Extra Learning Experiences

St Heliers School features an aquatics programme that prepares students for safe use of the local environment and develops basic swimming competencies.

Students in Years 3 and 5 are tutored by specialist swimming tutors at a local swimming pool. The parents pay for this week long programme.

Year 5 - Term 1

Year 3 - Term 4

St Heliers School is one of several local schools that form the Okahu Bay Waterwise Society.

The Waterwise group owns Optimist sailing dinghies and kayaks. Year 7 & 8 students receive instruction in sailing and kayaking. This is carried out by trained instructors and is dependent on parent support. Waterwise is also dependent on water quality and weather.

The lead teacher will be contacted before 7am the morning of, and a decision will be made by the lead Waterwise instructor as to whether the day will go ahead.

If bad weather or high winds are expected, or if the safeswim classification is red or black, the day will be canceled. All Year 7 & 8 parents will be contacted by email by the office.

Education Outside the Classroom (EOTC) is defined as all those events that occur outside the classroom, both on- and off-site, including all curriculum, sporting, and cultural activities. The school's EOTC activities support and enhance the New Zealand Curriculum.

EOTC can range from a museum or marae visit to a sports trip, an outdoor education camp, or a field trip to the rocky shore. EOTC can take place in the school grounds, in the local community, or in regions further afield.

Students learn through experiences appropriate to their needs and environment. Students need a variety of experiences for maximum development, and should be given opportunities to explore and learn from the world outside the classroom.

Taking students out of the school environment can provide them with life-changing experiences, which they will remember for the rest of their lives. It can also put them at risk and into unfamiliar situations.

Careful planning and preparation is needed to minimise risks and make the activity a positive experience for each student.

Through a generous bequest Year 8 students take part in 'The Whitley Family Essay Competition' which provides two substantial prizes to assist students with their secondary school education expenses.

Some Year 7 and 8 students take part in the University of Otago's 'Mathematics Problem Challenge'. Problem Challenge is a mathematics problem solving competition aimed at children in Years 7 and 8.

Children in seniors have the opportunity to trial for the school Mathex teams for Year 5&6 and Year 7&8. This is an event run by the Auckland Mathematical Association. Children are challenged by a range of problem solving tasks which need to be performed under timed conditions and against other schools in Auckland.

All Y5-8 children participate in a series of events: firstly within their school and then inter-school. These events are designed to promote science, engineering and problem solving.

St Heliers School through the University of Canterbury, offers the annual Kiwi English, Mathematics and Science competitions for Primary, Intermediate and Secondary schools in years 5 to 8. The Kiwi competitions are written by New Zealand teachers and closely align with the New Zealand curriculum.

The online competitions will be run in the last 3 weeks of Term 2 and the first week of Term 3 at a time suitable to the school. Results will be available in Term 3. Certificates will be provided for all participating students. In addition to the certificate, individual student reports’ outlining student performance will be available to parents/caregivers. The top student in each competition will receive a prize. If two or more students share the same top score then the prize is awarded to the student with the highest speed and accuracy.

Each year many opportunities are available for students to take part in performing arts groups, including the school choir, boys' music group, cheer squad, and jump jam - students leading other students in aerobic exercise.

School Camp A school camp is offered to Year 6 and Year 8 students every alternate even year. The camps are 'Education Outside the Classroom' programmes and seek to test communication, problem solving, self-management, social co-operation and physical skills. They are great fun and eagerly awaited by students.

Mandarin is offered to Years 1 to Year 8 students. A mandarin learning assistant is employed to assist in the delivery of the programme.

Each year, students from Years 5 & 6 and Years 7 & 8 compete to represent the school at the Rehu Tai competition held throughout the Auckland regions. Rehu Tai is a festival of oral language that runs in Term 3 of each year. There are four streams including prepared speech, spoken word, flash talk and rap. Each year participants must prepare their speech or talks around a chosen theme.

Student Leaders are Year 8 students selected in Term 1. The Principal talks to all Y8 students about roles, responsibilities and the process of becoming a SHS Student Leader. Applications are shared with students who wish to apply (Teachers may need to encourage some students).

Students’ completed applications are gathered by the team leader and handed to the Principal on the closing date. Applicants present a 30-second pitch as to why they would make an outstanding SHS Student Leader to all the Y7&8 children, SLT, Y7&8 teachers.

Student Leaders are considered the leaders of our school and must display the following:

• Being a good role model to all

• Following all SHS Values

• Mentoring other students

• Being Reliable

• Willing and able to lead with confidence

• Able to communicate well with others

• Awareness of the perspective of others

• Displaying strong teamwork

• Making decisions that benefit everyone

• Treating everyone with respect and kindness

• Encouraging others

• Displaying good manners at all times

• Showing initiative

• Self-regulating learning when out of class

Y7 and Y8 students vote for two students who they consider would make the best Student Leaders. Deliberation with SLT, Y7&8 Teachers and other selected teachers. Parents are notified and invited to our Term 1 Citizenship Assembly where our Student Leaders are announced and presented with a certificate and badge that is to be worn on their left collars. Student leaders repeat the Student Leader Pledge to the school community.

Student Leaders meet weekly with Mr Valvoi, our School Principal.

Some of the Roles for Student Leaders

• Setting up and helping with appropriate school events (School assemblies, Parent mornings and evenings, PTA functions, sports).

• Providing ideas for school events.

• Leading School Assemblies.

• Greeting and thanking special guests to our school.

• Working on solutions to any school problems that arise.

• Introducing new children and ensuring they feel welcome and comfortable.

• Sharing and acting on ideas to improve our School.

• Attend regular Student Leader Meetings.

• Assisting with fundraising.

• Showing new families around our school.

Programmes such as Shine and Bricks4kidz are offered by specialist tutors on site after the end of the school day. Other programmes are offered from time to time and further information about these can be found in the school office.