As part of our ongoing commitment to fostering a safe, positive, and flourishing environment at Rolleston College, we are explicitly aligning our school strategies, systems, and operations with the E Tū Tāngata mindset. This framework is incredibly valuable because it helps us align our language, processes, and daily practices. You will increasingly hear our learners and staff using language centered around its three core pillars: You Have Value, We Succeed Together, and Others Matter.

This week, we want to look closely at Others Matter.

In a large school community, it is easy to focus only on our own immediate experience or goals. But true maturity and leadership happen when our young people look outward and recognise how their actions impact the people around them. We had a powerful example of this in action recently with our junior boys' football team.

Following a bus ride home last week from a match, it came to light that some behaviours on the bus did not align with our values or the expectations we have for our players. There was disrespectful behavior, rude music played, and a general lack of consideration for the people sharing that space.

Instead of brushing it aside, the team met with their coach, Mr Rose, and other school staff to address the situation directly.

We talked honestly about the fact that others matter. The behaviour wasn't fair on the bus driver, and it certainly wasn't fair on our school caretaker, Wayne, who has generously volunteered his own personal time to coach a senior team, and ride on the bus that day. 

What happened next is what made me incredibly proud of these learners as a team:

• Owning the behaviour: The boys didn't make excuses. Those who caused the issues stood up and owned it. 

• Service and restoring the harm: The students who owned their behaviour, decided they wanted to make things right with Wayne. During break time, the boys gave back by completing a period of service to Wayne and the wider caretaking team, helping out with rubbish and school grounds maintenance.

• Collective leadership: The team submitted a letter that went to the bus company, which was received with great thanks. 

We do not expect the weight of a team's behaviour to fall solely on the shoulders of captains or leaders. Our goal is for the boys to collectively see what was wrong, look to make it right, and then move forward in a positive way.

The proof of this learning came immediately. Just yesterday, this exact group of young men was away representing Rolleston College in a sport they love – with absolutely zero issues, representing us with pride.

When we teach our kids that "others matter," we aren't just managing behaviour; we are shaping great young men and women. Well done to Mr Rose and the junior football team for showing us what E Tū Tāngata looks like in action!

The team's letter

"Dear bus company,

We are very sorry for what happened on the bus. Some people from our team at Rolleston College were throwing a banana and playing rude music with bad words. We know this was not good behaviour and it was disrespectful to the bus driver and other people on the bus. We understand that what we did was wrong and we should have behaved better. We are sorry for causing trouble and making the bus ride uncomfortable. We promise to be more respectful and responsible next time and not do anything like this again. Sorry again from the Rolleston College team."