Junior Project Group Shines with Goal-Setting and Tuakana-Teina

This term, a selection of our Year 9 and 10 students are the first to take part in our newly developed project group that’s all about setting goals, taking action, and supporting each other through the power of tuakana-teina.

The project group encourages students to think about a goal they would like to achieve and what strategies they might use to achieve that goal. With guidance, each student set a SMART goal (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) and made a step-by-step plan to reach it.

But the magic really happened when tuakana-teina came into play. Older students (tuakana) were paired with younger ones (teina), and together they worked through their goals – checking in regularly, offering encouragement, and celebrating progress. This mentorship model and reciprocal learning created a strong sense of whanaungatanga (connectedness) across the project space.

It’s clear that this junior project group is not only building valuable skills for the future, but also teaching goal setting skills and the value of hard mahi among our students.

Ka mau te wehi, tamariki mā! Keep aiming high and lifting each other up.