“Kia pai taea t\u0101tou” echoes through these halls. That’s the Yendarra School vision. It means “Be the BEST we can”. It is a motto embraced by everyone here.
Yendarra School is more than just a school. It is a community. It’s located in Otara, South Auckland. This school provides education for students in Years 1 to 6. Most students have Pacific heritage.
The school’s history is deeply rooted in the land. The school was named after the Yendarra homestead. An English architect designed it. It was built in 1900 for Mr. James Goodfellow. “Yendarra” is an Australian Aboriginal word. It means grape orchard or vineyard. Imagine this area covered in grape vines.
Mr. Goodfellow sold the property in 1920. The Dilworth Trust Board bought it. The property was 200 acres then. It had large stables and the homestead. The grounds were impressive. They featured beautiful gardens and trees.
In 1932, Mr. C.J. Lovegrove purchased the property. He bred Jersey cows. He also planted an extensive orchard and a kauri tree. Later, Mr. Noel Simpson owned it. He sold it to the Crown. It became part of the Otara development. Yendarra School was officially opened on Saturday 16th November 1968.
Today, Yendarra School serves a diverse student body. It includes Maori and Pacific students. Samoan students make up the largest group. Tongan, Maori, and Cook Island Maori students are also well represented. The school values whanaungatanga. It means kinship of belonging. Aroha means love and respect. Manaakitanga means caring for all. Piripono means respecting the mana of tamariki and whanau. Koha means gifting of strengths and talents.
Yendarra School strives for excellent outcomes. This applies to Maori, Pacific, and all students. The school focuses on lifting achievement. Literacy and numeracy are key. Increasing student attendance is also important. The school delivers a holistic curriculum. It enhances student identity, language, culture, and wellbeing.
Leaders and teachers at Yendarra School demonstrate urgency. They want to improve achievement. They want to maximize student engagement. Recent data shows progress. Almost 80 percent of students achieve at curriculum level. Some students make accelerated progress.
The school actively encourages parent involvement. Parents ensure children arrive well-prepared. They have nutritious breakfasts and healthy lunches. Water is the only drink allowed at school.
Yendarra School sets high expectations. They expect students to succeed. The school enthusiastically celebrates achievements. They foster a sense of pride. Students take pride in who they are. They are proud of what they can achieve. The school focuses on meeting learning needs. They work at each child’s success level.
The school welcomes everyone. It provides a safe, supportive environment. Yendarra School is more than a place of learning. It is a place where students thrive. They are encouraged to be the best they can be.