Our Structured Literacy Programme Includes:

• Phonemic Awareness: Students learn to hear, identify, and manipulate the individual sounds in spoken words, an essential foundation for reading and spelling success.
• Phonics: We teach the relationships between sounds and letters in a clear, systematic way, helping students decode (read) and encode (spell) with confidence.
• Fluency: Through repeated reading, modelling, and guided practice, students develop accuracy, expression, and reading flow, supporting comprehension.
• Vocabulary: Rich, intentional vocabulary instruction helps students understand and use a wide range of words across reading, writing, and everyday learning.
• Spelling: Students learn spelling patterns, rules, and strategies that connect directly to phonics and morphology, strengthening their writing skills.
• Writing: Explicit teaching of sentence structure, ideas, organisation, and language features helps students become capable, expressive writers.

Other Curriculum Areas

At our school, The Arts, Science, and Health & Physical Education are woven meaningfully through everyday learning. Tamariki experience these areas both within their classroom programmes and through specialist teachers who deliver rich, engaging learning in their areas of expertise.

A strong focus on our Local Narrative and school history sits at the heart of our curriculum. These stories shape who we are, guide what we value, and provide the overarching umbrella for all teaching and learning. Our children learn about the people, places, and events that make our community unique, helping them build a deep sense of identity, belonging, and pride.

The Te Rau Aroha is home to our Year 0–2 learners across five classrooms, growing to six later in the year. The name Te Rau Aroha 'the leaf of love' reflects the care, compassion and nurturing environment we provide for our youngest tamariki as they begin their learning journey at our kura. Just as the first leaf signals new growth, our syndicate represents the beginning of each child’s pathway through school.

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Starting school is an exciting milestone for tamariki and whānau, and we are committed to making this transition calm, positive, and well‑supported. Building strong relationships sits at the heart of everything we do, ensuring every child feels safe, valued, and ready to learn.

The first two years of school lay the foundations for future success.

In Te Rau Aroha, children develop essential social, emotional, cognitive, literacy, and numeracy skills. Our Year 0/1 class, Ruma Tūāpapa 'The Foundations' welcomes all new entrants and supports them to learn the routines, behaviours, and foundational skills they need before moving into our Year 1/2 classrooms.
We offer rich, purposeful play‑based learning experiences that foster curiosity, creativity, and social development. Through play, children learn to collaborate, problem‑solve, communicate, and regulate their emotions. Our teachers are present, responsive, and deeply committed to each child. Te Rau Aroha is a place where children grow roots, feel a sense of belonging, and take their first confident steps as lifelong learners.

Te Pihinga is made up of our Year 3 and 4 learners, across four classrooms. The name Te Pihinga means a small plant sprout, one that is growing, becoming more established, and strengthening over time. This meaning reflects our learners perfectly.

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Within the Te Pihinga, our children are at an important stage of growth. They are strengthening their foundational knowledge, developing greater independence, and beginning to take more ownership of their learning. Like a young sprout putting down stronger roots, our students are building confidence, forming stronger relationships with others, and developing deeper understanding of curriculum content and the world around them. Through curiosity, collaboration, and active engagement, Te Pihinga learners continue to grow, thrive, and establish themselves as capable and confident learners.

Te Māhuri is made up of our Year 5 and 6 learners, across our senior classrooms. The name Te Māhuri refers to a young tree or sapling, a stage of growth where strength, resilience, and direction are becoming more established. This meaning strongly reflects our learners at this point in their learning journey.

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Within the Te Māhuri, our students are growing in confidence, independence, and responsibility. Like a sapling that is developing a strong trunk and branches, our learners are building deeper understanding, refining their skills, and learning to think critically about the world around them. They are encouraged to take increasing ownership of their learning, work collaboratively, and show leadership within their classrooms and school community.

Through challenge, reflection, and perseverance, Te Māhuri learners continue to grow into capable, thoughtful, and confident young people.

Whakatō Te Kākano means to plant the seed.

It reflects the idea of nurturing and growing the seeds of learning, identity, language, and culture within our tamariki. Through care, guidance, and strong relationships, these seeds are planted early and supported to grow strong roots, so our tamariki can flourish with confidence in who they are and who they will become.

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Our bilingual unit is Reo Rua, operating at level 3 Te Reo Māori (31% - 50%) immersion. We use the New Zealand curriculum, weaving kaupapa Māori, te reo me ōna tikanga daily, to enhance learning and understanding. Our 3 classrooms are made up of…
Ruma 13A (years 1&2) Whaea Faith (Kaiako)
Ruma 13B (years 3&4) Matua Tim (Kaiako)
Ruma 13C (years 5&6) Whaea Holly (Kaiako)

Whare Manaaki is a cherished heart-centre within our kura, dedicated to the growth and empowerment of learners with additional needs. Our specialist teachers use Individual Education Programmes (IEPs) as a roadmap to deliver evidence-based support across four key domains:

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Communication: Building the essential skills and systems for every student to express themselves and connect with others.

Sensory Integration: Curating environments and activities that help learners process sensory information and stay balanced.

Emotional Self-Regulation: Teaching the vital strategies needed to navigate feelings, build resilience, and maintain calm.

Curriculum Goals: Adapting learning objectives to ensure that academic progress is both accessible and meaningful for every individual.