Our History
Mayfair School opened in 1950 to service the local Mayfair community in Hastings, New Zealand. Over that time the school has grown significantly in buildings and student body. The school is multicultural with 220 students and Whānau who represent over 17 nationalities. The four cornerstones of Mayfair's success are: Values, Collaboration, Kaupapa Māori and Innovation. Our values of Respect, Integrity, Resilience and Identity are at the heart of our kura.
Te whare o te oki -
The House of the Oak.
Our school stands beside our oak tree, which is at the centre of the school. It was planted just after its opening. It has remained constant throughout the generations of students and staff who have been a part of Mayfair School's whānau.
The buildings, students, staff and grounds have changed many times, but our oak remains steady. With care and maintenance, it has provided shelter and is a symbol of recognition across the Heretaunga ruhe. The oak is our koro. He protects us and indicates the change of seasons throughout each year. In the winter, we are reminded of the wisdom and knowledge that comes with growth and age, in spring, we see the hope of new life, learning, and relationships. With summer the vibrant green is beautiful and brings joy and hope. With autumn, we are reminded to cast off the old and look forward to the future.
The acorns have been collected and germinated over the years for our leavers to take with them as a symbol of remembrance. (The other acorns help feed the ducks).
The songs of the tui sing out from its branches and keep us company. The shade it provides keeps us safe and entertained on the hot summer days.
Past students, staff and community members are drawn back to the oak when they visit because it is the ongoing stalwart of our kura.
Values
Mayfair students, family, staff and community established four key values that represented our expectations and aspirations for our learners. The values are Integrity, Respect, Resilience, Identity
These values are practiced by all in our community. Students learn what these values look like, sound like and feel like and shape their own practice of these values. Our students are our champions .
Collaboration
Collaboration occurs all the time between Mayfair students, family, staff and community.
Mayfair collaborates with other schools, students and communities locally and internationally to develop best practice that improves the eduction of our learners.
As not all the expertise lies in our school, students collaborate with external professionals for project based learning or passion projects.
Kaupapa Māori
At Mayfair School, Kaupapa Māori is a strategy used for the transformation of student learning that is based upon seven principles:
Tino Rangatiratanga - Having meaningful control over one’s own life and cultural well-being.
Ako - A teaching and learning relationship, where the educator is also learning from the student.
Kia piki ake i nga raruraru o te kāinga - This principle addresses the issue of socio-economic disadvantage and the negative pressures this brings to whānau (families) and their children.
Whānau - Whānau and the practice of whanaungatanga (family connectedness).
Manaakitanga - To extend aroha (love and compassion) to others.
Kaitiakitanga - A kaitiaki is a guardian. Offering Kaitiakitanga is offering guardianship to the sky, land and sea.
Kotahitanga - The concept of togetherness.
Innovation
At Mayfair School Innovation makes collaboration easier. Innovation helps to build skills, allowing students to learn, early on, to embrace and take advantage of the tools available to them.
Innovations in areas such as child psychology, learning theories, technology and teaching methods are central to Mayfair school.
While many we face challenges, innovation offers a path forward.
Students are put at the center of their learning, empowered to be co-creators of their school experience
Teachers are dedicated mentors supporting personalised learning experiences that meet individual student needs.
Both students and teachers are given the resources they need to transform ideas into realities.