We all need to care for our planet, for our own health and wellbeing, and our communities. Takaka Primary School values education for sustainability and is an active enviroschool. This is demonstrated through our commitment to ecological sustainability with a future focus, and this ties in with our school vision: “Collaborative, connected, life long learners thriving in respectful relationships”. Our vision is that all of our students interact with, and proactively care for themselves, the school, the community, and the wider environment; that they nurture and respect people, and nature throughout their lives. Our aim is that our students are environmentally responsible citizens, today and in the future.
A key component of our curriculum, systems and practices are our KIA ORA values and the enviroschools principles. Both of these support students to develop an awareness about how to care for themselves, other people and the planet. When exploring physical education and hauora, students are invited to develop self-awareness through mindfulness therapies and class hui, and to self-regulate through Zones of Regulation. In sports and physical activities, students develop fine and gross motor skills through a combination of exercises, drills, skill building and competitive games. Students participate in regular physical activity, and have access to regular swimming lessons during summer months. In experiencing the outdoors, the school curriculum has a focus on local contexts and areas of cultural significance, and as such most local trips are based around environmental activities that support students to actively care for the environment. The school has adopted Motupipi Stream and undertakes annual planting, water testing and exploration of the ecosystem to monitor stream-life and water quality. When visiting places of cultural significance, Manawhenua Ki Mohua assist with support and education about the tikanga and learning through the Te āo Māori lens.
Camps are an essential aspect of outdoor education and take place annually in a variety of locations, both local and further afield. Students are encouraged to take risks, show adaptability, build resilience and demonstrate kotahitanga by engaging in new experiences.
The Arts are explored in meaningful contexts, both school wide, in classes, and with individual interests and abilities in mind. Students have varied opportunities to explore ngā toi, including delivery of The Dance Curriculum annually, Matariki performances and other assembly items. Teachers and students plan to integrate music, performing arts, dance and visual art within their classrooms, ensuring students have opportunities to plan, create, view, interpret and respond to the arts.
Health Statement:
All students at TPS are provided with a variety of opportunities to participate in activities of a competitive nature and those necessary to maintain a fit and healthy lifestyle. At Takaka Primary School we teach the Health Curriculum in a way that enables children to develop the knowledge, skills, attitude and motivation to make informed decisions, and to act in ways that contribute to their personal wellbeing, the wellbeing of other people, and that of society as a whole. For our school and our unique environment, we give our students many opportunities to develop personal and social skills, to be safe, and to protect and care for our local whenua.
We recognise that there are risks and hazards in our school, our community and in society. We actively teach about health and safety and ensure that it is everyone's responsibility. Our students take part in our risk assessments, and help to identify and minimise or eliminate hazards.
Mental Health: Opportunities to develop skills and understanding about:Personal identity and self worth, stereotyping and discrimination, effective interpersonal relationships, keeping ourselves safe.
Sexuality Education: Opportunities to develop skills and understanding about:Interpersonal skills and attitudes to enhancing relationships.
Food and Nutrition: Opportunities to develop skills and understanding about: Nutrition for growth and development across all ages, the links between nutrition, exercise and well- being and the cultural significance of food safety.
Body Care and Physical Safety: Opportunities to develop skills and understanding about personal body care, prevention of illness, injury, infection, disease, common lifestyle disorders, identifying environmental hazards and self-responsibility.