Logo

“Exploring the meaning of Tahatai”

Our school logo has significant meaning for our kura as it recognises our history, place and sense of community. The new logo, introduced in 2018, was designed through a robust consultation process involving students, staff, parents, whānau and Ngā Potiki Hapū.

Our logo has three main features: 

                                                      

    Tcs Logo Navy

                                                                         

      1.    The Dolphin or Aihe

      For generations, legends of Aihe or Taniwha (water spirit) have been passed down and it is said that Aihe acted as messengers and as kaitiaki to the people. For Tahatai, te Aihe represents the bringing of new knowledge. It represents kaitiaki, a guardian, trustee, caregiver and custodian. Featured on the original school logo, te Aihe o Tahatai carries the mana from the past; now it will journey with the kura into the future, gathering strength, wairua and mana from te kura, nga kaiako and nga tamariki. The tail touches the coast, connecting the relationship between te wai (coast), te aihe (dolphin) and Tahatai Coast School.

        2.    The Papamoa Hills or Te Rae o Papamoa

        Tahatai Coast School is situated between the three Papamoa hills and the stunning Papamoa coastline. The hills visually connect us with the whenua (land). At Tahatai we come from near and far and form together as one whenua. Through our school values of integrity, respect, responsibility and perseverance we honour the tangata whenua and our ancestors. By including the hills we are paying respect to Ngā Potiki Hapū by recognising the ‘Legend of Mangatawa’.

        3.    Coastal waves or Koru

        Based on the unfurling frond from the silver fern, the koru shape conveys the idea of growth, new beginnings and new journeys. This represents our tamariki and also shows the relationship between tuakana teina and the perpetual movement of te kura, demonstrated by the large and small koru. The number of koru acknowledge four important changes for Tahatai Coast School during its 20-year history.

         

        "I feel proud to be a student at TCS"

        Daniel Year 4