MANGAKAHIA AREA SCHOOL
TE KURA TAKIWA O MANGAKAHIA
Curriculum
Our vision and values underpin all aspects of learning at our school.
We are committed to keeping children engaged through rich curriculum learning programmes which add to their knowledge, and skills.
Curriculum integration enables a coherent education, allowing connections to be made within and across subjects and developing the key competencies: Thinking, Using language, symbols and texts, Managing self, Relating to others, and Participating and contributing.
More information about the New Zealand Curriculum can be found here: https://nzcurriculum.tki.org.nz/
THE KEY COMPETENCIES
The New Zealand Curriculum identifies five key competencies:
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thinking.
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using language, symbols, and texts.
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managing self.
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relating to others.
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participating and contributing.
The eight learning areas covered in the New Zealand Curriculum are:
ENGLISH (LITERACY)
Literacy skills provide the foundation on which all future education and participation in society rest.
We value literacy highly, and provide various engaging learning experiences for our students to grow their reading, writing, oral language, critical thinking, and information skills.
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MATHEMATICS&STATISTICS
Mathematics skills are equally important for future life skills, problem solving skills and many different career pathways. Our teachers engage our students to build their mathematics understanding using a variety of resources. In Senior years, maths classes are grouped in levels to ensure students are supported and extended at ther appropriate stage of their learning.
SCIENCE
To help develop our students’ understanding of the world around them, we introduce and build on knowledge of the physical, material, and natural world, as well as the world beyond Earth.
Using relevant and appropriate resources, children have the opportunity to experience the many exciting aspects of science and nature.
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SOCIAL SCIENCES
School wide Inquiry topics develop our students understanding of their place in the world, and we encourage understanding of, and appreciation for different cultures.
Social Sciences provides connections in knowledge that help students develop their views and values.
Recurring topics include: Waitangi Day, ANZAC Day, Matariki, Other Cultures, etc.
Current events such as the Olympic Games, national elections or similar offer opportunities for engaging learning.
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THE ARTS
The Arts offers a way for students to express themselves, and to share their experiences, and personality in a creative way through visual art, music, dance and drama. All classrooms spend time creating artworks using a variety of techniques which are linked to current learning. These artworks are proudly displayed throughout the school enhancing our environment.
Students in all classes have the opportunity to develop music skills, and enjoyment of music in weekly classroom sessions. Older students have the opportunity to participate in choir and orchestra groups.
HEALTH & PE
All students benefit from physical activity, both physically and emotionally. Each class has regular time-tabled PE sessions where they learn and practice a range of skills, games and sports.
Other valuable learning covers health, and personal safety. Annual school events such as cross-country, athletics, and swimming sports day offer more opportunities to participate and have fun.
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Students also have the opportunity to join teams to represent our school in inter-school competitions. These teams are coached and managed by teachers.
LEARNING LANGUAGES
We recognise te Reo as one of New Zealand’s official languages and welcome its use in our classrooms. Our students and staff are encouraged to develop their understanding, and use of te reo, and tikanga in all areas of the school.
For our students who do not have English as their home language, we offer support with a specialist ESOL teacher.
TECHNOLOGY
Technology is intervention by design. It uses intellectual and practical resources to create technological outcomes, which expand human possibilities by addressing needs and realising opportunities.
This area has been revised to strengthen the positioning of Digital Technologies in NZ schools.