“What Are They Learning?” – Curriculum

In alignment with government initiatives, we have continued with the basics of reading, writing and maths as our core subjects, each for an hour a day. 

Our reading programmes now have structured literacy as their base. The programme we are trained in and are training in is BSLA (you can find out more by clicking on the link). BSLA is also our spelling programme, which supports our writing. 

Our maths follows the Refreshed Curriculum outline. We have not bought into a programme as these had not been tested at the time, and we did not have access to the resources that were on offer. We work with our Kāhui Ako on maths, and have had varying feedback from schools who have opted for a math programme. Kaiako say that it makes planning easier, but there isn't differentiation as the whole year group is expected to be exposed to the same information. As you know, every child is not the same; they don't all learn the same information at the same time, they didn't all walk at the same time as others born on the same day, and they didn't all say their first sentence at the same time either. Kaiako from other kura have also said that they find it quite constraining with the workbooks for tamariki, and they don't follow the Refreshed Curriculum. We are confident in our choice to use the Refreshed Curriculum as our guide for maths learning. 

There is information on the Parent Portal which shows the different learning for each year level. 

Other curriculum areas are taught across the year. We put out a term overview of our main focus each year, so you know what is happening. This term our focus is Science. We link this into reading, writing and maths where it fits, and also into pūrakau. This term our electives have a science focus too. 

Want to Know More?
Here’s a Ministry of Education guide showing what tamariki typically learn at each year level: Guide for the New Zealand Curriculum – Years 0–8. This is based on the Refreshed Curriculum.

If you’d like more detail about your child’s learning, please contact their kaiako — they’ll be happy to guide you.

Strategic Plan

Thank you to those of you who connected to support the development of a new strategic plan. I would like to thank you all in person, but firstly, there are too many of you, and secondly, many were anonymous. 

In the last newsletter, I shared the themes that had arisen from the feedback. There has been some more feedback since then, along similar themes. The Board will continue to work with the information we have from our stakeholders to develop a strong plan to move forward and continue to 'Build the Best Learners Waihangatia ngā Ākonga Tino Pai'. 

Learning Through Play in Years 5 & 6 — A Powerful Pathway at Lyall Bay School

At Lyall Bay School, Learning Through Play continues to thrive in Years 5 and 6, where students are empowered to explore, create, and lead their own learning journeys. This approach nurtures independence, deep thinking, and collaboration—skills that are essential for life beyond the classroom.

Through initiatives like Beach School, MindPlus, pūrakau, ... tamariki engage in meaningful, real-world learning. They are engaged in learning that reflects their passions and perspectives, building communication skills, creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and learner agency 

1. We are proud to align with the philosophy of Longworth Education, which champions play as a powerful driver of learning, well-being, and equity. Their research-informed frameworks support developmentally appropriate, culturally responsive environments where play is recognised not just as fun, but as essential 

2. Longworth’s Play-Based Learning Observation Tool (P-BLOT) helps teachers make play visible, intentional, and sustainable—even in yr 5-6 classrooms. It ensures that curriculum goals are met without compromising creativity or student voice  

3. At Lyall Bay School, play is not a break from learning—it is learning. Whether students are exploring the beach, designing digital content, or solving real-world problems, they are growing into thoughtful, capable, and joyful learners.

They still have their relaxing play breaks, where, of course, it all looks very different. 

Our Vision in Action

At the heart of everything we do is our school vision:
Waihangatia ngā Ākonga Tino Pai – Building the Best Learners.

This vision leads us into the future, we are always building on what we know, what we have learnt and what is best for our tamariki for their future. Someone said to me, 'Well, this doesn't look like when I was at school." They were so right, imagine if education was static and everything else in the world moved forward. Is your car similar to when you were a child? Is your work the same as when your parents were working? Did you have the technology that we have now? It would be disappointing to 'go back in time' to school, how can that prepare our tamariki for their future?

Here is a link to the OECD The New 'Normal' in Education this might give you more of an insight. 

Parent and Principal chat

On the first Friday of the month, there is an opportunity to come along and have a chat. We meet in the library from 8.30 - 9.15 or 2:45 - 3.30. There is no agenda; it is whatever you would like to talk about. Last time we spoke about the transition from Maranui (Yr 3-4) to Onepū (Yr 5-6). We even had a tour so whānau could see the beginning of the day in action. 

If you have something particular you would like to discuss, please email me, and I can let our community know what is coming up. If you prefer to speak in private, you are most welcome to come in and make an appointment (often I can move things and be free for you too). The next one is scheduled for Friday, 6th September, see you there. 

Fundraising for our playground

Our 'athon fundraiser is happening across August and September.  This year is a Mathathon.  This involves getting sponsors who can choose to give a donation or sponsor for each correct answer.  Tamariki will be learning basic facts appropriate to them (bonds to 5, 10, 20, or a range of times tables).  They can learn these at home as well as at school. On Tuesday, 3rd September, all tamariki will answer as many questions as they can within a timeframe.  Their kaiako will fill in their form so you know how many they got correct and they can collect their sponsorship money.  We are fundraising to improve our outdoor areas (the main request from tamariki).  More information will come home tomorrow,  20th August. 

We also have Calendar Art coming up. You can purchase Calendars for you, whānau, friends, and the proceeds add to the Friends of Lyall Bay School fundraising tally. Once again, this money will be used to upgrade the playground.