Local Principal takes out top award

Te Kura Māori o Ngā Tapuwae principal Arihia Stirling, QSM, has paid tribute to her school’s students and their families after receiving one of the top teaching awards in Australasia.

Arihia, who has won the Founders’ Principal for Leadership Award at the National Excellence in Teaching Awards out of 804 nominees from across New Zealand and Australia, says she feels very “grateful”.

“I’ve been a principal for nearly 30 years. Never had a sabbatical in all of my teaching career, which is 40 years.

"So, you know, it’s a recognition of the work that you do, particularly in this community, and also with three generations of children that have gone through this school.”

In 2023, Te Kura Māori o Ngā Tapuwae had the highest NCEA achievement rate of all secondary schools in Aotearoa New Zealand.

“We’re really proud of this achievement,” Arihia says. “Every single one of our Year 13 students passed with flying colours. That same cohort were physically out of school for 17 months during the Covid-19 lockdown. If these students can achieve under the most challenging circumstances, there’s really no reason any student can’t.”

She attributes these outstanding results to a strong focus on wellbeing and catering to students’ unique needs, which includes designing their curriculum around Maramataka, the Māori lunar calendar.

This means assessments are timed when students will be at their highest energy levels according to the calendar, and they take part in calmer learning experiences during low energy periods.

“We teach and we learn under the energy levels of the moon. We even feed the students that way.

"So if it's a high energy phase, then there's lots of carbs during that day. If it's a low energy phase, it's more stuff that will just keep them tō, or peaceful.”

The awards, which in 2024 also celebrated its 30th anniversary, acknowledge exceptional educators in early learning services, primary and secondary schools across Australia and New Zealand, and is the longest running community-based awards programme in the region.

Nominated by a colleague, Arihia’s leadership award comes with a $10,000 professional development grant from NEiTA Foundation.

Chair of the NEiTA Foundation Catherine O’Sullivan told the Education Gazette Arihia exemplifies the power of exceptional teaching and leadership.

“She is a remarkable principal, influencing the trajectory of future generations and leaving an enduring legacy on the lives of countless students.”

For those inspired to follow in her footsteps, Arihia’s message is simple.

“Just remind yourselves here in Māngere, we're good enough already. We were born good. We were born enough.

"And not think about the things that trouble us, but think about the dreams that can make things better for us.”