Learning at Tawhiti...
Literacy and Numeracy
Our goal is for all children leaving Tawhiti to be literate and numerate and we place a high priority on our reading, writing and maths programmes. Because all children develop at different rates, requiring personalised programmes, we have a large number of learning assistants who work across the school supporting children with their learning.
All learners have reading, writing and maths progressions. These progressions enable learners to work alongside their teachers and whanau to select goals, reflect, monitor their progress, and determine their next learning steps.
E-Learning also plays a large role in the day to day teaching and learning programmes happening in classrooms. All classrooms are equipped with ipads and apple TV's.
Wellbeing
We believe in growing good people, people with the right attitude!
At Tawhiti we have a holistic start to each day (using Te Whare tapa wha model) as wellbeing and connecting positively with one another is essential for success and helps create a whanau like atmosphere within our kura.
These sessions are approximately 30 minutes, starting with the schoolwide karakia and waiata then moving onto wellbeing. During this time social and emotional skills that relate to our school values are explored and explicitly taught.
Education Outside the Classroom
Education outside the classroom is very much to the fore at Tawhiti School. The school year starts with a ‘rolling camp’ at Lake Rotorangi (Patea Dam) where children stay overnight in tents. The activities they experience include waterskiing, kayaking, abseiling, archery and rafting. The ‘rolling camp’ is in place so that the children and their new teacher can get to know one another and develop a positive relationship, setting the scene for a successful year.
All year groups from Year 0 to Year 5 experience a camp at the end of the year while our Year 6 children head out mid-year to hit the slopes on Mt Ruapehu.
The 'Arts'
The Arts are a huge part of what makes Tawhiti unique! Every year we do a production at Hawera's Community Theatre. This involves each child participating in acting, dancing and singing within a class item. It is a must see! The arts are also included in our inquiry based STEAM learning.
Kapa Haka and Choir
We have a very passionate kapa haka group, a junior choir and a senior choir. These groups perform regularly within our school and local community.
Our Handbook
Further information about the way our school operates is outlined in our school handbook below.
