Community and Cultural Service Appreciated

By OBHS | Posted: Wednesday November 20, 2019

This week Mr Hall received the following letter from the principal of Opoho School.

I am writing to acknowledge one of your students and the wonderful work he does as a kapahaka tutor at our school. Eli Ellison works with our kapahaka mentor to inspire our students in their learning through kapahaka and Te Ao Māori.

As well as motivating many of the students, Eli has also been instrumental in inspiring one of our students who has struggled with the values espoused by our school – that of being kind, responsible and being the best you can be. Eli has worked to build a caring and trusting relationship with this [troubled] young boy, and his teachers have noticed a huge difference in his attitude. The boy has progressively changed from being difficult and reactive, to being much more respectful, calm and open to learning. His face lights up and he seeks out Eli in a most respectful way and listens carefully to the ako that Eli shares in his tuakana-teina role. The impact of this relationship is also noticeable in other aspects of our student’s school life.

If it should be that you have cultural or service acknowledgements, then I hope this letter may contribute to Eli’s service record as he has shown such a positive attitude to helping others and his enthusiasm and knowledge is appreciated.

Yours sincerely

Jenny Clarke (Principal)