What is the inquiry learning journey?

The Inquiry Learning Journey is the story of your two years in Inquiry. It will record your goals, reflections and achievements at every stage of your journey.

The arrival of your waka

Tamatea Arikinui is the ancestor and captain of the sacred waka, Tākitimu that was one of the first groups of Maori to settle in Tauranga. When they first arrived, Tamatea Arikinui and his people made their way around the base of Mauao and ascended the maunga. Upon reaching the summit, Tamatea Arikinui recited the following karakia whilst implanting the mauri Aukoromoerangi, the spirit or life force of occupation for his people, on the maunga. Upon completing this ritual, he proceeded to point his staff towards the south to a maunga naming it Puwhenua in remembrance of the rakau gifted by Hei, to carve his waka Tākitimu back in the homelands of Hawaiiki.

Like Tamatea, you are also on a journey and have arrived at Tauranga Boys College where for the next 2 years you will also place your mauri (life essence or spirit) into the ground to grow and develop. You too have overcome the challenges of the sea that lies behind you but now you are establishing yourself on new ground, and must climb your own Mauao and find your own outlook and opportunities whilst also honouring the past and where you come from.

The Harakeke

The mauri that Tamatea planted on Mauao was a harakeke (flax) from his homeland and is symbolic of one’s own identity, self-reflection, growth and development. We will use this symbol of the harakeke to help us understand the four key aspects of what helps a person realise their potential.

The Kōrari reaches high and sets the values that we aspire to.

Values

"Ina aro atu ana te oranga ki ngā mea pai, ka rere te wairua, ka taea ngā mea katoa"

"When our lives and heart are attuned to good things, life is clear, the spirit flows freely. Everything is possible."

This quote refers to the fundamental values that drive our decision-making and behaviour.

Learning Skills

The biggest and strongest leaves of the harakeke are the skills we develop so we learn more effectively as we go through life.

A critical thinker

Asks questions
Is confident to explore and experiment
Designs and implements solutions to complex problems
Reflects, considers and equates

A lifelong learner

Is an active learner
Persists through difficulties
Sees risks as opportunities to fail forward
Sets a plan and follows it through
Manages time and is organised

An inspired innovator

Explores multiple possibilities
Challenges the status quo
Seeks to continually improve oneself
Applies a deliberate thinking process to solve problems
Acts on creative ideas

An effective communicator

Proficient in English and uses and pronounces Te Reo compentently
Speaks clearly and confidently in front of a group of people
Listens actively
Resolves conflict constructively
Engages with print and digital media
Researches and summarises ideas

Hauora

Hauora is a combination of key life skills that helps a person balance themselves to be a complete person. Like the new shoots of a harakeke these life skills will keep changing and evolving throughout your life. These skills go beyond the classroom, so pick ones that you can work on outside of school.

Wairua (Spiritual well-being)

Personal belief
Goal setting
True to oneself
Composed
Sense of belonging
Optimistic

Tinana (Physical well-being)

Nutritionally aware
Proactive
Active
Self confident
Self aware

Hinengaro (Mental and Emotional well being)

Mindful
Self management
Confident
Problem solver
Emotionally aware
Reflective

Whānau (Family and Social well-being)

Inclusive
Connects
Compassionate
Open to seek help

Kaitiaki o te whenua

The kaitiaki o te whenua is the root of the harakeke and is that which grounds us and reminds us of the importance of protecting and respecting the space we are in, its history and its connection to the land and its people. Kaitiaki o te whenua means "Guardian of the Land" but for us, it means being a guardian of inquiry and the classroom.

Ways you can be a good kaitiaki of the classroom:

Complete an inquiry which shows respects for the past and/or investigates the future
Show respect for the school, its teachers and the environment
Include your family in your inquiry by sharing work with them or presenting your inquiry to them
Complete an inquiry that shows appreciation for culture, history or identity in NZ
Honour the legacy of the Inquiry programme by helping on Open Night, being a Big Brother or producing work that supports or promotes the Inquiry Programme.
Complete an inquiry that understands the value of expertise and knowledge that local hapu and maraes provide.

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