Te Ahi Kaikōmako Rolleston School

Description

NameTe Ahi Kaikōmako Rolleston School Last edited by: Sarah Davy

Alternative NameRolleston School Last edited by: Sarah Davy

DescriptionTe Ahi Kaikōmako Rolleston School is one of the oldest schools in Selwyn, opening in 1893. Situated on Tennyson Street, Rolleston, the school has since been developed into a thriving primary school with a strong kaupapa. The school values are to 'be respectful, be kind, be responsible, be resilient, and be connected'.

According to the school website,'the name Te Ahi Kaikōmako was gifted by Te Taumutu Rūnanga and has its origins in the narrative of Māui and Mahuika. In the narrative, Mahuika placed a small amount of fire in all of the trees in the bush, except for the kaikōmako tree, which received the most amount of fire. An essential element for survival, fire was most easily retrieved from the kaikōmako, making it an incredibly valuable resource for early Māori.

The kaikōmako is also known as the ‘ducks foot’ or the ‘bellbird tree’, and the female tree is a food source for the korimako. The name Te Ahi Kaikōmako utilises the metaphor of the school being the source of fire for its students learning; providing them with the tools they need to learn and grow, the students feeding from the kaikōmako, like the korimako.' Last edited by: Sarah Davy

Date1893