In Kōpura we are now well into our structured timetable with learning groups, specialist programmes including tuition from itinerant teachers, and workshops; all attending to the needs of each of our tamariki. Our students have been working hard, developing their knowledge and creating greater understanding across a wide range of rich contexts and concepts.

We are often asked how whānau/caregivers can support their children with their learning at home.

Here are a number of ideas that may help attend to your child’s overall development:

Encourage regular reading (at least 20 minutes a day). Your child will be bringing reading books home that are carefully designed to attend to learning goals and reading strategies, as a means of scaffolding their ability to decode words, and develop greater comprehension of a text. Alongside these books it is important to emphasise the effectiveness of reading a variety of texts, including fiction, non-fiction, and poetry, to broaden their literary horizons and enhance their vocabulary skills.

The best thing you can do is to read with your children. Ask lots of questions: What do you think will happen next? How do you think the character is feeling? What would you do if that happened to you? Why do you think the author made that choice?

Sharing exciting books and delving into wondrous stories alongside your children will help foster a love of reading.

Utilise and take advantage of our online educational resources, Reading Eggs, Epic and Mathletics.These platforms offer interactive lessons, quizzes, and activities designed to reinforce classroom learning objectives. The children love engaging with these challenging activities and regularly display perseverance to master the skills being developed.

Look for opportunities to engage with practical learning. Embrace hands-on activities and experiments that promote active engagement. Simple science experiments, handyman projects, art projects, and cooking activities not only make learning fun but also encourage creativity and critical thinking. This could also potentially help get some jobs done around the house. Bonus!

Encourage physical activity. Outdoor play, organised sports or dance are proven ways to energise young bodies and minds. Put on your favourite highschool hit and show off your dance moves or embrace your inner David Beckham and kick a football around.

We have been working on revamping our Te Kotiritiri (TK) Challenges. This revised programme offers structure to learning outside of the classroom for those students who wish to challenge themselves. This fun initiative will be shared with our students and information sent home to families next week.

Often the best thing we can do is to spend time with our children and provide them with lots of opportunities to experience new and exciting things.