Our Curriculum

Primary (Year 1-6)

As a state integrated school we teach the national curriculum like most schools in NZ.

Our day starts off with about 30 minutes of special character teaching which can be anything from prayer, bible study, singing songs, learning memory verses, discussing how to live as people of good character.

After that we teach reading, writing (literacy) and mathematics (numeracy) before lunch. Our literacy program is developing along the lines of the Best Start Approach to Literacy as designed by Canterbury University and our teachers are constantly growing in their ability and understanding of what it is to teach children to be literate in our modern world.

After lunch, programs revolve around our theme for the term which can be anything from space to dinosaurs to time to tikanga to flight etc etc. It’s very hands on and engaging for the students. We often teach this section in line with our term value (one of integrity, diligence, kindness and respect) to focus on character development as well as learning of content.

Character development is very important to us and we see the development of positive traits such as honesty, creativity and reliability just as important as academic learning.

We use a variety of curricula to achieve learning aims for our children and assess them regularly to ensure they are progressing in their learning. The curricula we use includes the Accelerated Christian Education (ACE) curriculum which gives a seamless flow of curriculum content in a Christian context, which students can access at their own pace.

Since we are a secondary school as well as a primary school, we have access to many resources e.g. our woodwork room and science laboratory that primary schools would not normally have access to and so our primary students periodically have access to these. This is a special part of who we are as a school.

Classes are taught by registered teachers who undergo regular professional development to stay on the cusp of good teaching. Class sizes are small and allow wonderful relationships to form between families and teachers as well as excellent and individualised teaching and learning.

As a Year 1-13 school, family relationships (whanaungatanga) are important to us and the senior students are expected to (and enjoy) playing a part in the tutoring of the younger students.

Secondary (Year 7 - 13)

Our students can choose from a wide range of subjects in small classes that would be the envy of many schools. In the past we focussed on students learning from course booklet material, but now we offer subject expertise in many areas. At secondary school level we currently offer:

• English
• Mathematics
• Science (Chemistry, Biology, Physics)
• Social studies
• Wood work
• Engineering
• Food technology
• Rural studies
• French
• Careers
• History
• First responders (police, ambulance, fire etc)
• The arts (music, drama, dance, fine art etc)
• Physical Education
• Sport

We can also access learning through Accelerated Christian Education, Te Kura (the NZ correspondence school) and various aspects of digital learning.

We also have a close relationship with UCOL and other tertiary providers in Palmerston North and our senior students can choose a range of subjects through these such as construction and building, forklift driving, Microbiology and Genetics, beauty therapy, Computing, Gaming, Design, Nursing bridging Courses, Veterinary Nursing etc.

Our students can achieve NCEA (National Certificates in Educational Achievement): Level 1-3 as well as the Accelerated Christian Education certificates at Levels 1-3. Both pathways can lead to University Entrance if the student desires and students can choose the subjects and pathways that are best suited to them.

In secondary we have a big focus on careers and where the students are headed after they leave us, what strengths they have and what vocations they are best suited to.