The curriculum at Whangarei Heads School meets the needs of all children.
We teach and learn across all learning areas, using a range of resources and take into account students interests and passions. Teachers are involved in professional development and training which further supports this.
Languages: Staff are involved in ongoing Te Reo language training and a range of formulaic language is taught across the school, as well as kapa haka and waiata. Our Year 7 & 8’s dabble in a bit of French and Spanish also.
The Arts: Our big Arts focuses revolve around the school’s art exhibition and school production.
Literacy: Reading and Writing are a key focus, with both running deeply through all learning areas; especially topic / inquiry work.
Mathematics: Learning revolves heavily around mixed ability grouping, shared problem solving tasks, and rich mathematical contexts that relate to everyday situations.
Sciences: A real strength in our school is learning around science and social sciences. We integrate science with a lot of our topic / inquiry work, with a particular focus on local issues. For example, the impact on the environment by the refinery, marine life, kauri dieback and early settlers.
Physical Education / Health: Swimming term one, winter sports term two, cross country term three, athletics term four; Life Education, Swimsafe.
The NZ Curriculum also states that the key competencies that should be underpinned across all learning areas and activities are:
- Managing Self
- Relating to Others
- Participating and Contributing
- Thinking
- Using Languages, Symbols and Texts