Tēnā koe, talofa lava, and welcome to Te Rotokura – Holy Cross School!

Ko Tala tōku ingoa. He Māori me Hāmoa āku whakapapa – nō te upoko o te ika āhau.

I’m proud to serve as the tumuaki (principal) of our beautiful kura.
We are a Catholic primary school for Year 1 to 8 learners, offering a rich, nurturing environment where every child is known and valued. With dedicated staff, strong teaching, and after-school care, we support each child’s growth in faith, learning, and wellbeing.
Our community is wonderfully diverse, and we honour and celebrate the unique cultures, languages, and identities that make us who we are.
As tumuaki, I see myself as a kaitiaki – a guardian of our kura. My role is to protect what matters most: our land, our history, our faith, and our people. I carry with me the whakataukī: "Kia whakatōmuri te haere whakamua" – I walk backwards into the future with my eyes on the past. It reminds me to lead with strength, grounded in identity and ancestry.

At the heart of our school is The Holy Cross WAY, built on three core values:
Whānau – Be Inclusive
Aroha – Be Kind
YES! – Be Brave and Take Risks

These values guide how we live, learn, and grow together. We regularly ask our ākonga and staff:
Are we including others? Are we being kind? Are we being brave?
These are the same values Jesus lived out — he welcomed all, showed deep compassion, and led with courage. We invite you to come and experience that spirit here at Holy Cross.

“Let all that you do be done in love.”
 – 1 Corinthians 16:14
We’d love to welcome you into our whānau.