ASSESSING INDIVIDUAL NEEDS AND ABILITIES...

    Juniors

We have developed specific procedures for observing and recording the competencies of children when they first enter school. They are assessed using aspects of the School Entry Assessment, which is the first nationally standardised assessment procedure available for teachers to use to collect information on the skills, knowledge and understanding of children entering school. SEA consists of three resources, which assess emergent literacy, use of oral language, and numeracy.   This information forms the basis for meeting your child's needs and future teaching.

On their 6th birthday, or close to it, their reading and language development is further tested. This is commonly called the Six Year Net. Between these two checkpoints teachers are constantly assessing and evaluating each child's progress.

Year 3 onwards...

In February/March each year, Progressive Achievement Tests are administered in Listening Comprehension, Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary, and Mathematics.  Year3 children do only the Listening Comprehension. The results of these tests aid teachers in planning class, as well as individual programmes.

Catering to special needs and abilities...

A variety of assessments are used, including ASSTLE, Running Records, external exams and school-wide testing.

A comprehensive special needs programme operates at all levels of the school.  In the junior area we have Reading Recovery for 6 year olds who are in need of support in reading.   Older children who have special needs have support programmes developed for them by the class teacher, coordinator of Special Needs and other external agencies as required.

Further specialists are available for speech, English as a second language, and other special needs.

We are particularly interested in developing further programmes for our Children with Special Abilities. We are focusing, in particular, on senior students and all teachers undertake professional development in this area.

Music tuition in Paino, Keyboard and Guitar is offered in school hours through private tutors here at the school.

The school also has two bands at the Year 5 – 8 level of the school.

Selected students from Year 4 to Year 8 participate in the University of NSW competitions in English, Mathematics, Computing, Writing and Science. Our more able mathematicians from Year 6-8 participate in the University of Otago problem solving and we enter teams from Year 7 and 8 in the Waikato Maths Quiz. Year 7/8 students also enter into the Waikato Science Fair.

Specialised teaching is a feature from Year 5 – 8 in Terms 2 and 3.

Environmental Education is a priority at all levels with an active Enviro agency.

Second languages are taught from Years 5 – 8 (French, Japanese, Spanish and Chinese). Maori is taught at all levels.