Dear Parents There are many good reasons for choosing Makoura College for your child’s education. Makoura College is a progressive College. That is Makoura College regularly reviews what it is offering in order to better meet the needs of its clients (the students), its community and the changing world.

Because of our size we are able to ensure that all students, not just the high achievers, are known and valued for who they are. We also value having close relationships with students’ families. It is our view that by working together with the families of our students, we will be in a better position to meet not only students’ learning needs but also their personal and social needs.

Like all schools Makoura’s fundamental focus is on education. To this end our professional, hard working and caring staff provide a high level of expertise in a wide range of subjects supported by effective technology and well equipped buildings and classrooms. We are proud of our student’s achievement. Our results show that we consistently out perform other New Zealand schools of our type.

In addition to our focus on learning and in line with the view that success in the 21st century will demand more than just a good academic education, Makoura places a strong emphasis on developing young people of good character. The type of character we are working hard to promote and develop is closely linked to the philosophy underpinning our Motto: “Kia Manawanui” and our Mission: Whaia Te Tika; Whaia Te Pono; Whaia Te Aroha.

One important aspect of this underpinning philosophy involves focusing on students strengths. We believe all students have unique talents and our job is to help students develop these further. Over emphasizing students’ short comings or weaknesses is not considered useful and so at Makoura we adopt what is called a strengths based approach to education. This approach views the glass as half full, not half empty.

Also underlying the focus of our Motto and Mission are two crucial processes. The first of these involves the active teaching of behaviours, values and responsibility. It is believed that through this process students will be more likely to do what is right because they have learned to value what is right as opposed to doing what is right merely to avoid a punishment.

The second process involves restorative practice. This is centred around helping students, guilty of inappropriate behaviour to fully understand the implications of the wrong or harm their actions have caused. This is not to say we do not have rules or consequences. We do, but the focus of such consequences is to ensure students restore any wrong they have caused. As a result, we believe students will be more likely to become positive, contributing and valued members of 21st century communities.

These webpages are designed to give you a feel for Makoura College. If you would like to have a closer look at what we do I encourage you to visit the College and see it for yourself. Please feel free to contact the College office to organise a personalised tour. Makoura College – we’re going places – get on board.

Tom Hullena
Principal