Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu

There are four elements to our logo:

• full name Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu
• short name Te Kura
• graphic device, which is based on the koru pattern
• ‘Te Kura’ green.

Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu

Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu refers to connecting students with learning, although there is a wealth of meaning behind the name which reflects the role we play within the education sector, our students and our vision for their achievement.

The common meaning of aho is rope or line, but the more traditional meaning is about genealogy and connecting back to history and the people, our ancestors. It also means radiant bright light, the highest light and open space. The relevance of this meaning to us is around cyberspace and connecting to the virtual environment. Te aho opens up new worlds.

The modern and most commonly used meaning of kura today is school. However, kura means knowledge and the concept of knowledge. Other meanings of kura include ornamental, treasure, red, and glowing.

Pounamu is the end result of the geological transformative process. Pounamu is a treasure whether it is rough or polished. Our students are like a greenstone, a treasure undergoing transformation through learning. The link to te aho means the pounamu has a whakapapa, so our life’s experience has a whakapapa to it. Wherever we go we take that story with us. Pounamu also connects us, it is global and transportable and can link us into the 21st century and beyond. ‘Te Ara Pounamu – follow the greenstone path of education.’

Te Kura

Te Kura has been chosen as the short form of our new name because it is easy to say and to remember. We will use Te Kura in the same way we used ‘TCS’ as the abbreviated name for our school in the past.

Graphic device

The graphic device is derived from the Māori koru pattern that forms the basis of our previous logo. Retaining this link to the previous logo helps to convey the growth and development that has taken place at our school.

The koru pattern was chosen because it depicts the connections between students and all those who support their learning – their supervisor, whanau, community; our staff; partners and other agencies.

The koru also represents peace/harmony, personal growth, positive change, and caring for each other.

Colour

The ‘Te Kura’ green is a mid-tone shade of green derived from the kahurangi type of pounamu. Kahurangi is the rarest variety of pounamu and is named after the clearness of the sky. The word kahurangi also indicates nobility and refers to precious jewels.

Questions and answers

Why has The Correspondence School updated its branding?

The changes to our branding are designed to make it more relevant for our students and complement efforts across the school to develop stronger connections between the school and students, whanau and communities.  

Our new branding reflects the role we play within the education sector, the diverse needs and circumstances of our students and our vision for their achievement.

When will plastic posting bags and course materials have the new logo?

The new logo has started to appear on plastic bags and boxes, and on course materials as they come up for review or reprint. This will be a gradual process to enable us to minimise costs and manage the transition with as little disruption to our students and their families as possible.