Southland
Fernworth Primary School is celebrating the new decade with a new vision and a new Māori name. After an official launch on Thursday evening (February 20th).
Principal Alison Cook said the school will move into 2020 with the values of whakapono – having self-belief and confidence, and manaakitanga – being respectful and caring for each other.
“We are excited to have a Māori name, kindly gifted to us by the Waihopai Rūnanga: Te Kura o Whare Pā,” she said.
Students, staff, whanau and their local marae, Murihiku, collaborated on the school’s vision for the future during 2019, she said.
A new school logo is also unveiled, incorporating a fern, which honours the past, and a whale’s tail, linking to Murihiku. The new Māori name is named after the original area where the school is based, Whare Pā.
The community of South Invercargill were invited to the logo and name launch, along with pupils, their whanau and other valued guests.
Alison said the school has so much to look forward to, while acknowledging the important work done in the past.
“We are lucky to have such great involvement from our whanau and community and such cool kids,” she said.