Te Ao Māori

Aotearoa New Zealand has a proud bi-cultural history. At St Heliers School, our students participate in a range of cultural experiences relating to Tikanga, Te Reo and Te Ao Māori. We aim to uphold all of the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi.  Te Reo Māori is displayed in our classrooms and used by kaiāko (teachers) in their daily activities.

Language Weeks

New Zealand is home to many different cultures and languages.  Throughout the year, there are a number of official Language Weeks which are celebrated at schools across the country.  The countries celebrated include our Pacific Island neighbours, such as Samoa, Tonga, Niue, the Cook Islands and Fiji. There are also Māori and Chinese Language Weeks.  These Language Weeks are incorporated into our curriculum through words, songs and dance.

Second Language Programme - Mandarin

Mandarin is offered to students in Years 5 to 8. A well-qualified Mandarin Learning Assistant is employed to assist teachers in the delivery of the programme.

Students are taught to use Mandarin to communicate with one another in a variety of real-life social situations.

Confidence in speaking and comprehension goes hand in hand with an emphasis on cultural understanding of Chinese society. The interactive, student-centred lessons are supported by exciting language-teaching technology and resources; extending to students' involvement in Chinese cultural activities, where they can use their Mandarin language in genuine conversation.

Inquiry Learning - Diversity

One of the Big Ideas covered in Inquiry each year is Diversity. Inquiry Learning is guided by the investigation of concepts which are authentic, relevant, challenging, engaging and globally transferable. Inquiry Learning encourages a response resulting in a change in thinking and/or positive action, for the benefit of the learner and others.

Core Curriculum — Educating for Excellence

The school curriculum is made up of eight essential learning areas that are prescribed by the Ministry of Education.

EnglishMathematics & Statistics
Science
Technology
Social Science
Health & Physical Education
The Arts
Learning Languages

Underpinning the curriculum areas are five key competencies.

Thinking
Understanding language, symbols and texts
Relating to others
Managing self
Participating & contributing

Inquiry Learning

Inquiry Learning is a school-wide approach to learning, where many of the essential learning areas are taught through an Inquiry model.

St Heliers School Inquiry Learning enables students to become responsible, self-directed, and life-long learners, who are critical thinkers and effective problem solvers, with the ability to ask and act upon higher order questions. Our Inquiry Learning model gives the learner a focused approach through which they can search for meaning, construct understanding, build knowledge, and respond to big ideas and key concepts.

Inquiry Learning is guided by the investigation of concepts which are authentic, relevant, challenging, engaging and globally transferrable. Inquiry Learning encourages a response resulting in a change in thinking and/or positive action, for the benefit of the learner and others.

Curriculum Management

The essential learning areas have a specified allocation of teaching and learning time for all students

Student achievement is systematically monitored and barriers to learning identified.

Planning of individual classroom programmes is focused on programmes that reflect school curriculum and the New Zealand Curriculum Framework intent.

Year 7 and 8 students receive technology programmes at Selwyn College - an approved Technology Training Centre.

Intervention programmes support student learning to meet the standards set for St Heliers School.

Homework

St Heliers School has a policy of providing a small amount of homework for children on a regular basis. This promotes good work habits, learning to work independently and provides an opportunity for parents and children to share in learning experiences. In no case is this ever excessive and should always be set at an age appropriate level. If you have any questions regarding the homework set, please contact your child's teacher.