Curriculum
| the-new-zealand-curriculum.pdf |
Mission: To educate for life.
Vision of the New Zealand Curriculum is to develop:
Confident, connected, actively involved, lifelong learners.
Numeracy and Literacy are the core focus areas of the Curriculum.
Social Science, Technology and Science are integrated and are taught using an inquiry model. The emphasis of teaching students ‘how to learn’ is equally as important as ‘what is learnt’.
The Values and Key Competencies are taught across all the learning areas.
There is widespread consensus that today’s students must be able to think critically and creatively, solve problems and collaborate if they are to succeed and work and live in the 21st Century.
A Digital Technologies Plan has been developed in line with the Ministry Enabling eLearning Framework.
Our eLearning vision is:
To engage and empower all learners, whilst preparing them to be digitally literate, innovative and confident users of digital communication and creative tools, and active members of the global eCommunity.
Our programmes incorporate the development of global awareness and what it means to be a Global Citizen. We are linked with the Asia NZ Foundation and have developed an ‘Asia Aware Framework’ which guides teachers in teaching our students to live, work and play in a multicultural community. The cultural diversity within our school is celebrated and enriches our school community.
A major curriculum focus over the past few years has been Science. One of our highly competent teachers completed a science fellowship for 2 terms in 2010, working for NIWA. The Board fully funded her salary on her return to school and she was fully released to lead Science in terms 3 and 4 of 2010 and all of 2011. She provided professional development for staff and worked with all students. She was awarded the Royal Society Primary Science Teacher Fellow Alumni Award in 2011. She continues to support teachers with planning for Science and takes Science Extension Groups. Much of the school’s curriculum is delivered using an integrated inquiry approach using authentic contexts for learning.
Environmental Sustainability is a major focus for our school. We are a registered Enviroschool with Silver status, which was awarded in 2011. This status has been achieved through our demonstrated commitment to educate students about environmental responsibility and by the practices we have adopted to support this. Every class has its own garden and children learn about growing food from seed, through to cooking and eating healthy foods.
Genesis Energy have installed solar panels in the school which generate part of the school’s energy. As part of the programme the school has access to a facilitator who provides in-service to staff and tuition to all children about sustainable energy. The school is connected to a Schoolgen website which enables students to track the amount of energy generated and to compare it to the amount we use. This is a very exciting opportunity for our students and staff to learn about renewable energy in an authentic situation. A Student Schoolgen group meets throughout the year to sustain our focus on sustainable energy.
VISUAL ARTS
The school has a highly qualified part time art teacher who provides art extension classes at all levels of the school. The outstanding quality of art on display in the school is a source of great pride.
MUSIC
A talented part time music teacher, funded by the Board, teaches singing and instrumental music to all children using the Orff Schulwerk approach.
TIKANGA
The Board has employed a Kaiako to take Kapa Haka, Nga Tamatoa, and support the school with tikanga. There are several performance opportunities for children throughout the year.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
The school has a strong commitment to sports programmes. Children compete against other schools in swimming, cricket, netball, soccer, athletics, gymnastics, hockey and rugby. Out of school teams compete in miniball, flippaball, basketball and netball, touch and soccer. A part time sports co-ordinator is employed by the Board and she has the support of a Netball Co-ordinator. The school has an extraordinary level of support in sport from parents.
Vision of the New Zealand Curriculum is to develop:
Confident, connected, actively involved, lifelong learners.
Numeracy and Literacy are the core focus areas of the Curriculum.
Social Science, Technology and Science are integrated and are taught using an inquiry model. The emphasis of teaching students ‘how to learn’ is equally as important as ‘what is learnt’.
The Values and Key Competencies are taught across all the learning areas.
There is widespread consensus that today’s students must be able to think critically and creatively, solve problems and collaborate if they are to succeed and work and live in the 21st Century.
A Digital Technologies Plan has been developed in line with the Ministry Enabling eLearning Framework.
Our eLearning vision is:
To engage and empower all learners, whilst preparing them to be digitally literate, innovative and confident users of digital communication and creative tools, and active members of the global eCommunity.
Our programmes incorporate the development of global awareness and what it means to be a Global Citizen. We are linked with the Asia NZ Foundation and have developed an ‘Asia Aware Framework’ which guides teachers in teaching our students to live, work and play in a multicultural community. The cultural diversity within our school is celebrated and enriches our school community.
A major curriculum focus over the past few years has been Science. One of our highly competent teachers completed a science fellowship for 2 terms in 2010, working for NIWA. The Board fully funded her salary on her return to school and she was fully released to lead Science in terms 3 and 4 of 2010 and all of 2011. She provided professional development for staff and worked with all students. She was awarded the Royal Society Primary Science Teacher Fellow Alumni Award in 2011. She continues to support teachers with planning for Science and takes Science Extension Groups. Much of the school’s curriculum is delivered using an integrated inquiry approach using authentic contexts for learning.
Environmental Sustainability is a major focus for our school. We are a registered Enviroschool with Silver status, which was awarded in 2011. This status has been achieved through our demonstrated commitment to educate students about environmental responsibility and by the practices we have adopted to support this. Every class has its own garden and children learn about growing food from seed, through to cooking and eating healthy foods.
Genesis Energy have installed solar panels in the school which generate part of the school’s energy. As part of the programme the school has access to a facilitator who provides in-service to staff and tuition to all children about sustainable energy. The school is connected to a Schoolgen website which enables students to track the amount of energy generated and to compare it to the amount we use. This is a very exciting opportunity for our students and staff to learn about renewable energy in an authentic situation. A Student Schoolgen group meets throughout the year to sustain our focus on sustainable energy.
VISUAL ARTS
The school has a highly qualified part time art teacher who provides art extension classes at all levels of the school. The outstanding quality of art on display in the school is a source of great pride.
MUSIC
A talented part time music teacher, funded by the Board, teaches singing and instrumental music to all children using the Orff Schulwerk approach.
TIKANGA
The Board has employed a Kaiako to take Kapa Haka, Nga Tamatoa, and support the school with tikanga. There are several performance opportunities for children throughout the year.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
The school has a strong commitment to sports programmes. Children compete against other schools in swimming, cricket, netball, soccer, athletics, gymnastics, hockey and rugby. Out of school teams compete in miniball, flippaball, basketball and netball, touch and soccer. A part time sports co-ordinator is employed by the Board and she has the support of a Netball Co-ordinator. The school has an extraordinary level of support in sport from parents.