Taranaki

Structured Literacy

In Taranaki we follow a structured literacy approach to help teaching and learning of Reading, Writing, Handwriting and Spelling. Structured Literacy involves clear, methodical, and step-by-step literacy instruction at various levels, including phonemes, letter-sound associations, syllable patterns, morphemes, vocabulary, sentence structure, paragraph structure, and text structure.

In Taranaki ākonga follow structured literacy through learning specific rules to apply to both reading and spelling from 'The Ready to Read Phonics Plus Sound Cards', which is explicit teaching of morphology and syllabication. Ākonga explore a range of different texts such as novels, decodable text, classic colour wheel readers and picture books to help build their knowledge.

Check out the progress monitoring markers for year 3 

Mathematics 

Phase 1 of the NZ Mathematics Curriculum (Years 0–3) focuses on building foundational number sense and fluency up to 100+, using materials to solve problems, and introducing basic geometric/statistical concepts. Key skills include counting to 100, place value (tens and ones), basic addition/subtraction to 20, and identifying shapes. There Core Focus areas for Years 0-3 are as follows;

• Number & Algebra:

  • Counting & Ordering: Counting forwards/backwards up to 100 (and beyond by year 3) in 1s, 2s, 5s, and 10s.

  • Place Value: Understanding numbers up to 120 (e.g., recognizing 17 is 1 ten and 7 ones) and locating them on a number line.

  • Strategies: Solving addition/subtraction problems by joining/separating groups of up to 20 objects, then moving to 100+ by year 3.

  • Basic Facts: Recalling addition/subtraction facts to 10, then to 20, and multiplication/division facts for 2, 3, 5, and 10 by year 3.

  • Fractions: Using materials to understand halves and quarters.

• Measurement & Geometry: Identifying 2D shapes and 3D objects, understanding position, and using tools to measure length and time.

• Statistics: Organizing data into simple charts and talking about patterns.

Every day, your child is learning about and using maths ideas like: counting, measuring, sorting, patterns, numbers, shapes, size and 

position.

Art with Mrs Morresey

During Term 1, and 2 Taranaki have enjoyed working with Mrs Morresey creating vibrant pieces of artwork. They loved creating their "Swimming" Portraits and multi media bugs, these look absolutely amazing. Teaching art techniques to young learners fosters creativity, fine motor skills, and self-expression, while also promoting cognitive development, problem-solving, and language skills through hands-on, exploratory activities.

KAHA

During Term 1, Taranaki focused on learning our kura's KAHA Values and how we can show Hauora to others by using our manners. The tamariki also learnt that we all have responsibilities and rights as members of a community and relationships can be challenging and rewarding.

K - Ka eke toku pai - Our Best Always

A - Auaha - Creative and Innovative                                               

H - Hauora - Well being

A - Ako - Reciprocal Learning

Bullying Awareness 

During Term 1, Taranaki has been learning about Bullying. As a class,  we have been discussing what bullying is and its key characteristics.  Each week Mrs Bowden creates a Storybook for use to read about how to show kindness, be strong and ask for help. We have learnt that there are different types of bullying:

• • Physical

  • Verbal

  • Social

  • Cyberbullying

Check out our lesson with Sensi Shane 

Emotional Regulation 

In term 2 we are focusing on emotional reuglation. 

This programme builds lifelong skills in resilience, self-awareness, and emotional safety while embedding values such as manaakitanga, whanaungatanga, mauri, and rangimārie. Each lesson connects to the Whare Tapa Whā model of wellbeing, supporting tamariki to thrive emotionally, socially, and academically in a safe, caring classroom environment.

WHAT IS DISCOVERY LEARNING?

Discovery Learning develops key competencies through activity-based, child-directed learning. It is an opportunity for tamariki to direct their own learning and practice social skills within fun, hands-on activities.  In our Junior Syndicate Discovery Time sessions we have a range of activities for our students to choose between with more activities being added each week.  Our tamariki are given opportunities to engage in a variety of activities which include; arts and crafts, dress ups, play dough, block building, Lego  puzzles and much more! At times they will be working independently to develop their self-management skills and at other times they will be working with a buddy or small group to build their social and cooperative skills. During these sessions our tamariki will have the opportunity to feed forward and feedback, decide on activities and lead the discovery time sessions. 

The role of the teacher:

• drawing on curriculum knowledge to recognise the learning within play

• providing sufficient opportunities for students to engage in play

• participating in meaningful learning conversations with children that stretch their thinking  

• understanding and supporting the development of specific skills and knowledge that students need

• facilitating social interactions.

Kapa Haka 

On Fridays we are lucky to have Whaea Raewyn come in to take us through different waiata, karakia and tikanga. The tamariki are enjoying getting involved and learning abour different waiata that we then practice in class. We are apart of both the junior Kapa Haka and the whole school one as well. 

The tamariki love when Whaea Raewyn comes to visit us and are enjoying being the leaders in the junior Kapa Haka and helping the younger tamariki from Panatahi and Ngā Motu. 

Tabloids Day 2026

On Thursday 5th February our Kura had an amazing Tabloids Day. This was an amazing event and was greatly enjoyed by our tamariki and their whānau. The tamariki loved taking part in all the fun activities that were run by the Year 7 and 8 studets. We are very grateful to Mr Kevin Bennett who provided all these activities for us to use. The tamariki loved dressing up i their House Colours and absolutely loved takin part in the Tug of War. The tamariki especially enjoyed the sausage sizzle and ice block after this event. 

Term 1 Swimming

During this term, taranaki will be swimming everyday.  Our swimming sessions are in the afternoons and on Tuesday we have swimming with our Instructor at the school pool. The aim of our swimming sessions is to improve the students confidence in the water and teach them basic swimming skills. Swimming sessions are a great way to enhance the social, emotional and physical wellbeing of your child. We had our school swimming sports on the 6th of March, where tamariki showed off their skills.