Tō mātou kura
Our School
Nurturing the wairua and potential of every person through our sense of belonging and community.
Jayden
inspecting and feeling his wood carving work.
Our private Steiner School offers a unique and flexible personalised educational journey for children and young adults aged 7 – 21 years who have intellectual learning support needs.
Our school is situated on a beautiful biodynamic farm in the Poraiti hills, just outside Napier, and has a roll cap of 44 students.
The close proximity of the twin cities of Napier and Hastings allows the children to take full advantage of libraries, theatres, shops, and other public amenities, and to enjoy a variety of experiences within the wider community. Beaches, rivers, hills, walking tracks, and scenic picnic sites are all within easy reach of Hōhepa Hawke’s Bay.
Our School Special Character
- We adapt elements of the Waldorf Curriculum as this places emphasis on the whole child and the importance of physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing. Soul development (emotional relationships) and wairua development that strengthens the will for self-determination
- Steiner’s educational pedagogy is an approach to empower and meet the individual needs of each child to support them in their journey of self-discovery and success
- We implement our curriculum recognizing our unique cultural connection to Aotearoa, Hawkes Bay and apply the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in all we do
- Our curriculum is designed to provide a wide range of learning experiences
- We work closely with whanau to ensure they are at the centre of decision making about the direction of the learning outcomes for their child
- We regularly document and share success that has purpose and relevance for the child and whanau
- Our assessment and reporting has a focus on each chilld’s holistic human development and hauora as they make their transition through childhood into adulthood
- A therapeutic approach is led by the teacher and a range of specialist therapists
- Effective collaboration with the school and Hōhepa home team, together with whanau maximises a consistent approach in the development of each child.
- The farm site, founded on bio-dynamic farming principles, also provides lifestyle and learning experiences for children, as well as work opportunities for adults
With wonderful views over Hawke’s Bay, this location provides excellent learning and recreational opportunities for the children. The school has three playground areas, a sports field, and shares an outdoor swimming pool with the rest of the Hōhepa Hawke’s Bay Poraiti community.
Our Vision for supporting tamariki and rangatahi is:
To nurture the wairua and potential of every person through our sense of belonging and community
Our Values are:
Manaakitanga
We treat people with kindness, empathy and have courage for the truth
Whakamana
We engage in reciprocal learning relationships that are dignified and empowering
Whanaungatanga
We collaborate with our learners, whanau, colleagues and community to acknowledge everyone’s ideas, strengths and identities
2024 Hōhepa School Term Dates
Term 1: Wednesday 7th February – Friday 12th April
School closed: Waitangi Day (06 Feb), Good Friday (29 Mar), Easter Monday (01 Apr), Anzac Day (25 Apr)
Term 2: Monday 29th April – Friday 5th July
School closed: King’s Birthday (03 Jun), Matariki (28 Jun), Staff-only PD Day (04 Jun)
Term 3: Monday 22nd July – Friday 27th September
School closed: Staff-only PD Day (02 Sep)
Term 4: Monday 14th October – Friday 20th December
School closed: Hawke’s Bay Anniversary (25 Oct), Labour Day (28 Oct), Staff-only PD Day (29 Oct)
“Each child is empowered to find their purpose in life and to develop independence. Success is recognised and celebrated through identifying what is ‘mana enhancing’ for each individual”.
Stephen Evans - School Principal, Hōhepa Hawke's Bay
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