Curriculum Overview

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