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Curriculum

All New Zealand primary schools are required by law to teach certain subjects and skills. They are:

NZ Curriculum Areas

  • Language – oral and written, reading, spelling and visual language
  • Mathematics
  • Science
  • Social Studies
  • Technology
  • Health and Physical Education
  • The Arts – dance, drama, art, music
  • Māori
  • Digital Technology
  • Aotearoa NZ History

Key Competencies

  • Participating
  • Managing self
  • Using texts and symbols
  • Thinking
  • Relating to others 

Special Programmes:

  1. Students with special learning needs including those not achieving at their chronological age and students who have talent and a passion in different areas of learning.
  2. Reading Recovery which is provided at the 6 year old level for those students who need extra help with reading.
  3. ELL programmes provide support for students for whom English is not their first language.
  4. Teacher aide support for each team to assist with students not achieving at the expected level.

There is a pastoral care team that meets regularly to discuss the above categories of students to ensure that these students are catered for.

Digital Technology:
We provide a range of technology devices available to all our students and teachers. This includes items such as iPads, chromebooks and robotic equipment. These are tools that are used to enhance teaching and learning, by both students and teachers.

International Competitions:
Our most able students from Year 3 upwards can choose to participate in the International Competitions and Assessments in science, digital technologies, english, mathematics, writing and spelling. These competitions give students an opportunity to challenge themselves against others in New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific.

School Library:
The library is a modern environment suitable for the changing needs of students in this technological age. Classes are time-tabled to use the library and students are also encouraged to exchange books or conduct research during lunch breaks and at other times when classes are not using the facility. Our librarian, Cindy Manukonga, is available to assist students.

Students are encouraged to take books home for their own enjoyment and to share with parents. All students are taught how to respect books, and we would ask that parents would reinforce this at home.
Please be aware than an invoice for any books lost or not returned will be sent home to enable us to replace them.

Māori Culture – Kapa Haka:
All classes integrate Te Reo Māori as part of the regular school programme. Overnight and day visits to our local marae on alternating years are included in class programmes. Our kapa haka groups practice weekly and are led by Whāea Raewyn Ashby. The groups share their skills at assembly and represent our school proudly at special events.

Music:
Music is part of our Intermediate Team programme and there are also opportunities to learn a musical instrument with after school providers.

School Production:
Every alternate year the school produces a major musical production which involves the whole school. Our last two productions were Alice in Wonderland and Madagascar Jnr.  We were very proud of our students’ performance.

Pastoral Care:

The health, safety and welfare of our students is very important to us.  Where we have concerns, we contact parents.  The school has access to the following agencies:

  • Police Education        
  • Children’s Health Camp
  • Psychologist
  • Special Education Service      
  • Resource Teacher Literacy
  • Mobile Dental Clinic
  • Hearing and Vision Testing
  • Public Health Nurse
  • Speech Language Therapist
  • Resource Teacher of Learning and Behaviour
  • Social Worker in Schools (SWIS)

We are fortunate to have the services of Kayla Harris, our social worker, each Wednesday. Kayla can be contacted through the school SENCOs, Danielle Hill and Emily Doelman.

All schools have a Public Health Nurse who is available to provide help and advice to children and their families with any health concerns they may have. This is a confidential service and all families are entitled to use it. The nurse for our school is Claire Browne and she can be contacted on 06 753 7790 (ext-5405) mobile 027 444 2108 or email claire.browne@tdhb.org.nz (or through the school office). Here are some examples of some things the nurse can help with: allergies, hearing/vision concerns, speech, parenting, immunisations, wetting, soiling, constipation, head lice, impetigo, nutrition, growth and development, puberty, emotional and behavioural concerns and any other general health issues.