At Rolleston College, we want every single one of our learners to feel connected, valued, and supported. To make sure this happens every day, we are explicitly aligning our school goals, daily routines, and support systems with the heartwarming values of E Tū Tāngata.

A wonderful example of this care in action is our term 2 Men of Mana programme. Led by our Behaviour Specialist, Sam Gimblett, and spearheaded by our fantastic Community Kaimahi – former Crusader and Manu Samoa rugby star Tii Paulo – this programme is all about lifting up and guiding our year 12 young men as they grow into positive role models.

Moving past outdated stereotypes: Redefining healthy masculinity

Growing up today comes with a unique set of social pressures. From social media expectations to peer influence, young men often face unhelpful, outdated stereotypes and unspoken rules about what it means to be a guy. Research shows that breaking down these rigid pressures is one of the most powerful ways to support young men's mental health, self-confidence, and general wellbeing.

In our Men of Mana sessions, Tii Paulo and our guest mentors are actively promoting healthy masculinity as the positive alternative. Healthy masculinity means rejecting the idea that there is only one "right" way to be a man.

We talk openly with our boys about how they can absolutely still love rugby, work on their fitness, be strong, assertive, and enjoy quality time with the lads – but that true strength also means being free to express sad emotions, ask for help, or enjoy interests that don't fit into traditional boxes. Healthy masculinity is about boys feeling completely confident in who they are, without the pressure to perform to a certain stereotype. It’s about being kind, empathetic, and finding peaceful resolutions to problems.

Respectful relationships and character

By moving away from outdated ideas, our young men focus heavily on how they treat others. A core pillar of healthy masculinity is treating everyone with respect and fostering respectful relationships (which always include consent and clear boundaries).

Through team-building, fitness, and mentoring, the boys focus on five key character traits:

• Integrity: Being real and doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.

• Responsibility: Owning your choices and actions, proud of the good and learning from the bad.

• Resilience: Bouncing back and keeping your chin up when things get tough.

• Emotional Maturity: Staying calm, collected, and respectful when dealing with feelings.

• Growth Mindset: Realising that mistakes are just a normal part of learning and improving every single day.

Wrapping a "support team" around our boys

The heart of the program is built around the three core truths of E Tū Tāngata, which help us wrap a supportive network around our students:

• You Have Value: The boys explore self-worth and discover how healthy lifestyle habits—like regular exercise, nutrition, and good sleep – protect their mental health and boost self-confidence.

• Others Matter: They focus on empathy, kindness, and recognising that people express who they are in a variety of unique ways.

• We Succeed Together: A major breakthrough in our recent sessions was exploring the question: "Who is your support team?"
  We are teaching our young men that they never have to carry life's burdens alone. They have spent time identifying the trusted family members, friends, teachers, coaches, and mentors they can reach out to whenever they need a helping hand.

We are incredibly proud of the honesty, growth, and maturity these year 12 boys are showing. By embracing our school values and supporting one another, they are proving that we can build a kinder, safer, and stronger community for everyone.

If you have any questions about this program or our pastoral care, please feel free to reach out to Sam Gimblett at sam.gimblett@rollestoncollege.nz.