About Kaikoura Suburban School
The dynamic school that provides a rich learning environment to develop children with vision, a good work ethic and skills to further their achievements.
Our school is a Year 1 – 6 community based school in a picturesque rural environment.
Our School Vision….
Fyffe Force Learners commit to climb the mountain of learning for life.
Values
Our VALUES which stem from our vision and the New Zealand Curriculum Key Competencies (Managing Self, Relating to Others, Participating and Contributing, Thinking and Using Language, Symbols and Text) are as follows:
Fun – every student needs to experience fun in everything they do to nurture and maximise their learning,
Organisation – every student needs to be organised with their thinking, setting goals, reflecting on their learning and having the necessary tools for day-to-day learning.
Respect – every student needs to respect their own learning, their peers learning and show respect for their property and environment.
Communication – every student needs to be able to communicate in many ways using a variety of tools.
Excellence – every students has the right to excel in all areas of the curriculum.
These values link to the acronym Fyffe FORCE learners.
Inquiry Learning
We choose to teach our Kaikoura Suburban School curriculum, that orginates from the New Zealand Curriculum, through Inquiry.
Our inquiry journey starts with a 5 week programme immersing and exciting our learners with many different activities linking to the inquiry unit.
The following 5 weeks learning is created from the children’s ‘wonderings’ (the questions and the learning they would like to pursue to enhance their knowledge and learning).
For example our last inquiry was ‘Physical activity in the Kaikoura district.’ The immersion involved whole school bike trip, surfing, boogie boarding, kayaking, orienteering and tramping. The activities that we believe are important for our students to be immersed in.
From this the children have decided to hold a Go Kart derby. The children are then asked to choose from a selection of activities: construction, sales, marketing and inventing.
To read the blogs and follow the activities click on this link to view.
Each 10 week inquiry unit is recognised with a learning celebration. This is an evening celebration where the venue changes depending on the theme of the celebration. See event calendar and school newsletters for further information.
What we offer your child…
- We believe it is our core responsibility to encourage students to achieve to their highest potential – academically and socially.
- As well as offering a strong literacy and numeracy programme we focus on Te Reo Maori, health & physical activity, social sciences, science, the arts and environmental education.
- We encourage creativity across the curriculum.
- We have a strong outdoor education curriculum – sports coaching, school camps and outings.
- 1:3 ratio of Apple Mac computers to learner, high speed wireless internet network.
- School van transport service.
- We have a zero tolerance to bullying. It is every child’s right to learn in a safe environment.
- We have a strong partnership with the community.
- An enthusiastic and dedicated Home & School committee.
- Read our 2011 ERO Report here.
Our BOT Team – 2010 – 2013
- Principal: Michelle Spencer
- Chairperson: Jo Fissenden
- Board Members: Tonya Patchett, Owen Haring, Jenny Armstrong & Jo Tulley
- Staff Representative: Christine Chambers
