My name is Peter Barker, and I am proud to work in the role of Principal of our wonderful school. We are a family/whānau-oriented kura located in Selwyn Heights. As a dual-medium school, we offer learning in both English (Years 0–6) and rumaki Māori (Years 0–8), all guided by our vision: Together we are Responsible, Respectful, and Right Into Learning. This vision drives our high expectations for both learning and well-being.
Our staff are our greatest resource and are an outstanding group of professionals - capable, confident and committed to doing the very best for each and every one of our tamariki. All of our teachers are fully trained and qualified, and we do not employ LAT (Limited Authority To Teach) 'teachers'. Our students deserve the very best teachers!!
At Selwyn School, relationships and hauora/well-being sit at tghe centre of our work. We value our partnerships with students, whānau, community, and iwi. As noted by the Education Review Office (2023), our vision—Kia kotahi tātou: Takohanga, Whakanuia, kia ū ki te Ako—empowers high aspirations for learning and hauora for all ākonga.
Whānau place great trust in our staff and school as a whole. Students and their families are our clients, and our relationships are open, honest, supportive, and nurturing. A strong culture of whānaungatanga—care, connection, and belonging—defines our kura.
We maintain high expectations for learning, and we love celebrating our students’ successes. Our approach blends the best of traditional and contemporary practice. In simple terms, we focus on:
- equipping our students with the skills, knowledge, and understandings they need for the future
- strengthening foundation skills such as reading/pānui, writing/tuhituhi, maths/pāngarau, and also kōrero in our Māori Medium/Rumaki pathway
- using digital technologies (Chromebooks, iPads, AI) alongside traditional tools like books, pens, and paper to enrich learning
Our Māori Medium/Rumaki students learn within a strong tuakana–teina culture in a Level 1 immersion environment. This setting supports students to learn, strengthen, and confidently use Te Reo Māori. While 81–100% of teacher instruction is in te reo, some English is used to ensure all students feel supported and no one is left behind.
The Arts, sport, and kapa haka are important aspects of our school culture. Students participate in a wide range of opportunities, including cultural and interschool sporting events. Haka and waiata are part of everyday life across the kura.
Our school site has undergone extensive upgrades, including a full repaint, modernised classrooms, and heat pumps in every room. Our grounds are clean, spacious, and inviting—offering places to learn, play, ride bikes on our 405m track, climb trees, play bullrush, and to enjoy riding scooters.
The best way to gain a better understanding of Selwyn School is to visit us in person or explore our Facebook page - there is a link on our website’s front page.
Nau mai, haere mai ki tō tātou kura. We look forward to meeting you.
Peter Barker
MEd (UTas)
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