Ara Teina - the youngest of our whanau

Kia ora, hello, malo e lelei, talofa lava, kia orana, fakalofa lahi atu, ni sa bula vinaka, namaste, ni hao, yeoboseyo, a salaam alaikum.

Every learning journey for a child should start on solid ground – this is represented by the terracotta in our logo.

Teachers at Arahoe School strive to recognize the strengths that each child brings when they arrive at school. At this early stage, when students start school, it’s all about building a firm foundation.

Shenita Prasad

Associate Principalshenitap@arahoe.school.nz

A nest where our youngest students begin to learn. Three educators guide and support our Teina students in this space, following the Magic Caterpillars’ Building Blocks to Literacy Framework as devised by Barbara Brann.

I am learning to...

  • manage my belongings, knowing they are safe and in the right place

  • independently follow routines including unpacking and packing of my bag

  • take care of myself and become independent

  • say goodbye to mum or dad or nana when the school day starts and take part in morning activities

  • follow simple instructions in and around school

  • explore new surroundings safely ensuring my high vis vest is on me

I am learning to...

  • concentrate and focus on a task for five or more minutes

  • understand how my body moves on play equipment including the playground

  • remember three ideas or more and follow them in order

  • know what is right from wrong, boundaries keep me safe

  • use both sides on my body together

  • be aware of myself in the space around me

I am learning to...

  • solve my own problems when I am challenged

  • bounce back when things don’t go my way

  • understand myself and my feelings

  • be empathetic toward others

  • role play, act and use imagination

  • talk, take part in discussions and share my thoughts with others

I am learning to...

  • recognise letters, sounds and numerals

  • use fine motor tools correctly

  • remember stories read and sequence the parts of the story

  • understand concepts of print

  • share my thinking, work and present ideas to the class

  • independently complete a task

Students in their first year at school


A classroom where educators support Teina students working at the beginning stages of Level 1 New Zealand Curriculum (NZC). We aspire to a teacher to pupil ratio of 1:20.

Students in their second year at school


A classroom where educators support Teina students working within Level 1 of the New Zealand Curriculum (NZC). We aspire to a teacher to pupil ratio of 1:24.