Under the Bridge | A Year Inside Papakura High School 

I failed school. Dropped out. Only to work in crap jobs. I returned to this school as an adult student. Passed my grades. Got better jobs and went on to build my own media company in Australia that now works with some of the largest companies in the world. I'm an author. A father. A business owner. Mentor. Speaker and proud student of Papakura High School. It may not be the flashest school out there, but it still produces students that help change the world.

I went to James Cook high school, Manurewa, these lives and stories resonate with me, I'm came from nothing, I was given nothing but now I travel the world for work, live overseas and have a family of my own, you can come from bad beginnings but still reach the stars

The Principal is spot on "the most important thing for the kids here is that the teachers get up everyday and give them hope that education is going to give them a life." Key word being hope, because that's the biggest deficit, there's a sense that things can't and won't get better. I went to Papakura High from 2001 to 2005 and experienced a lot of what these kids have gone through. I loved my time at the school, I had amazingly supportive teachers who made a huge difference and helped counter the narrative of despair. I managed to go on to university, have an interesting and meaningful career, and live the kind of life I could have only dreamed of as a kid. Thanks to all of the teachers and staff who believed in me and helped me believe in myself.

My babies attended schools in Papakura for a short time and when we moved I put them into Catholic schools, my babies miss everything about Papakura the caring community, loving teachers, supportive and true friends that they will never forget. They experienced a few ups and downs at their new school and came home crying mama we want to go back to Papakura please. Due to our commitments we couldn't return, but what they had in Papakura they have applied it to their lives and have certainly become great young adults with pure hearts souls. They met up with their friends at a combined school trip and it was like they never left their school friends from Papakura. Awesome community safe suburb for us to reside in and we really do miss KURA SO MUCH 🌹

Should make this into a series around most of our schools in Auckland, this would inspire alot of our youth and open alot of eyes to most of our society. This was quite intriguing to watch #Respect ✊🏽

This is awesome. They should do a "where are they now" that would be pretty cool.

As a student who attends papakura high and is going to be a year 12 this year its so good to see the history of the school and it really does feel like home even with the fights and drama in it and most of the teachers are very supportive ❤

The principal is so passionate and truly cares for his students!!Mad respect!!

Watching from Canada 🇨🇦. Much respect to the kids trying to live positive lives and to the principal supporting them. Going to visit New Zealand 🇳🇿 next year.

I hope and pray Wendy is flourishing right now, she is an amazing young woman who is so selfless! Awesome vid 😊The principal, school and students deserve more help from the M.O.E but I hope you all stay the same and have the same drive and motivation!

now thats a real principal.

John Rohs I remember 30 years when he was an English teacher at Lytton High School, 30 years ago. An absolute gentleman and totally dedicated to his students. With those attributes I can see why he’s leading a school as diverse as Papakura High School.

The youth featured in this documentary were strong, diverse, just amazing. Beautiful leaders, exciting future.

I wish I had teachers and a principal that had such a strong interest in its students such a good thing too see. I hope they are all achieving and flourishing.

What a lovely documentary. Cried and smiled at the ending. Such a lovely principal this school is lucky to have. ❤️

Really moved by this principal! I hope there is a continuous story about that school. Teachers work hard for these young as well! Awesome!

Go get it kids, don’t let anything hold you back.

He seems cool I went to papakura high school when Mrs Appleby was the principal. Not saying she was bad but we hardly saw her and she didn't show interest like Mr Ross. Nice to see things there have progressed since I left (16 years ago now)

I went to rosehill college not to far away from this school. Had all the respect in the world for all schools in kura it was us against everyone. Loved every moment growing up lot of life lessons learned wouldnt trade that time in kura for anything in this world.

wish australia had principals that cared bout islanders

rip I’m the only islander in my school. Great documentary~

Tongan from America this is a very great video!

I went to Papakura Intermediate. I can resonate with these students. My cousins went to Papakura High. 🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇 School. I miss kapahaka. Much love and respect to Papakura High. ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️ My indigenous brothers and sisters.

Even though this doc was from 2017 but this is our first time seeing this. WELL DONE and we enjoyed watching, thank you for sharing. Prayers up to the Principal and all the staff that help our children, blessings to you all and for the students hope nothing but the best for your future 💯 Kia Kaha! Proud of you all! Aroha 💖

Coming from someone who goes to a school near-ish central Auckland, it is definitely interesting and inspiring to see from another perspective. Thank you nzherald for this wonderful documentary. :)

Had me in my feelings watching this. Brought back so many memories I hadn't thought about in years, even made me start pondering moving home in the next few years & revisiting working with our youth back home. Awesome work papakura!

This makes me wish I was a better student, a better teenager. I ruined that! Oblivious to support systems around me! Now I’m living it’s consequences of being unstable. I’m proud of these students in these clips! 🙏 and having the most supportive person of another culture behind them is just beyond me 💙❤️💗

One of the better things the NZ Herald has put together

Positive papakura! Positive papakura high school! Very touched vedio. Absolutely agree with education change people’s life! Amazing school and people! Very proud of them! We should support them as a community

Thank you jesus from new Zealand island s

Amazing courage this principle allowed the cameras in his school and for others to see life through their eyes.

Love this! We need more amazing Principals like Mr Rohs 🙌🏽

I use to wonder all the time wat I wanted to do with my life and I never really found it, done all sorts of different jobs mainly factory work, but if I could turn back time I would do alot more academically and take life way more seriously and tryn be centred in something specific occupational wise to be the absolute best at it in the world.

The world needs more Mr Rohs. Your doing a great job Principal. It shows with your students. Keep up the good work to all. Much love from OZ 👍🏽❤

Jayden sounds so serious, you should ha e seen him off camera. He was the funniest and he punched me in the balls so hard that I couldn't walk right for a week.

So supportive and he’s correct if you set the standard everyone will follow suit...

these girls , all beautiful, no make up not needed, wish i had grew up with such good company

Inspirational, the power of hope and belief. Awesome

Amazing our wonderful PI /Maori future generations. Great video

“Being Tongan or Samoan is not rlly Useful in the world"I’m sure rugby forward Coaches would say otherwise 😂🇼🇸🇹🇴❤️🔥💯

WHAT A PRINCIPLE!!!!👍👍👍👍💯💯💯

Great documentary. Hope and pray that those kids are doing well and big ups to the principal💯💯♥️

shout out to all the main characters on this lil documentary ... love and prayers to you and yours...

Mad love to my Nana's ex the only white man I really grew up with yet the only man that tried to teach me hard work and values. Shout out to Makkah from the lion brewery new market. This principal reminds me of his values.

there is ssssssoooooo much aroha in that school I am from another country but I have worked and volunteered my time within the school and the community it's a great school in my personal opinion...

Far out that school has change heaps when I was there back in 2001 it was cool in my days & looking at it now it's like totally different in a good way I would love to go back there and teach

Awesome Doc - For it's Realness and all main Subjects

We lived 2 doors down, can I just say that the mana that came from your daily practises preping for polyfest was absolutely glorious! Sent chills down our spines whenever we sat down to eat dinner. LOVED IT!! You kids are meke, keep striving for the best, be the best you can be, aim for the stars and dont let anyone or anything stop you.. Kia kaha Kia manuia xx #HaatiKura

what a great headteacher, he is doing great things for his school

big ups to the principal well done.kia Ora e te Matua,Pai tou mahi!!

Pretty cool doc.. I hope john rohs achieve's his goals with the school.. we got a lot of talented kids in south auckland who need a lil bit of direction.. not too many principles out there who go that lil bit extra to get the best out of school students.

The first time I have seen this show, great admiration for the principal John Rohs and staff. I hope the students are continuing on track with their dreams. Arohamai

Exactly no excuse for failing due to gangs etc my cousin uses that as his excuse still and he's 30 yrs old he just chose that life still could choose to do better but won't , your principal and students are absolutely inspiring and amazing

Well done to Dear Principal John Rohs great job and a great person.

Y'all got some interesting videos on here nzherald. Ka Pai 👌👌🤙🏽🤙🏽

John wasn't new to the Maori and south Pacific Islands as he was the former principal from Christchurch of Aranui High so he got his basis to where he is today and he will lift this school that every student and teacher will want to attend.

LOVE THE HOPE AND VISION FOR PAPAKURA HIGH!!

What an amazing Principal

Well done to the students whom strive for a better future.

Kura ✊ Awesome video NZ Herald & inspiring video to all. Loved watching my niece Wendy you'll always be a great rolemodel & inspiration to your many cousin's Wendy good girl loves to you 😍😍😍

Amazing video and what incredible people.

Awesome piece on some very beautiful people. Great stuff!

Need more principals like him

This video is so inspirational & the motivation it gave me is so amazing. I would have loved to come to this school ❤️ great job guys

Glad my old man got us off the streets & out the hood. Now it's MASSEY WEST!!! 832 WA.

What an amazing principal great environment your creating...

Awesome kids with their heads on straight known what they want, all because of their school. Great job Mr Rohs!

I have Respect for both the Head Prefects of Papakura High School

This principal is a smart man!!

Love this! Need more videos like this. Really good insight and amazing individuals

What a wonderful story

What a fantastic principal.

Good on u Jayden an awesome example to many young people.

omg I just saw my holiday program boss and my extended adopted family and myself in the background gosh

Follow up story would be great, particularly regarding ministry commitment to improving the environment in which these kids strive to learn. Frustrating now when you see how much was spent on that "green school".

Mihinui Kia Koe e te Rangatira. Very good man this.

I went to this high school when I was younger, it sounds like it has definitely gotten better since then. when I went there, it was a terrible experience for me...

Mad respect staying on point..Takanini to Kura

Miss papakura best place I've ever worked it beautiful clip

What a cool principal.

Before I lived in Papakura, I went to Aorere College and there were two guys who I went to school with that were destined for greatness. One was constantly in trouble with Police and the other couldn't speak English. The first guy ended up winning the K1 kickboxing world championship and became a UFC superstar. The second ended up being the first chinese speaking real estate in New Zealand and became a millionaire. Its not where you come from - its what you make of what God given talents you have.

We need polyfest back! :( its sad to know I got to experience all the mana but my sister only 4 years younger will never know just how much kids came together for a polyfest performance 😭

smart man, work before u study i went straight into uni with out any money and absolutely struggled my mind out

I could’ve used this guy when I was at school…. and some of these teachers 💛

Awesome kids ! Nice doco. Proud Polys!! :)

11:39 omgg Just realised it said “Year 13”... I was thinking that he was 13 💀🤦‍♀️

Good on you Principal Rohs !!

Thank You! 😃

interesting.. doc and I can see much love .. islanders are very loving and beautiful.. but they get that whole judge the book by its cover...

Papakura and its people will always be part of me number 3 squadron air training at papakura army base Miss my friends from those years The young guy I shared a dormer with was a few years older He was a army translation specialist he was wounded in veitnam on duty Hardest thing to pack his gear without him for the boss Never ever doubt the mana of your village is strong Be kind cause a grevious random act of kindness every day 65 year old cadet that fainted on parade Anzac day at 13 in heat that even solders in arms went down it was so so hot 🔥 Thank you for picking me and my side drum up Carrying me to a shady tree And saving this 13 year olds life

Is there anyway we can give this lovely girl someone for her family trip?

Hey, does anyone know where I could listen to the song from the end credits? It sounds as though (based on the lyrics) that it's a student's song, and I'd love to support them by listening and sharing.

He’s a great man 👏🏽☺️

This video is absolutely beautiful bro, the ending tho. You're crying g not me

The right principal for the job 👍👍👍

Love this ❤️

I went to this school (i'm in my 40's now) .. have nothing but good memories of it.

I have lived in Auckland my entire life (28 years), my first time seeing an Officer with a gun that size

That principal is amazing

AMAZING Principal 🙏