OPS We C.A.R.E

At OPS We CARE

Onehunga Primary School's We CARE philosophy is a long-standing, framework that guides all aspects of school life, from learning and collaboration to play, sport and interpersonal relationships.

It's an acronym where each letter represents a core value:

C - Collaboration: Working together constructively.
A - Act safely and responsibly: Making positive choices and showing good judgment.
R - Respect people, places, and things: Valuing others and the school environment.
E - Empathy - walking in someone else's shoes: Understanding and sharing the feelings of others.

Key Influences and Significance

The We CARE philosophy has been shaped over time through community consultation and alignment with the New Zealand Curriculum. A major influence is the school's Positive Behaviour for Learning (PB4L) approach, which emphasises the proactive teaching of positive behaviours (just like we 'teach' reading or maths) rather than just reacting to negative ones.

More than just a set of rules, We CARE accurately sums up Onehunga Primary School's community—a supportive "village" that cares deeply and is committed to it's children.

Ways To Reinforce We CARE at home

Here are practical ways families can reinforce the complete We C.A.R.E. framework (Collaboration, Act safely & responsibly, Respect, Empathy) through daily home routines:

1. Practice "Proactive Praise" at Home

At school, teachers explicitly acknowledge when ākonga (learners) display values in action. Whānau can mirror this language at home by calling out the specific letter when a child demonstrates it:

"I love how you worked together with your sister to tidy the Lego—that's awesome Collaboration!"
"Thank you for wiping down the bench without being asked—that shows great Respect for our home."

2. Daily Dinner/Bedtime Reflection: "C.A.R.E. Check"

Instead of asking "How was school today?", try asking targeted reflection questions during dinner or bedtime check-ins:

C: "Who did you collaborate or team up with today?"
A: "When was a moment today where you had to act safely or responsibly?"
R: "How did someone show respect to you today—or how did you show it to a teacher or friend?"
E: "Did you notice anyone who looked left out or down today? What could walking in their shoes look like?"

3. Modelling "Repair & Do-Over" Moments

Empathy and responsible choices mean admitting when our "shoes" got the better of us. Whānau can model this openly:

"I was feeling stressed after work earlier and used a loud voice. If I put myself in your shoes, that probably felt scary or unfair. Next time, I’m going to take a deep breath first."

4. Reading & Watching with "C.A.R.E. Lenses"

When reading bedtime stories or watching a whānau show, look for moments where characters demonstrate (or fail to demonstrate) the values:

"Did that character act responsibly when they made that decision?"
"How could those two characters have used collaboration to solve that problem faster?"

Whānau Connection: When kids hear the same We C.A.R.E. language at home that they hear in the classroom, it reinforces that these aren't just "school Values"—they are life skills that help our whole community thrive.

We CARE and EPIC

We CARE and EPIC are interconnected and evident in all aspects of our school.

We CARE are the values that underpin the culture of our school and are crucial in creating a safe, inclusive and supportive environment for everyone.

EPIC represents the type of environment the school strives to create. It's about providing a safe and stimulating spaces where ākonga (students) are encouraged to step outside their comfort zones and develop resilience, curiosity and critical thinking.

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