The logo design draws upon Wānaka’s spectacular natural beauty. There are three mountain shapes. The largest mountain shape (central) is symbolic of the Te Kura O Take Kārara student. Supporting them on both sides are two smaller mountain shapes that represent teaching staff on one side and caregivers on the other. The central mountain can also symbolise the school with the two smaller mountains representing families and the local community.
The mountains are reflected on the water below. This reflection is an acknowledgement of what has gone before (pointing south, the past, the location etc). Take Kārara was a place that Ngāi Tahu Māori would visit annually for food, knowledge sharing and trading in preparation for their trip to find pounamu in the mountains above the Haast River. This use of the land as a meeting place ended around 1836. The new logo, in a way, symbolises a new beginning of this area being used as a place of learning and sharing of ideas – students directing their learning while being supported by the school and their whānau. Just as Maori would replenish their supplies from the area, before seeking precious pounamu sourced from the mountains, students draw from the pool/water of learning in preparation for seeking new heights in their understanding.
Students are navigating their own pathways of learning. There is a point or ‘junction’ between the the mountains and the water. This meeting point between the mountains and the water is represented by a pathway in the form of Mangapore pattern. This pattern is symbolic of many things including strength, leadership, determination and courage. It is also symbolic of wealth. Te Kura O Take Kārara is in an unique location – a scenic wonderland surrounded by a ‘wealth’ of natural beauty that students will draw upon for personal growth, as well as explore as part of their learning.
The colours are based on the colours used in the building which draw upon the earthy tones found in the area.
