Our Curriculum

Contexts for learning are carefully considered in all areas of our curriculum. Our children and community are at the centre of everything we do. Through rich, engaging experiences and programmes we will develop our Kaurilands Learner Skills and Values ensuring our children leave primary school equipped with the skills to navigate an ever changing world.

Kaurilands School sits in a unique setting, surrounded by lush bush and with a stream running through it. Teachers will plan authentic and engaging Inquiry units and experiences that provide opportunities for our children to engage with and learn in our local environment and community. They will get to know the interests and strengths of their ākonga and provide rich opportunities to explore and grow these.

Kaurilands Values

The staff at our school are committed to our core values which were formulated by our wider Kaurilands community of children, staff and whānau.

Manaakitanga - Care and respect, respect yourself, others and community;

Ako - Teach and learn together;

Kaitiakitanga - Protecting and caring for the environment;

Whanaungatanga - Building and maintaining positive relationships.

Kaurilands Learner Skills

Our Kaurilands Learner Skills encompass the skills our children need to be successful lifelong learners who are prepared for their futures in an ever changing world. As a school, we are committed to providing learning experiences which help to instil our Learner Skills in our students. These are integrated into all teaching and learning opportunities at Kaurilands School.

Kaurilands School Curriculum Overview

Opportunities to explore our strengths, interests and passions:

One fifth of our learning week is dedicated to Adventure and Discovery Time. This is an opportunity for children to explore their interests and passions. Children will have the opportunity to take part in hands-on creative tasks that sit outside of the core curriculum areas. The Kaurilands Learner Skills sit at the centre of this time.

Dig In- The children in Year 3 have the opportunity to take part in Dig In sessions. This programme includes the children taking care of our vegetable gardens, planting new seedlings and seeds, looking after them and then using the produce they grow to cook and eat tasty food! Throughout the year other year level teams will plan Dig In sessions, making use of our wharekai and gardens around our school.

Developmental Play is an important part of the Year 1 and 2 programme. It is an opportunity for our children to play, work collaboratively, problem solve, develop fundamental movement skills, practice their fine motor skills, develop social skills and foster inclusiveness. Developmental Play happens daily in the Junior School between 12:30 and 1.00pm. Throughout 2021 we will be working with a play specialist to support us in getting the most out of this time.

Magic Play Box: Children across our school have the opportunity to play, explore and collaborate with their peers while using our Magic Play Box. We have a shed full of lots of different loose parts. Children use their incredible imaginations to turn these parts into lots of wierd and wonderful creations. It is a great time to see children develop and practise their Kaurilands Learner Skills as they work collaboratively and problem solve while having fun with their peers.

Digital Curriculum

We recognise that digital technology has opened up radically new opportunities for learning. It has also rapidly changed the world that our tamariki are living in.

As such, we see it as hugely important that students have the skills and knowledge to be a digital citizen; a person who knows how to navigate digital waters and use digital technology to their advantage. Our digital curriculum helps foster digital citizenship in our tamariki.

At Kaurilands School our ākonga will learn how to explore technology to solve real life problems. They will learn to discover how technology makes our lives better while being safe and responsible when using, designing and creating technologies.

Te Ao Māori

Children hear and see Te Reo everyday, during class lessons, the Daily Tui language clips, our school values and signage in classrooms and around the school.

Te Reo is woven throughout our curriculum. Our School integrates Te Reo Māori in all curriculum areas and fosters strong Tikanga. Ākonga will build their confidence in speaking Te Reo while taking part in weekly sessions, building on their knowledge and skills each year.