New principal brings fresh energy to Hato Pāora College

Kahurangi Falaoa, an old boy of the Catholic Māori boys’ boarding school near Feilding, said he wanted to build on the kura’s strong foundation and was trying to improve standards and behaviour across the school, which he hoped would improve academic achievement. This included things such as being on time and keeping the dormitory clean.

“The most important thing is to make sure that they’re good people, really good young men, young tāne,” said Mr Falaoa, who started as tumuaki/principal this term.

With an intention to get students out of their comfort zones, because that is how development happens, there were fitness sessions every morning and learning about words such as intent or resilience. Fitness levels have improved and there is “a lot of laughing and singing around the school” now.

Mr Falaoa wants there to be something for everyone at the college, including establishing a pathway for boys who weren’t destined for a university. Regular activities have been planned for the boys to keep them active and interacting with each other so they weren’t on their phones.

Mr Falaoa (Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Pūkeko) worked in Gisborne for the past 20 years, having spent 18 years at Gisborne Boys’ High School and two years at Manutuke School. He praised Hato Pāora acting principal Wiremu Paniora for holding things together last year at the school.

Mr Falaoa added that he wanted to get sports thriving at Hato Pāora. He was the te pou tikanga or cultural adviser for the under 18 Māori secondary schools team, the New Zealand under-20s and the New Zealand under-85kg team.

He also has qualifications in Māori art – designing the Māori All Blacks jersey – and knows how to carve. He started his career as a woodwork teacher at Hato Pāora.

FULL STORY

New principal comes home to Hato Pāora College (By George Heagney/Manawatū Standard – subscription required)