Kia ora, Kia orana, Talofa lava, Malo e lelei, Fakaalofa lahi atu, Namaste

House System

Sir Edmund Hillary Middle School has four houses consisting of students from Year 7 and 8.

Each House is a Māori God and also represents a corresponding colour:

Tūmatauenga = Red

In Māori mythology or Tūmatauenga (Māori: ‘Tū of the angry face’) is the god of war, hunting, food cultivation, fishing and cooking. All war-parties were dedicated to him, and he was treated with the greatest respect and awe.

Tāwhirimātea = Yellow

In Māori mythologyTāwhirimātea (or Tāwhiri) is the god of weather, including thunder and lightningwindclouds and storms. He is a son of Papatūānuku (earth mother) and Ranginui (sky father).

Tangaroa = Blue

In Māori mythologyTangaroa (also Takaroa) is one of the great gods, the god of the sea. He is a son of Ranginui and PapatuanukuSky and Earth.

Tāne Mahuta = Green

In Māori mythologyTāne (also called Tāne MahutaTāne nui a Rangi, and several other names) is the god of forests and of birds, and the son of Ranginui and Papatuanuku, the sky father and the earth mother, who lie in a tight embrace.

The progression students make by working together helps to build the culture of the school and students work for not only themselves but also one another which builds the character of each student.

Students compete throughout the year for House points with the winning House Leader receiving the House Shield at End of Year Prizegiving.

Students gain points from:

  • sporting events such as swimming sports and athletics sports.
  • cultural events such as the Haka Competition.
  • Individual students can also earn merit points for their House through service.