Principal's Message

Kia ora koutou

Hastings Central School is set in Akina, the heart of Hastings and is close to the busy town centre. It is a wonderful place for young people to enjoy, learn and blossom into young adults. Our place is made up of respectful, caring and friendly students who work hard in their classrooms and on the sports field to be the best they can be. Our school has a large gym, a cycle track and bikes, a vegetable garden and a beautiful swimming pool for those stunning summer days.

Manaakitanga, Kōtahitanga, Mana Motuhake and Piringatanga are evident in the ways we work together. They exemplify our quest to make school a fun and happy place for our students to learn. It is an exciting, safe, and welcoming environment for all.

Our goal at Hastings Central is to ignite a passion for learning in all of our students by providing opportunities for students to make some of their own choices about their learning and leading their own inquiries through problem-solving.We are a school that is very proud of its identity, its children, its staff, its facilities, and its community. I know you will enjoy your time here and I look forward to meeting you in person.

Kia mau te kotahitanga!

Mike Winkley

​​​​​​​Principal / Tumuaki

​​​​​​​Culture is our Strategy

"Me mahi tahi tatou, mo te oranga katoa"

"When we work together, everyone benefits"

What does A.I. say about us?

As a result of our staff working together collaboratively on a Teacher-Only Day on what our school is all about, I inputted our brainstorming into an AI model and got the following reults for what we as staff are striving to achieve for the students and whānau of Hastings Central School:

We provide a collaborative framework for fostering a supportive educational environment centered on the concept of a "legacy of connection." Staff members prioritize inclusive relationships by greeting families warmly and acknowledging the diverse cultural backgrounds and individual needs of every student. By maintaining consistent expectations and a "connect before you correct" philosophy, the school ensures that learners feel safe, valued, and emotionally nurtured. Professional cooperation is also a key theme, as educators commit to collaborative problem-solving and mutual support to maintain a positive workplace culture. We believe in a holistic approach to schooling where academic progress is balanced with social resilience and a genuine sense of belonging.

Personally, I agree that this is a great standard for our kura to be striving for!

Mike - Tumuaki

2026