In 2024 our curriculum focus for the year is around kindness towards others. Each term will have a unique focus but they all centre around the central theme of building pro-social skills, kindness and care towards ourselves and others, effective communication, problem-solving, and how we become positive members of our school and the wider community.

Term 1 - He aroha whakatō, he aroha puta mai - If kindness is sown then kindness you shall receive. This will centre around our GEIS values and how these live at home, at school, and in the wider Aotearoa New Zealand historical context. Classes will engage in conversations around expected behaviours at school and in the community. Each class will develop a bespoke student-led class treaty agreement which can be referred to throughout the year and will serve as a reminder alongside our school rules, values, and behaviour expectations. This will set students up for a positive way forward when they are learning to navigate potentially tricky social situations that are common in adolescence.

Term 2 - Poipoia Te Kākano Kia Puawai - Nurture The Seed, And It Will Blossom. This term will focus on Human Biology and the unique phase of life our students are experiencing. Classes will delve into what is happening in their minds and bodies so students can garner a deeper understanding of what is happening for them all during puberty and early adolescence. Communication about the finer details of this term's learning will come home in due course.

Term 3 - Ki te Kotahi te kākaho ka whati ki te kapuia e kore e whati - When we stand alone we are vulnerable, when we stand together we are unbreakable. This term will focus on trade and economics with an Olympics spin. Classes will be looking into international relations and how countries treat each other (positively and negatively). Students will engage in learning about communicating on a higher level, teamwork, and community (small and large). We also have Life changers coming in - Life changers key themes explored during the program include physical and mental health, mindfulness, goal setting, problem-solving, gratitude, self-awareness, resilience and connection.

Term 4 - Whatungarongaro te tangata toitū te whenua - While people come and go the land remains. This term will focus on Tuikana-Teina which is a concept from te ao Māori and refers to the relationship between an older (tuakana) person and a younger (teina) person. Our Y7s will be nurtured to step up and develop leadership as they head into Y8 so they can move from being the younger (teina) to the older (tuakana). There will also be a focus on Tuikana-Teina between humans and the environment (and our beaches). We will delve into our unique relationship with the Waitakeres and closer environment in the hope that we students move on to the next chapter they are leaving GEIS as it was when they arrived. We also have St Johns coming in to run their 'weaving well-being together' programme which centres around positive mental health strategies.

We look forward to our themes next year which will take the shape of national and international events and our health programme.

In this issue

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