The priorities for Waiau Pā School:

Numeracy

At our school, numeracy is a cornerstone of our curriculum, ensuring students build a strong foundation of essential mathematical skills before advancing to new concepts. We prioritize mastering core skills such as number sense, basic operations, and problem-solving strategies, creating a solid base for more complex learning. Our approach emphasizes practical, real-world applications, allowing students to see the relevance of numeracy in everyday life. From budgeting in financial literacy projects to measuring and scaling in design tasks, our students develop confidence in applying their knowledge in meaningful contexts. By fostering a deep understanding and practical engagement, we equip learners with the tools they need to thrive both in the classroom and beyond. 

English

Reading, Writing & Oral Language

At our school, we are proud to embrace a structured literacy approach, which is grounded in evidence-based practices to support all learners in developing strong foundational literacy skills. This approach focuses on explicit, systematic teaching of phonological awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension to ensure every child can become a confident reader and writer. To enhance this, we implement the Better Start Literacy Approach (BSLA), a research-backed programme tailored to meet the needs of our learners. BSLA integrates structured literacy principles with a focus on early intervention, providing targeted support that builds essential skills in reading, writing, and oral language. This cohesive and inclusive framework empowers our students, setting them up for success across all areas of their learning journey. 

Thinking Creatively

Fostering creative thinking in our teaching and learning programme is essential for preparing our students to thrive in a rapidly changing world. By encouraging curiosity, problem-solving, and innovative approaches to challenges, we create an environment where learners feel empowered to explore new ideas and take risks. Integrating opportunities for creative expression across the curriculum, from arts and writing to science and mathematics, ensures that students can develop these skills in meaningful contexts. Collaborative projects, open-ended questions, and real-world applications further enhance their ability to think critically and creatively. As educators, we play a pivotal role in modeling and valuing creativity, inspiring our students to see challenges as opportunities for innovation and growth.