The team in Ōtāwhito aim to make learning fun, purposeful, challenging and rewarding. We work collaboratively to provide the children with a wide range of activities and experiences that are targeted to their needs and interests. Our children are encouraged and supported to be self directed in their learning. Through our curriculum, we maintain a strong focus on developing the skills needed to be successful global citizens.
In Ōtāwhito we have a focus on:
Incorporating the use of IT into all aspects of the school day.
Self directed learning through workshop style programmes in literacy and numeracy.
Growth mindset and the development of Halswell School values (Whanaungatanga, Manaakitanga, Kaitiakitanga, Manawanuitanga and Kotahitanga).
Inquiry learning as a way to develop skills in questioning, exploring, investigating and presenting.
Grouping that is flexible and based on the needs of the students.
Acknowledging New Zealand’s biculturalism by integrating tikanga and Te Reo into our learning programmes and by providing regular Whānau afternoons.
BYOD
A range of competition opportunities – e.g., sports competitions at Zone and Canterbury level, Literacy Quiz, Spelling Quiz, Current Events Quiz, EPro8 Challenge, Otago Maths Problem Challenge.
Many musical opportunities – Senior Choir, Vocal Group, Jazz Band, School Production
A 3 day camp for Y5 and Y6 students, every two years
