Our Learning

Kenakena School Curriculum – How we learn

 

The national curriculum provides the framework and common direction for schools, regardless of type, size, or location. It gives schools the scope, flexibility, and authority they need to design and shape their curriculum so that teaching and learning is meaningful and beneficial to their particular communities of students. In turn, the design of each school’s curriculum should allow teachers the scope to make interpretations in response to the particular needs, interests, and talents of individuals and groups of students in their classes. For more information, visit the NZ Curriculum.

Our curriculum’s main job is to put in action the direction for student learning outlined in the New Zealand Curriculum (NZC p. 6).

Through meaningful learning contexts, develop key competencies for the future.

This mission statement provides the overview for the way we approach the education of Kenakena’s students. In essence it is that here at Kenakena School, the learning is rich, meaningful and focused on the child so that he or she can have the tools needed for a bright future. The specifics of how we do that are driven by our strategic goal to deliver a rich integrated curriculum.

Kenakena School’s Rich Integrated Curriculum empowers students through:

  • Developing skills, knowledge and abilities in reading, writing and math
  • Building motivation (including willingness and ‘can-do’ attitude).
  • Developing self-confidence as a competent learner.
  • Utilising skills and strategies for life-long learning.
  • Encouraging curiosity and open-mindedness.
  • Recognising learning and presentation preferences.
  • Encouraging student voice in the learning process.
  • Developing awareness of the world they live in.
  • Embracing and valuing collaboration and competition.
  • Active involvement in problem-solving.
  • Developing the skills required to understand information and create useful knowledge.

Kenakena School Teaching Framework

We will develop a balanced curriculum, helping students see connections between different aspects of their learning. Our planning and preparation will ensure quality learning. Student progress will be monitored to achieve quality outcomes. We will make use of a range of teaching strategies to achieve our mission of developing, through meaningful learning contexts, key competencies for the future. Our teaching will focus on developing self-motivated learners. We will provide effective classroom management to allow quality independent learning. We all need to work within the school vision, mission and values and if we do this and are supported by the home, we believe students can realise their full potential. Teachers working cooperatively and collaboratively in teaching teams, project teams and across the school will deliver a strong professional education environment. Teachers will contribute positively to the corporate life of the school.