Our Beliefs

“Tungia te ururoa kia tupu whakaritorito te tupu o te harakeke”

Clear away the overgrown bushes, so that the new flax shoots will spring forth

We wish to clear away the old and harmful ways of thinking that focus on behaviour modification, compliance and coercion so that new thinking that is holistic, compassionate and focuses on the wellbeing of the child, whānau, kaiako and communities can grow and nurture our children. 

“Hei te tau tītoki”

The year the tītoki tree blooms

The valued tītoki tree does not blossom regularly but does so in its own time when the environment is right. This is an allusion to those with additional learning and care needs blooming in their own space and time, and that healing trauma is a journey which we can all support through our interpersonal interactions, and organisational policies and practices. 

“He hono tangata e kore e motu; ka pa he taura waka e motu”

Unlike a canoe rope, a human bond cannot be severed

Relationships and compassion are the bond that can give strength and courage for people to thrive. Hence, relational approaches are essential for healing and creating safe spaces for learning and growing. 

Our beliefs are further summarised by the words of some leading experts in the area of trauma-informed practice and relational educational neuroscience:

“Brains in pain can’t learn.” 

- Dr. Lori Desautels

“Kids do well if they can.” 

- Dr. Ross Greene

“The more healthy relationships a child has, the more likely he will be able to recover from trauma and thrive. Relationships are the agents of change and the most powerful therapy is human love.” 

- Dr. Bruce Perry 

“Persistent behavioural challenges represent children’s internal distress, not wilful misbehaviour.” 

- Dr. Mona Delahooke (Psychologist and Author of Beyond Behaviours)

“Feeling safe is the treatment and creating safety is the work.” 

- Dr. Stephen Porges

“When a student makes a poor choice (which we all do), it’s the conversation, not the consequence, that makes all the difference.” 

- Educator Justin Tarte

“Connecting with a misbehaving child isn’t a reward; it’s a lifeline.” 

- Rebecca Eanes (Positive Parenting: An Essential Guide)

“Children learn how to regulate their emotions through “co-regulation. The better we can soothe them when they are agitated, or support them when they are low, the better they “absorb” how to do this for themselves.”  

- Stuart Shanker 

“An escalated adult cannot de-escalate an escalated child." 

- Mathew Portell

“Diversity is being invited to the party and inclusion is being asked to dance.” 

- Vernon Myers