On Friday 15th March our Whānau groups will be heading off on 5 different trips around Christchurch. The aim of these days out is to expose children to a range of local places and geographical features. Over your child's 6 years at PPS they will have the opportunity to go to all 5 places. Nearer the time, you will receive more detailed information from your child's Whānau group teacher.

Whānau groups provide opportunities for children to build relationships from NE up to Year 6 and to develop and maintain a buddy system within the school. They promote our school values and are a time to have fun and develop social skills, giving the older children a chance to show leadership and for the younger children to feel supported.

Our Whānau groups are named after 5 native trees: Rimu, Mātai, Tōtara, Kahikatea and Kauri.

Whānau – family - is one of the culture defining features of Papanui School reflecting our goals and values.  Whānau groups are a method for:

• Building a family atmosphere within the school,

• Developing and maintaining a tuakana–teina buddy system

• Providing support for new children / younger children,

• Provide leadership opportunities for year 4 - 6 children,

• Creating opportunities to build connections and relationships

• Providing support for teaching staff, by creating a ‘trusted colleague’.

• Promote school values and goals

• Having fun and developing social skills

At PPS we want our students to wonder and be curious about people, places and society and to take an interest and engage in social issues and ideas.

Important aspects of a Social Sciences programme:

• A focus on understanding their own uniqueness and their place in the world

• Develop an awareness of the needs of others and show kindness (Atawhai).

• Explore their place in communities, starting with local and expanding to the global.

• Develop an understanding of their rights and responsibilities as a member of the community.

• Appreciate other societies in time and place.

• Participate in social action.

• Value our bicultural identity and multicultural society.

• Learn about the history and stories of Aotearoa New Zealand and make connections with the present.