In the heart of the Far North sits Kaitaia Intermediate with a leadership team who are determined to make a difference beyond academic excellence. Recognising that the wellbeing of teachers is crucial to fostering a thriving educational environment, Kaitaia Intermediate implements a series of innovative wellness perks to keep kaiako feeling valued and inspired throughout the year. 

Deputy Principal Ange says “When I think about wellbeing the following quote springs to mind, ‘a person who feels appreciated will always do more than is expected’. It's not about people doing more.... it’s about feeling valued and appreciated and if you are, then you are happy to do what is needed to the best of your ability. If you work hard for and look after others - it is often reciprocated in many different ways. Valuing, appreciating and prioritising wellbeing has a ripple effect.  If you model it - you'll see it happen in other places/settings/in various ways with various people.  You also have no idea what is going on for people.  A simple thought or act around wellbeing can have an enormous positive effect on people. It promotes a culture of care and awhi - and you can't go wrong in terms of that.” 

Across the last few years, one of the wellbeing initiatives has been teacher wellbeing days which offer time to spend away from mahi, in whatever way they choose, with classes covered by relievers. Other initiatives include cooked breaky before school starts, peer shout outs in the photocopy room (which are anonymous and a winner each week wins a prize), ice cream orders delivered to their classrooms and the occasional visit of the coffee van onsite for morning coffee shouts. Wellbeing weeks have also been introduced, in line with the maramataka calendar. During these weeks, to help staff rest, no staff hui take place and an ‘all staff out by 3.30pm’ rule is implemented for that week. Feedback from staff on these weeks is positive, with staff saying they mostly get to leave when they choose at the end of the day usually, however they said it was nice to be given permission to go early and their families appreciated having them home early on these days.   

As these programmes are implemented, the positive changes begin to ripple through the school. Teachers start to express a real sense of appreciation and feel-good energy. This shift is not just a personal benefit but professional. They start incorporating more engaging and innovative methods into their teaching practices, which, in turn, creates a more dynamic and supportive classroom environment. 

Some teachers were initially skeptical about the wellness initiatives, but can attribute them with improvements in their own wellbeing. Feedback from staff includes “it definitely goes a long way- shows some appreciation and gratitude and motivates us to keep doing what we do!”,  “I needed a little boost, and this was it” and “it's just what I needed”.  

The positive atmosphere spreads throughout Kaitaia Intermediate. Staff are able to recognise the effect these small initiatives have on their own wellbeing and therefore are more conscious about student wellbeing and how to implement little things to contribute to improving these spaces. Student initiatives are being added into the mix. These include KIS GOLDEN TICKETS & Peer shout outs. Teachers also make phone calls home to whānau for good things students are doing at school on a regular basis to make sure whānau are aware of the amazing things their kids get up to no matter how big or small. 

The leadership team at Kaitaia Intermediate encourages all kura to have a think about small ways they may be able to show their kaiako that their wellbeing is important and valued. They believe 100% that the small things matter and that simple acts of appreciation can have an enormous, often unseen positive effect on people’s lives.  

Article written by Deanna Saxon, Healthy Active Learning Faciltator