Musselburgh’s Values
‘Ma te huruhuru, ka rere te toroa’
(Adorn the Royal Albatross with feathers, so it may fly)
At Musselburgh School, we believe these core values – respect, resilience, a love of learning, friendliness, and understanding – are the foundation for a happy and successful childhood. We foster a respectful environment where students feel safe to be themselves and treat others with kindness.
We nurture resilience, encouraging them to learn from challenges and keep trying. Our teachers ignite a love of learning through a diverse and engaging curriculum, while friendliness and understanding are woven into the fabric of our school community. This combination empowers our students to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
Whanaukataka - We are Friendly.
At our school, we focus on building and maintaining positive relationships through shared experiences, connection, and a sense of belonging. Whanaukataka is about being friendly and kind to create a school whānau where everyone belongs. We greet others warmly, include everyone in activities, and show kindness to new students and visitors. By building connections across different groups and year levels, we support each other like a whānau. We celebrate each person's unique contributions, resolve conflicts respectfully, and create a welcoming environment where everyone feels valued and connected.
Tūrakawaewae - We are Learners.
At our school, we celebrate the right of every student to feel grounded, supported, and empowered in their learning journey. Tūrakawaewae is about having a strong sense of place and identity as a learner, knowing you belong here. It’s about feeling connected to our school and community, and having the confidence to grow and learn. With tūrakawaewae, students feel secure to take learning risks, make mistakes, and explore new ideas. We honour each student's cultural identity, creating welcoming environments where everyone is valued. We connect classroom learning with community knowledge, building pride in who we are and what we contribute as learners, both in school and beyond.
Kaitiakitaka - We are Respectful.
At our school, kaitiakitaka means being guardians who show respect and care for our tikanga, school rules, values, environment and each other. As kaitiaki, students understand their role in protecting what is important, including relationships, traditions, and the wellbeing of our school whānau. We honour tikaka and cultural practices, understand the importance of rules and values, and take responsibility for our actions. We speak and act respectfully, care for shared spaces, and stand up for others. By listening attentively and appreciating different perspectives, we ensure our words and actions positively impact our school community.
Tama Tū, Tama Ora - We are Resilient.
At our school, we believe that standing up to challenges and persevering helps us grow stronger and healthier. Tama tū represents being active, engaged, and facing challenges head-on, while Tama ora highlights the wellbeing and success that come from this proactive stance. This whakataukī encourages us to take action, promoting perseverance through difficulties. By actively facing challenges, we achieve positive outcomes and personal growth, avoiding the stagnation that comes with inaction. We embrace resilience as a key to thriving in our learning journey.
Ōritetaka - We are Understanding.
At our school, we believe that true understanding paves the way for positive action. We aspire to equitable outcomes for all tamariki and recognise that achieving this may require different approaches. We understand that fairness sometimes means treating people according to their unique needs and circumstances. By fostering empathy and ensuring all cultures are heard and respected, we create an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued. We celebrate our diverse backgrounds and encourage active participation from all staff and students, ensuring every voice is heard in our decision-making processes.