Mrs Allen's Corner
Three Peaks Cluster
There are eight small schools dotted up the coast heading north from here. Each one of them is regarded as the focal point of their local community. Together, we call ourselves the 'Three Peaks Cluster' ; the three peaks being Mihiwaka at the southern end, Mt Watkins near Waikouaiti, and Puketapu in the north. The eight schools, besides ourselves, are Waitati, Warrington, Karitane, Flag Swamp, Waikouaiti, Palmerston and McCrae's-Moonlight. One of the great things about belonging to this cluster is our joint sporting events. Instead of trying to run all the sports for ourselves, we get together for these events. The various schools take turns at organising; for example, Flag Swamp and McCrae's are famous for their cross-country / orienteering; Warrington for the triathlon on their beach; and Palmerston for the athletics days. Our specialty is a multi-sport try-out day held at the Edgar Centre , featuring at least a dozen new sports to have a go at.
Cultural events benefit in the same way. When all the eight schools combine we have about 350 children in total. Some of our regular events are a spelling bee, wearable arts show, a bienniel Kaupapa Maori Festival; and our new one this year is a choral Jam where we will all get together in the hall at Waikouaiti and sing our hearts out.
The Three Peaks Cluster is just as important for the staff as it is for the students. The eight principals meet at least once each term, and find it is invaluable as a collegial support network. We share ideas on curriculum and pedagogy. We also use our combined experience to help each other with organisational issues such as Charters and Targets. Sometimes we bring in all our staff, or even our Boards of Trustees too, to a joint professional training session.
Each of us in the cluster knows we are the centre of a tight-knit school community. It is very good to know that we are also part of a vibrant, energetic and supportive wider community ; The Three Peaks Cluster.