Pera Te Aho (Tūhoe, Ngāti Porou) pictured with the Tu Kaha Foundation mobile classroom. Photo: Adrian Heke
A custom-built state of the art mobile classroom is visiting Holy Family School in Porirua today. It delivers an education programme for rangatahi on great decision-making and growing resilient leaders.
Nicknamed ‘Superliner’ the mobile classroom has Tu Kaha Foundation teachers working with rangatahi years 5-9 at decile one schools.
The programme is four lessons over two days, supported by kaupapa Māori health models, Te Wheke and Te Whare Tapa Whā. The programme is also tailored to the values of each respective school or kura visited.
Pera Te Aho (Tūhoe, Ngāti Porou) owner and director of Complete Siteworks Limited developed the mobile classroom and the programme. He wanted to show rangatahi other possibilities for them.
“I grew up in Taneatua, Bay of Plenty with ten brothers and three sisters. There wasn’t much there for kids. I consider myself lucky, I worked hard and now I’m able to give back,” says Pera.
The mobile classroom and the programme aims to inspire rangatahi to make good decisions, work hard and achieve their goals.
The ‘Superliner’ is highly interactive with large whiteboards, magnetic learning cards, a big screen and covered in positive aspirational messages.
Pera envisages the mobile classroom visiting two schools each week during the 40-week school year, engaging with more than 2,400 rangatahi a year.
Te Puni Kōkiri supports this initiative through the Rangatahi Suicide Prevention fund and Mātika – Moving the Māori Nation fund. The New Zealand Warriors also support this initiative in-kind.
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Media contact
Aroha Tanirau
Te Puni Kōkiri, Communications Advisor
tania@tpk.govt.nz or 027 246 9562
Notes
The ‘Superliner’ will be at Holy Family School, 169 Mungavin Avenue, Porirua East, on Thursday 28 June from 9am to 3pm. Permission to enter the School will be required.