While lockdown presented challenges for the Waitara East School community, it also had a role in changing the landscape of the school for the better. Principal Perrie Topia says they have focused their efforts in two major areas: teaching and learning, and wellbeing. Upskilling staff, joining the Manaiakalani Cluster and using Covid Response Funding to employ a kaitakawaenga to support their people, are some of the actions the dual-medium kura has taken.