One of our responsibilities as a school is to ensure we are inclusive.

Inclusion is one of eight principles in The New Zealand Curriculum that provides a foundation for schools' decision making. The principle of inclusion can be used to guide curriculum policy and planning, learning programmes, and teaching practice.

Inclusive education practices are about ensuring all students are made to feel welcome at school and are able to take part in all aspects of school life.

Diversity is very much respected here at Lemonwood Grove and school-wide practices and programmes respond to students’ different needs, skills, interests, cultures, and backgrounds.

Inclusion relates very well to one of our current strategic goals around relationships.

One aim for us as a school this year, is to:  build and strengthen our school culture by ensuring positive interpersonal relationships are pivotal to our organisation and to ensure these relationships are fostered and protected at all times.

One example of how we are ensuring this aim is being achieved is through the strong relationship we are developing with Waitaha School.

This week I was lucky enough to observe Kapahaka. This term Ana from Waiata Mai has been employed to work with both schools together. It is awesome to see this genuine, authentic practice taking place. Mel is also participating and learning which is awesome. Our learners are so lucky to be learning in this supportive environment.

Recently we received some feedback from one of our whanau around our inclusive practices.  A big thanks to our staff for making the magic happen. 

"....... Raising a child with special needs is always a challenge and definitely a team approach. Lemonwood's teachers are so passionate, dedicated, understanding, knowledgeable, inclusive and inspirational, they truly have made a real difference and we will forever be grateful to the whole team at Lemonwood".

Have an awesome long weekend and thank you for all your ongoing support. 

Regards

Sean | Tumuaki

principal@lemonwoodgrove.school.nz