About
Te Kura o Whakaahu
Whakaahu is the name given to Western Heights Primary School by the people of Te Arawa.
Ko te ingoa nei, he ingoa tenei e pa ana ki tetahi whetu marama e kapokapo main ana i te rangi. A koienei te whetu i whaia ai e te waka o Te Arawa i te rerenga mai ki Aotearoa nei.
Whakaahu is the Maori name for the Star of Castor, the second brightest star in the constellation of Gemini. Maori ancestors traveled across the ocean guided by the stars above,
with Whakaahu guiding the way for the Te Arawa waka on its journey across the Pacific Ocean to Aotearoa during the great migration.
Whakatau te ihu o te waka ki a Whakaahu.
Always hold the bow of your waka to the star
Whakaahu Nga whetu arahi e arahi ana
Guiding stars leading the way!
Our Vision & Mission
Vision
E tu hei Maunga (Stand tall like the mountain.)
Mission
To produce life long learners, leaders and citizens our country will be proud of.
From the Principal
Our Commitment to Excellence
Western Heights Primary School is recognised as one of our city’s premier schools. Te Kura o Whakaahu’s team works extremely hard to produce education of the highest quality. No stone is left unturned, and I am proud of the learning environment we have created.
Excellence does not happen by chance; it takes hard work, total commitment, courageous leadership, and a collective willingness to strive for excellence. We have this, and I am so proud to lead this team.
My Journey
This is my 23rd year at this amazing kura, and I have loved every one of them. I plan to love a few more yet.
The staff at Western Heights Primary School inspire me every day. I am surrounded by outstanding practitioners and amazing human beings who commit so much of their lives to supporting our beautiful tamariki.
Challenges and Support
Over the past 4-5 years, society has changed. For many families, life has been a struggle—with cost of living pressures, a housing crisis, employment problems, and many other social issues. As a school, we understand and see this daily in the eyes of the tamariki.
The pastoral care we provide fills my heart with aroha and joy. Every student, regardless of circumstances, deserves the very best education—not just academics, but social and emotional care. Our tamariki love school, they have a strong sense of belonging, and they know they are loved. How lucky are we to be in a profession like this?
Leader in Me
We are the only ‘Leader in Me’ accredited school in New Zealand, part of a global network of over 3,500 schools. Our school values are based on Covey’s 8 habits, which help us become more effective people, stronger leaders, and respectful and caring members of society.
Our Core Values
The four beating hearts of our kura—Rangatiratanga, Kotahitanga, Manaakitanga, and Whanaungatanga—are the foundation of all our systems and structures.
Nga pumanawa wha o te Kura o Whakaahu.
Raising Student Achievement
Raising student achievement is our primary task. As teachers, we must be at the top of our game—keeping up to date with new developments in education, planning, preparing, and delivering the highest quality learning experiences every day.
Teaching is not like any other job; our contribution to the lives of tamariki has a lifelong impact. As one student said to me a few years ago, “Thank you for everything you have done for me, I will be eternally grateful.” I remember that child’s name, and I will always cherish that moment.
The Challenge and the Reward
As teachers in today’s world, we face challenges every day. However, with true passion, hard work, and dedication, we are rewarded. There is no other job in the world like ours—we have the opportunity to help shape and mould the lives of our most prized possessions, our tamariki.
Embrace the challenge because it is magical—challenging but magical. Celebrating the successes of our students is the ultimate reward.
Learning from the All Blacks
I use the All Blacks as my inspiration. In 2011, they won the World Cup, but they knew that their performance would not be enough to win it again in 2015. They needed to move to the next level, which they did, conquering the world again four years later.
In 2023, they fell at the last hurdle, losing to South Africa in the final. However, we know they left no stone unturned in their pursuit of victory. That loss will have only strengthened their resolve. When they enter the 2027 World Cup, they will be the best-prepared team there.
What can we learn from this as teachers? Everything. Being a teacher is a privilege, just like being an All Black. But whose job ultimately holds the greatest value? It is not the All Blacks!
We are the teaching equivalent of the All Blacks. Our best performance will always be our next one.
Ehara taku toa i te toa taki tahi, engari he toa takatini.
My strength is not the strength of one, it is the strength of many.
– Brent Griffin, 2025
Reports & Strategic Planning Documents
The use of Seesaw
We are proud to have been using Seesaw for several years, providing a powerful digital platform that gives real-time insights into your child’s learning journey. With Seesaw, you no longer have to wait for mid-year or full-year school reports to know how your child is progressing. You can check in daily to see evidence of your child’s achievements, their academic learning goals, and their progress.
Seesaw also includes the School Progress Profile, which tracks your child’s development from their first day of school until they graduate. Throughout the school day, students and teachers post updates, showcasing the work being completed or worked on in class. Parents have the opportunity to engage with these posts, offering feedback or encouragement, and can interact with both teachers and students through comments.
Seesaw offers a dynamic, interactive way to stay connected with your child’s educational experience, ensuring you are always in the loop with their progress and growth.
To download Seesaw to your device please click the button below. For more information and to connect to seesaw please see your child’s classroom teacher.