Te Rerenga Kotuku Facebook Page
As a college we aspire to reflect our MANA values: Manaakitanga (hosting) Awhi (supporting each other) Ngākaunui (being curious) Aroha (working with positivity) Bream Bay College students are empowered to take an active role in the life of the school and their learning. We do this through involvement in one of the student councils, our student mentors’ group and through the opportunities to engage in authentic contexts through our focus on deep learning.
In the Junior School, a supportive learning environment is created for Year 7 and 8 students through the Homeroom system. Students have a dedicated teacher for key subjects, building community and continuity in their classroom. As students progress into Year 9 and 10, they are introduced to greater flexibility and choice in their educational journey.
Year 9 and 10 students still have a Core Class but they are taught by specialist subject teachers for each subject, moving around the school throughout the day.
Year 11-13 students work towards the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA). Students choose their subjects for the following year through our online system. An electronic link is emailed directly to each student, enabling them to make their selections in consultation with their whānau.
“Te Kōtuku Rerenga Tahi” - the white heron’s single flight is rare, special and unique. In Te Rerenga Kōtuku, our goal is to nurture students into becoming successful learners who are confident in themselves and their abilities. We want them to communicate effectively within te ao Māori, maintain a healthy balance of mind, body, and spirit, and feel secure in their identity and sense of belonging. Our students will gain the skills and knowledge needed to actively participate in Māori society and beyond. We honour and respect the cultural identity and heritage of our students and their families, recognising that the school, home, hapū, iwi, and community must work together consistently to ensure our students succeed. We strive to incorporate local knowledge and contexts into their learning to make it more meaningful and relevant to them.
Meet the TRK and bilingual kaupapa 
Te Rerenga Kotuku
This ingoa (name) derives from our unique connection to Patuharakeke as hau kainga o tēnei whenua. The Kotuku or White Heron considered a kaitiaki of Patuharakeke, protector and guardian of Patuharakeke whenua. Such will be the persona of our Whare, a safe place, one that provides not only academic support but physical, emotional and spiritual support for our tauira (students)
The whakatauaki ‘He kotuku rerenga tahi’ directly translates to ‘A White heron flies once’ and typically used on an occasion when something very special takes place. Rarely seen, the Kōtuku is an expression of a unique event or a momentous opportunity; such has been the 20 year journey to establish our whare.
The White Heron was one of the few birds that our tūpuna did not use as a source of nourishment such was the status of the manu. Te kotuku feather used instead as an adornment worn in the hair of Rangatira (chiefs).
