Stairway of Successful Innovation - Vision

A living vision is one that is both aspirational and measureable. The key to making this happen is creating a visual alongside that a catchphrase that sets the foundation from which key elements of the school, its connection to place, and an indication of what culture its working is apparent. 

Our logo image draws on a number of elements. The three shapes represent our people, our land, and our place. ‘Our people’ is represented by the swoosh entering the reversed out koru (cooler blue – not yet warmed/changed by the warmer water – the school). The reversed out koru is composed of ‘our land’ (symbolized by Mt Tauhara in green) and ‘our place’ (symbolized by the scorching waters). Together they form the koru shape – acknowledging the importance of both. The swoosh entering the koru also symbolizes the pathway.

​​Our catchphrase "Immersed in Learning" strongly links to the imagery around both the meaning of our school name, the 'place of scorching waters', and, the learning that takes place at Waipāhīhī. “Immersed in Learning” is a broad statement to represent involving oneself deeply in a particular activity. In this case, the activity is learning and it’s deep learning. Surface retention of facts and figures that are rote learned in formal transitional learning environments are not enough anymore. To be successful in this century we need to know how to take some knowledge, connect it to new ideas and to take it deeper.

'Immersed in Learning' ties in nicely with our core learning beliefs (Courage, Ownership, Respect and Empathy) that are then exampled through our key principles and practices that underpin our everyday teaching and learning philosophy.​