Special Opportunities

EDUCATION OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM

It is a priority that the children of our school have opportunities to explore and appreciate God’s creation and work together outside of the classroom. Some skills and values are best taught in other contexts and places.

Teachers are given every encouragement to take students on class trips that are related to the class programme. Factors such as experience of the teacher, cost, transport and risk are taken into consideration. From a New Entrant trip to Orana Wildlife Park through to a Year 12 Biology trip to Kaikoura, we value the wonderful environment around us.

Classes from Year 4 up go on class camps and a great variety of trips and activities are enjoyed by all classes such as life-saving courses, science outings or museum visits. Most winters there are ski trips organised.

SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMMES

The school works hard to provide programmes during the year for students either experiencing delay with learning or exhibiting giftedness and exceptional ability. We employ a special education coordinator who is also reading recovery trained as well as a number of teacher aides who support learning in the classroom. Over the last three years we have dedicated much resourcing to this vital area with “Successmaker” computer based learning programmes, Gifted and Talented group work and accessing of outside agencies such as the resource teachers of Literacy (RTLit) and Learning and Behaviour (RTLB) and groups such as CYRIS for High Ability students.

COMMUNITY SERVICE AND MISSION

One of the distinguishing marks of the school is its emphasis on community service as an expression of care and contribution to society. This has included in the past visits by groups of students to old folks homes, assisting the local council with beautification projects, job days and fundraising for special projects.

The school is very conscious of the special commission given to the church, not only to teach and make disciples but to go out on mission and reach others with the good news about Jesus Christ. The schools history is replete with wonderful events, trips away and support of missions of various kinds.

The school provides support for children in Africa through World Vision, a missionary working with Youth with a Mission (YWAM) in Asia and for local initiatives such as books for the pacific. The students participate in the annual 40 Hour famine and there are plans for ongoing short term mission trips in the Pacific region.

LIBRARY LEARNING CENTRE

Our library supports curriculum areas in print, electronic resources, and search tools. Library staff assist teaching staff to impart literacy and information skills to our students so that they become independent information users and life long learners. The school’s PTA raised over $20,000 for its refurbishment and book stocks in 2004/2005 and we continue to place high priority on resourcing the library area.