Our people, our roles

Our Te Kura community

It takes all of us to make Te Kura work for you.

Te Kura has a big team working together to help ākonga learn in ways that suit them best. Everyone has a role in making your learning journey smooth, flexible, and supported – whether online, face-to-face, or out in the community. Our people will become your people, so you feel like you will always have someone to turn to.

Everyone works together so you and your whānau feel welcomed, supported, and ready to learn.

Our ākonga

Every learner has a different story – and that's the point.

At Te Kura, our ākonga are all different. Some live in big cities, and some live far away from schools, like out on the farm. Some of our ākonga have wellbeing or Learning Support needs, or are busy with their sports or cultural activities. Some have other things going on that makes going to their local school hard, while others just want to try a different way to learn.

You may want to do all of your learning with Te Kura, or just join us for some subjects if you are already learning elsewhere.

Because learning with us happens online most of the time, it means your learning is completely flexible. You can choose when and where to learn – at home, in the town library, at another whānau member's house, or at one of our Huinga Ako. These are fun weekly sessions to connect, ask questions, and feel a part of your class group and team.

Learning with us is based on what you're interested in, and your kaimanaaki will work closely with you to create a learning plan that is just for you.

Even though Te Kura is a distance school, you'll never be on your own. Your kaimanaaki, kaiako and our team of support people are here to help, and your whānau and friends can be part of your learning journey too. We want you to feel proud of who you are, where you come from, what you bring to Te Kura, and what you want to do in the future.

Your support team is ready to help

Our supervisors and whānau

A trusted advisor helping you stay on track, every step of the way.

Supervisors and whānau are a key part of learning for many ākonga at Te Kura. With the right support at home, ākonga can stay on track, build their confidence, and enjoy learning in a way that works best for them.

Why do full-time ākonga need to have a supervisor?

Supervisors and whānau help you learn in a safe, steady way. They support with scheduling and guiding your learning programme, check in on your progress, and are a regular presence to help you stay motivated and build your independence.

What does a supervisor actually do?

There is a lot that supervisors and whānau can do to help ākonga on their learning journey! Your supervisor can support learning every day by:

• setting up a good learning space
• minimising distractions
• checking work and learning progress together
• supporting your wellbeing

Your supervisor is not expected to be the teacher – just someone who's there to guide, encourage, and help you succeed.

Is there support for supervisors and whānau?

Your supervisor and whānau connect with your kaimanaaki and kaiako when and as needed. Your Te Kura support team can help you and your supervisor by setting up learning plans, answering any questions, and guiding your learning.

If supervisors or whānau need help with IT or accessing support resources, they can contact the Student and Whānau Support team.

Phone: 0800 65 99 88 option 2 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm)

Email: hub@tekura.school.nz

Working with supervisors and whānau

Our Senior Leadership team

Leading Te Kura kaimahi to meet our strategic goals.

The Senior Leadership team leads Te Kura. The team includes the Chief Executive, Deputy Chief Executives, Chief Advisor and Chief Officers of each wāhanga. They make day-to-day decisions about how Te Kura works and how to best support ākonga and kaimahi across the school.

Our Board of Trustees

Guiding Te Kura to do what's right by our ākonga and their whānau

The Board of Trustees is a small group with experience in the education sector that makes big decisions and long-term plans for Te Kura. Unlike regular schools in Aotearoa New Zealand where Board members are chosen by the whānau, Board members at Te Kura are appointed by the Minister of Education.

Our Board makes sure that Te Kura follows the law, upholds Te Tiriti o Waitangi and works towards agreed goals to support ākonga to achieve their aspirations. They leave all the day-to-day mahi to the Senior Leadership team to manage, but meet several times a year to review and guide Te Kura's overall progress.

Community connections

Building a strong presence in local communities.

In 2008, we set up regional tari and Huinga Ako around Aotearoa New Zealand with the aim of strengthening connections with ākonga, their whānau and their local communities. Increasing the number of kaimahi working around the country has enabled us to provide more personalised and face-to-face support. Our kaiako and support kaimahi work directly with ākonga and whānau to provide learning and wellbeing support as required.

Each tari is a base for local kaiako and support kaimahi. There are also regional managers and relationship coordinators who work with community groups, government agencies, schools and alternative education providers to support ākonga engagement and achievement.

We connect with local education providers and businesses so Years 11 to 13 full-time and young adult ākonga can attend courses through tertiary providers or experience a work environment they are interested in. This helps ākonga build knowledge, understanding and skills for their chosen career while working towards a relevant qualification.

Our ākonga and kaimahi also represent Te Kura at regional and national events such as Te Matatini, Polyfest, Maadi Regatta, NZQA Top Art exhibitions and more.