| Literacy – Oral, Visual and Written Language, Reading, Spelling and Presenting
In Literacy all students (Year 0 to 8) are provided with rich language instructional strategies and activities in a range of contexts to cater for their varying pathways and needs. They learn, use and enjoy language and literature. They communicate orally, visually and in writing for a range of purposes and audiences and in a variety of text forms. This gives them the understanding, knowledge and skills they need to participate academically, socially and culturally along their lifetime learning pathway.
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Oral Language is a key part of students’ literacy learning. Students are assessed at 5 years of age to establish their level and their prior knowledge in oral language. All classes place an importance on oral discussions, brainstorming, problem solving, current events and using thinking skills as part of the language process. Year 0-2 students are encouraged to share and report to their class on topics of news and events, with Year 3-8 students being encouraged to prepare and give speeches and reports to their classes. The class and/or school winners enter and participate in the local schools public speaking competitions each year. Debating skills are also taught in upper levels.
Reading and Writing assessments are on-going throughout the year with Standardised Testing for Years 3 to 8 with STAR, PROBE and asTTLE Tests. Assessment data is reported on at Interviews, and through written reports. Year 1 and 2 students are tested at 5 years and again at 5½ to identify their knowledge and learning of basic words, letters and sounds, basic maths, and concepts about print.
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| Mathematics
Number & Algebra – Geometry & Measurement – Statistics. Students develop skills, knowledge and understanding across all areas of the NZ Mathematics Curriculum. Achievement objectives are presented in three strands (as above) and it is important that students see and make sense of the connections within and across these strands. |
Mathematic programmes provide opportunities for
By learning mathematics, students develop important thinking skills. They learn to create models and predict outcomes, conjecture, justify and verify, and seek patterns and generalisations. They learn to estimate with reasonableness, calculate with precision, and understand the processes used. Numeracy is the key learning area for classroom maths programmes. NZ Curriculum guidelines determine the emphasis given at different levels for each strand from Year 0 – 8. Mathematics and statistics have a broad range of practical applications in everyday life, and in other learning areas. |
| Mathematics Assessments | Assessments are on-going throughout the year; data may be collected to provide information on what students know, and inform future learning programmes.
Assessment procedures may involve the following –
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| Science/Social Sciences/Technology | These curriculum areas are taught under Topic from Year 0-8 with some specialised teaching of subjects in Year 6-8.
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| Science | Science is a curriculum area of investigating, understanding and explaining our natural, physical world and the wider universe.
Science develops a curiosity, and through experiments and investigations students learn the skills to gain knowledge. Studies may include topics such as volcanoes, weather, insects, planets and space, chemistry, levers and mechanics, growing seeds, and animals and people.
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| Social Science | Social Studies/Sciences explore how societies work and how they can participate and take action as critical, informed and responsible citizens.
Studies may include current topical studies such as Matariki, Olympics, Disasters, National or World events, or students may investigate the past to show links to the present day. Geography and NZ History are also a component as identified by parents in school consultations.
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| Technology | Technology is invention by design – students learn practical skills as they develop models, products and systems. Adaptation, innovation, critical thinking and creativity are key parts of Technology.
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| The Arts / Music-Art-Dance-Drama | Music is one of our strengths with the school providing a specialist music programme from Year 0 – 8. There are many opportunities for children to become actively involved. Students participate in music lessons through singing, playing instruments, creating and reading music.
The children are involved in Arts Events such as Wearable Arts, Talent Shows, Ukulele and Marimba Festivals, and Concerts. The students have opportunities to be involved in musical groups to perform at events and at assemblies during the year. Students enjoy using traditional and ‘state of the art’ instruments, including keyboard, guitar, ukulele and percussion instruments and marimbas.
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| Visual Art | Visual Art is an important part of the class programme and students use a range of materials and medium to create art pieces throughout the year.
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| Dance and Drama | Dance and Drama is also taught and students are encouraged to express themselves through this medium, with themes often relating to class topics.
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| Health and Physical Education | We place an emphasis on keeping fit and healthy- “Hauora” -with exercise and healthy eating to keep us well and actively involved. All students participate in Fitness, Physical Education and learning of skills, Sports and Health Studies.
Our students compete in school sports programmes (Year 1 to 8), inter-school sport and field days (Year 5 to 8), and for Yr 5-8 students who excel in sport, there are opportunities to compete at Zone sports levels in Counties and Auckland. Health topics include safety programmes – keeping ourselves safe, water, play and road safety, healthy eating/nutrition, hygiene, and for Yr 7/8 sexuality education. The school places an importance on swimming and water safety and we try to fund (with some Ministry of Education Kiwi Sport support) a Swimsafe Program at least every second year.
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| Education Outside The Classroom | Outdoor Education gives the opportunity for children to have safe and enjoyable learning experiences involving outdoor pursuits while developing respect (for others, themselves and the environment), co-operation, initiative and confidence.
Year 5 to 8 students may have overnight camp experiences or opportunities for outdoor pursuits, learning experiences or physical activities. Year 1 to 4 students have at least 1-2 outdoor trips each year to provide learning experiences outside the classroom (such as the zoo, museums, parks and historical places). Ministry of Education regulations insist that on all visits there will be a set ratio of adults to children. The ratio required depends on the type and duration of the trip. Trips are therefore only possible if sufficient parent volunteers are available to help us in this way. We greatly appreciate this assistance, which has been a feature of parental support for the school.
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| Te Reo Maori | All teachers deliver Level 1 Te Reo to our students in recognition of the bi-culturalism that is New Zealand. Children are made familiar with basic Maori words, legends and stories, cultural attitudes and beliefs.
Alongside Te Reo in the classrooms is the component of understanding the Treaty of Waitangi, and the special place NZ history and geography has in understanding who we are in today’s society. We encourage and explore the special place cultural diversity has in Aotearoa New Zealand.
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| Is my child expected to do homework? | Homework is a requirement for all children in our school and may range from learning and revising basic facts, spelling and practising reading through to completion of school tasks and research based units of work. The amount and time spent varies according to the age of your child.
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| Second Language Learning (Year 7 / 8)
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Based on Level 1 of NZ Curriculum requirements for learning basic vocab to be able to converse in other languages. This is a Ministry of Education requirement for Year 7 and 8 students. Students are exposed to these languages, which helps them to make informed choices at secondary school when choosing subjects.
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