Spirit Week

PRIVATE EVENT

What is Māngere College’s school culture? What are our collective attitudes, beliefs, and behaviours that make up our school environment? We had 43 students in groups of 7-8 to create a SWOT analysis on our school culture, and they found that the common weaknesses and threats were “fighting, attendance, wagging, poor communication, and lack of participation from staff and students”. 

We are holding a Spirit Week during the annual Youth Week, from Monday, 18th May to Friday, 22nd May. Spirit Week allows students to have fun in school while actively shaping a stronger, more connected school environment. Students mentioned in their SWOT analysis the opportunity of creating whole-school events. It strengthens whanaugatanga between students and staff and enhances mana! Students are given the capability to be at the forefront and express themselves in ways that aren’t directly tied to academics. This type of event allows for low-pressure participation and builds school culture through shared experiences and inside jokes that students and staff can relate to. Over time, these moments become part of the school’s identity. Our strengths were our cultural diversity, community connections and extracurricular activities. Spirit Week leverages these positives and amplifies them in a way that can outweigh the negatives of our school. Schools that implement Spirit Week have found student attendance increases as it gives students something to look forward to. They are motivated and feel inclined to participate. Many of our students will avoid coming to school because of their poor relationship with the staff. It breaks down barriers between students and staff because it humanises these authoritative figures, opening up for authenticity and genuine relationships. Stronger school spirit means students feel connected, included, and excited to be at school; pride naturally follows. Spirit Week becomes a visible celebration of that pride, helping to build a positive atmosphere that can last well beyond the week itself.