Why Choose Us?

Thinking Skills and Inquiry Learning:

Our learning programmes develop high level thinking skills and teach the processes of HOW to learn, in order for children to become independent learners.  Our 'Inquiry' learning model requires children to develop their own questions within each topic, research information, then present their findings to an audience in a different form from how they gathered their initial data.  This means they have to use the information they have gathered in order to decide whether it is worthwhile.   We expect children to take responsibility for their own learning and behaviour, and our learning programmes develop these skills over our 6 year-levels.

Meeting Individual Needs:

Our differentiated learning programmes meet the diverse learning needs of all children, and offer challenge at every level.  Small-group instruction is a feature in every classroom.  Extension and enrichement activities, across all curriculum areas, are ongoing.  Booster programmes operate for English Language Learners, Reading Recovery, Mathematics catch-ups, Spelling, Phonemic Awareness, and Fine Motor Skills. 

I.C.T.

Our learning programmes integrate Information and Communication Technology across all curriculum areas.  Free use of all ICT equipment is available to all children on a daily basis as part of their learning programmes.  There are no additional charges for children to use our ICT resources. 

Literacy and Numeracy

Our learning programmes focus on competency in these two essential learning areas.  Small-group teaching operates in every classroom.  Standardised test results across New Zealand show that most of our children are achieving above the national average for both literacy and numeracy.  School data shows excellent increases in levels for every child over every year. 

In 2009 the school began working with Barbara Brann, an international authority on the acquisition of early literacy skills.  Our current Year 1 and 2 children are achieving Reading and Writing levels well above those of previous cohorts of children.  We are so excited by their fantastic achievements and look forward to celebrating their ongoing successes at levels well above the expected National Standards for children of their chronological age.  The school is committed to continuing this programme as it certainly increases our children's skills and abilities well above the expected level for their age.

The Arts and Physical Skills

Our learning programmes develop skills, appreciation, and involvement in physical activites and the creative arts. 

Every child in the school is involved in a celebration of The Arts curriculum every year.  The school has a three-year cycle of Arts presentations - a Visual Art Exhibition in Year 1 of the cycle, full-scale Music/Drama Productions for both Juniors and Seniors in the 2nd year, and a celebration of all The Arts in the 3rd year.  In 2010 every child participated in the presentations of Music/Drama/Dance items and Visual Art displays.

The school is proud of its Physical Education programme, having won an award for its Physical Activity programme and achieving high praise from ERO for its PE programme.  We have received extensive funding from SPARC to provide professional coaching to every child within the school sports programme.  Over 2010 and 2011 every child will receive 6 sessions of professional coaching, during the school day, in Hockey, Badminton, Volleyball, Tennis, Squash, Table Tennis, Softball, and Rugby League.  The school also has several teams participating in North Shore competitions for Netball, Miniball, Flippaball, Touch, and Hockey.  We also participate in the Zone Field Days held by the Northern Bays cluster of schools - cross country, athletics, and winter sports.