"Making a difference to self, others and the environment".

Tai Tapu is one of the oldest primary schools in Canterbury and dates back to 1876. We are proud of a long tradition of country education, which combines the benefits of a rural position with all the opportunities of current educational practice. The school has twenty full and part time teachers and eight auxiliary staff, all dedicated to providing the best education possible for each individual and encouraging our learning community to live our school vision: "Making a difference to self, others and the environment". Our annual Pet's Show in November is a great example of continuing the best of our longstanding traditions and is a wonderful community day. Tamariki bring many other creative examples of baking, sewing, craft and flower arrangements as well as their pets to enter. We celebrate the diversity of all learners. Each child is catered for in differentiated learning programmes across the curriculum. We pride ourself on the ability to meet all learners needs and are assisted by our highly trained and specialised teaching assistants. Currently the One Day School is operating from our site. This is funded by our Cluster of Local schools and caters for Year 2 to 8. This provides a unique opportunity for gifted and talented students to follow their interests and be inspired. We take the wellbeing of tamariki seriously. Wellbeing will remain a focus of the school, not only for our tamariki but also for the wider learning community. Feeling good about one self and being able to navigate collaborative relationships and friendships is central to making positive social connections. Our tamariki's ability to develop a positive mindset is central to success in learning. Our tamariki have many successes in academic, sporting and cultural competitions and are enthusiastic learners. We compete in a wide range of sporting exchanges where children participate with enthusiasm and great sportsmanship. At our school the Arts are also prominent and our choirs, musical groups, bands and orchestra allow many children to participate. Digital Learning features strongly in our Innovative Learning Environments. We have had a BYOD policy in place for four years and our learners have many opportunities to use their own and our school devices to inquire, present and extend their learning. We use a wide range of apps and online programming to support a blended learning environment. This combined with the best of precise teaching and learning for individuals, groups and classes invites high levels of engagement and achievement. After a significant building programme carried out over the last two years, our learning spaces are wonderful with every facility for collaborative teaching and learning. We have Koropepe - Year 7/8, Pikorua- Year 5/6, Porowhita-Year 3/4, Koru- Year 1/2. Teachers and students are loving the spaces which allow such innovative learning. Our school grounds are excellent with good playing fields, adventure playgrounds and shaded tree areas for the summer. We have added value to the grounds with native plantings and the school vegetable garden. Families and whānau are actively involved in the school through the PTA , parent help in the classes, sports assistance and cultural events. Attendance at all school functions is always gratifying. Our main focus moving into the future will continue to ensure all tamariki experience success as individuals and that they have the best opportunities available to them as learners.