Our Philosophy
Aro Arataki is a place of love and kindness, that focuses on greatness and dreams big. We value and embrace our
children and teachers for who they are, and encourage, support, provoke and challenge them to fly.
Aro Arataki is a safe, engaging place where play is the main medium for teaching and learning, and where a focus is placed on
building rich, strong connections with children, whānau, teachers and community.
We are a centre that honours, understands and demonstrates Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles of participation, power and partnership for Māori as tangata whenua, and non-Māori as signatories to the Treaty, in everything we do. At Aro Arataki we recognise and value children’s, parents’, whānau, and teachers’ individual strengths and needs. We are about people - he tangata,
he tangata, he tangata.
Our children are competent, capable, curious, and confident learners who enjoy learning and making choices in an
inclusive and supportive environment.
Our teachers are reflective and critical practitioners who view themselves as learners alongside children. Our teachers are cooperative, cohesive, and reflective role models with great teaching practice. They hold strong and deep understandings of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and of Te Whāriki which guides their teaching and learning. Our teachers are innovative, motivated, and passionate about children’s learning.
They embrace diversity, advocating for all children, and provide inclusive learning environments which are appropriate and accessible for children with diverse needs. Our teachers take responsibility for their own self-improvement, engaging in professional development, applying new learning to their practice, and sharing new learning with others.
Parents and whānau are an integral part of Aro Arataki, who we consider part of our community of practice. We value and respect whānau partnership and proactively seek to engage in communication, collaboration and shared experiences, sharing information reciprocally to ensure great learning outcomes for all children. We work collaboratively to understand, support and foster the aspirations that our whānau hold for their children.
Our teaching and learning is based on love, kindness, respect, and joy. Through these foundations we develop and
maintain positive relationships with children, whānau, teachers and the community. Through those relationships, deep connections and rich understandings are developed which lead to thoughtful, meaningful, provoking, engaging and enriching teaching and learning for all.
Our teachers thoughtfully and intentionally provide time, space, and
learning experiences to support children to become reflective and critical learners. We support children to develop a deep sense of belonging in our place which enables them to be their true selves, to build agency, to be risk takers and to form positive lifelong identities.
We support children to develop positive social and emotional skills and attitudes to build and maintain positive and strong relationships. Our teachers work flexibly, constructively, and collaboratively together to support and empower children, parents, whānau and other teachers, fostering positive learning outcomes for all.
