.
I am a guardian for our taiao, people, and spaces.

Māia
Kia tū māia, kia tū aumangea
Stand with courage and perseverance.
I keep trying, even when things are hard.

Whanaungatanga
Kei te mahi tahi mātou te whānau
We work together as a whānau.
I help build a strong community.

Our School

Puketapu School is one of two full primary schools in Bell Block — our students start from age 5 and stay with us right up to age 12-13 (Year 8).

Diverse Learners

The tamariki of Puketapu are from diverse backgrounds and all bring their own special character.

They are trusting and loyal and we are proud of the relationships we have developed, based on mutual respect. Tamariki are encouraged to be who they are and celebrate their uniqueness.

Great Grounds

We have an amazing location, great, spacious grounds, close to the sea and the walkways, allowing us to celebrate and appreciate what is special about the place we live.

Opened in 1980, we are a young school, but we are very proud of our place in our community. Our growing roll means we opened four beautiful new classrooms in 2022.

Our Logo

Our logo tells a story about our school – the shape at the top is our view of our mounga, the majestic Taranaki. The circle represents people, large and small, young and old, working together.

Community is very important to us. We place a high priority on building strong partnerships between the child, the home, and the school. This is clearly demonstrated by the involvement of our families and our community in school life and in the way we interact with other groups within the community, sports, church and marae.