Kia ora, talofa lava, mālō e lelei, fakaalofa lahi atu, and warm Pacific greetings,
It is a privilege to welcome you to our place and space where our learners are at the fatu (heart) of everything we do. As the Principal of the Middle School, I am proud to lead and serve a community that is deeply rooted in the values of Respect, Whanaungatanga, and Excellence — values that guide our daily interactions, shape our learning environment, and reflect the aspirations we hold for every student.
At the core of our purpose is our Collegiate Vision:
“Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate students are NURTURED by a culture of respect, INSPIRED by teaching, EMPOWERED by learning to be global lifelong achievers.”
This vision is more than a statement — it is a call to action.
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NURTURED meaning our students are supported holistically — academically, socially, emotionally, and culturally — within a safe and respectful environment that acknowledges and celebrates who they are.
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INSPIRED speaks to the power of high-quality, engaging teaching that motivates our learners to dream big, think deeply, and strive for excellence.
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EMPOWERED identifies that every student develops the skills, confidence, and agency to take ownership of their learning journey and make meaningful contributions to their communities and the wider world.
“O le tele o sulu e maua ai figota” – this Samoan proverb/fishing analogy refers to the more light there is – the greater the catch, meaning it takes a collective – it takes a village.
Achieving this vision cannot be done alone. We believe in the power of collective responsibility — working in true partnership with whānau, staff, students, iwi and hapū, community leaders, and wider education stakeholders. When we collaborate with shared purpose, we move closer to our ultimate goal: equity — where every learner has what they need to thrive and succeed.
To realise this, we are committed to:
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Building and sustaining strong pedagogy that reflects the needs of our learners and is grounded in evidence-based, culturally responsive research and practice.
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Engaging in relevant and current professional learning and development (PLD) to ensure our educators remain at the forefront of educational thinking and innovation.
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Growing both cultural and leadership capability at all levels — recognising that leadership is not confined to a position, but is an expression of voice, vision, and most importantly action.
We know the journey ahead is one of constant growth, learning, and reflection. But with unity, purpose, and ALOFA (love), we believe the future for our students is full of promise.
Journey with us so together, we will nurture, inspire, and empower the next generation of global lifelong achievers.
Ngā mihi mahana,
Estear Peautau
Tumuaki/Pule/Principal
Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate Middle School
