Opportunities and Experiences - Ngā wheako me ngā aheinga

Academic Opportunities

Our exciting and engaging school curriculum and the learning environments that support it are outlined in a separate section.

The school participates successfully in local and national academic events. These include Nelsomathix, literacy and social studies quizzes, science fair, Future Problem Solving and various writing competitions.

Modules

Modules are highly popular with students and the range, variety and depth of programmes we are able to provide is extensive. In each module cycle there will be 70 or more options for students to select from.

Actual options available will vary from cycle to cycle but all cater for specific interests, strengths and needs in the four broad categories below.

Languages - e.g. French, German, Japanese, Te Reo, Spanish and Mandarin.

Performing Arts - e.g. ukulele, drama games, guitar, stage band, rock bands, wearable arts, choir, kapahaka, hip-hop dance.

Healthy Communities - e.g. community service, sports organization, first aid, survival skills, environmental action.

Core Curriculum - e.g. thinking skills, extending mathematical thinking, the human body, hands on science, creative writing, print making.

Extension Technology Groups

Extension classes for Year 8 students who have a particular skill or interest are offered in each technological area. Students are able to apply to the relevant teacher for inclusion in these classes.

Sporting Opportunities

We have a part-time sports coordinator whose key role is to get students involved in sport both at school and within the community. In addition to our normal sports programme, lunchtime games, including non-stop cricket, tug of war, touch and endball are organized regularly as interclass tournaments.

The school is fortunate to be well equipped with fields and hard courts, and students are encouraged to take out sports gear for lunchtime use.

We compete successfully in many local and regional interschool events and are keen to encourage individual and minority sports.

Cultural Opportunities

We are fortunate in having a strong kapahaka group who lead our school in powhiri and compete successfully in regional competitions.

As well as learning a variety of instruments through the out of school music programme, students can audition to be involved in one of our performance groups which include rock bands, stage band and choir.

A cultural exchange is held with Raroa Intermediate School in Wellington, giving performance groups further opportunities to showcase their skills.

Play Opportunities

We have set out to develop our school grounds to provide maximum opportunities for positive and imaginative play, and a walk around during breaks will show almost all students actively engaged in some sort of constructive and self-directed, game, play, or activity.

Features include; installation of a challenging adventure playground, landscaping to provide a variety of environmentally different areas including a creek and rocks, allocation of a designated wheels area with ramps, unicycles, sports gear for student use, climbable trees and organised lunchtime games at regular times during the year.

Social Opportunities

Our policy of mixing students from different schools fosters new social opportunities. Classes are grouped in teams of around seven classes with a teacher (team leader) in charge of each.

This further expands opportunities for social contact at school. Many students also establish good friendships with students from other schools through sports and cultural exchanges.

Leadership Opportunities

Students are encouraged to take leadership roles within the school. These include supporting office staff, running assemblies, sports leadership and refereeing and library duties.

International Students

We are approved by the Ministry of Education to enrol international students. This is usually done in arrangement with Waimea College. The focus is on English language and future learning.  Local students gain increased understanding of other cultures and values from mixing and learning with these students.