While numeracy and literacy learning is our main focus, we believe in educating each ākonga/student holistically and giving each child as many learning experiences as possible, in all aspects of the curriculum and their personal development.
At Tahatai Coast School, we are descendants of explorers, discoverers and innovators. We are ‘Tahatai Explorers’ who are on a learning journey that acknowledges that learning is life-long and does not move in a straight line - it is like ‘Riding the Waves of Learning’ in that we pass through ups and downs along our way.
While we work towards the tihi o te ngaru (peak of the wave) at Tahatai Coast School, there are always others to catch, ride, and try to reach the top of. While one wave rises and falls, we are continually challenged in unfamiliar places, to be the best that we can be.
These challenges can be met individually or with the help of other people paddling the waka together with us in the same direction. Our school, our whānau, community, iwi and hapū sit in a beautiful piece of land between Te Moana a Toi (Pacific Ocean) and Pāpāmoa (Pāpāmoa Hills).
Te Aihe o Tahatai guides us and represents the bringing of new knowledge and a kaitiaki (guardian) of our people.
We at Tahatai are all guardians of our environment and our people. As we move through our kura, we gain knowledge and skills that will help us, our whānau, and our communities in the future.
Toitū te marae o Tane
Toitū te marae o Tangaroa
Toitū te iwi.
Protect and strengthen land and sea and they will protect and strengthen the people.
The Tahatai Coast School Core Values were developed through a consultation process and reflect the beliefs of our students, staff, iwi/hapū and parents/whānau as well as the wider Pāpāmoa community. Everyone at Tahatai Coast School (staff, students, parents/caregivers and whānau) are expected to act in accordance with the school’s five core values. Our school values are Te Hiranga Whaiaro/Personal Excellence, Haepapa/Responsibility, Tika/Integrity, Whakaute/Respect and Te Manawanui/Perseverance.
The ‘We Live & Learn’ are the Tahatai Explorer Skills that have been developed and refined from the NZ Curriculum Key Competencies (Pages 12-13).
At Tahatai Coast School, we believe that the ‘Explorer Skills’ as outlined in the NZ Curriculum, are crucial for the development of our students’ capabilities for living and lifelong learning.
Through our curriculum, we will actively plan for, teach and assess (teacher/self), the ‘Explorer Skills’’ in a way that will allow our students to become proficient in belonging, supporting, self-managing, thinking and communicating.
Teaching and learning at Tahatai Coast School is guided by the New Zealand Curriculum (NZC). The school provides curriculum coverage in the eight learning areas of English, Mathematics, Science, Technology, Social Sciences (includes Aotearoa New Zealand Histories), The Arts, Languages and Physical Education and Health. Tahatai Coast School also currently provides specialist teaching in the Visual Arts.
There is a strong focus on reading, writing and maths in all years at Tahatai, as these important foundation skills support students as they progress through their years at school and through the curriculum levels. Children need strong reading, writing and mathematics skills to progress through the levels of the National Curriculum and be able to achieve NCEA Level 2 or above at secondary school.
For more information about the New Zealand Curriculum, please click on the link below:
Our Tahatai Localised Curriculum is the way in which we bring the New Zealand Curriculum to life in our kura. It is responsive to the needs, identities, languages, cultures, interests, strengths and aspirations of our ākonga/students and their whānau/family. It has a clear focus on what supports the progress of all our ākonga/students and helps them understand Te Tiriti o Waitangi as citizens of Aotearoa/New Zealand.
Our Tahatai Localised Curriculum is a document that is continually evolving as we work to best meet the needs of our Tahatai kaimahi/staff, ākonga/students, whānau and wider community. Our localised curriculum was written with guidance from Ngā Pōtiki and the mahi/work of our kaimahi/staff, ākonga/students and their whānau/family.
Horoipia is the name gifted to us by Ngā Pōtiki which encompasses everything that we do to transition New Entrant students into Tahatai Coast School including:
- Initial Parent Meetings
- Visits to ECE
- School Visits
- Interactive Play Opportunities
- Home & School Partnership Meetings
Horoipia was an awa/river that once flowed in Pāpāmoa. Horoi means clean/pure in English and pia means the first stage of learning. A name very fitting to our new learners that join us at Tahatai.
We view Transition as a journey for the child and their whānau over their first year of school, rather than just a transition into school.
Having strong Home and School Partnerships allows us to establish strong relationships with our families while ensuring that they feel involved and empowered to be a part of their child's learning journey.
Ready 4 Learning involves knowing a child’s level of neurodevelopment and whether their various sensory motor systems such as vision, hearing, touch, smell, balance and sense of body in space are functioning well enough to support learning. At Tahatai, we have designed a programme based on the Ready 4 Learning Framework to ensure a strong foundation for our New Entrant learners to begin their journey in Literacy and Numeracy.
Students at Tahatai Coast School are carefully guided and supported to develop and extend all aspects of literacy: their speaking (oral language), listening (receptive language), reading (decoding and comprehension), and writing (handwriting and written composition) skills.
Our approach to teaching literacy is through Structured Literacy, an evidence-based approach grounded in the Science of Reading.
Structured Literacy is a systematic and explicit approach to enabling students to become capable readers and writers. We use the iDeaL platform to support our teaching and learning.
As a parent, you may wish to learn more about this approach and the Science of Reading. If you have questions, please feel free to find further information at:
Structured Literacy is a systematic and explicit approach to enabling students to become capable readers and writers. We use the iDeaL platform to support our teaching and learning.
As a parent, you may wish to learn more about this approach and the Science of Reading. If you have questions, please feel free to find further information at:
· APM Reports – At a Loss for Words.
Ko te reo te tuakiri.
Ko te reo tōku ahurei.
Ko te reo te ora.
Language is my identity.
Language is my uniqueness.
Language is life.
At Tahatai Coast School, the approach to mathematics education is a blend of rich problem-solving techniques, strand-based learning, number knowledge, and mastery of basic facts. We utilise the Scholastic program, PR1ME Math. Each child receives their own book to practice taught math concepts.
Our curriculum emphasizes not only application of strategies and memorization of basic facts, but also deep understanding and application of mathematical concepts. Students are encouraged to explore, inquire, and collaborate, fostering a sense of curiosity and confidence in their mathematical abilities. By engaging learners in meaningful and relevant tasks, kaiako at TCS ensure that children not only succeed but also develop a genuine love for mathematics.
Through a combination of hands-on activities, real-world problems, and differentiated instruction, every child is supported in their mathematical journey, empowering them to become critical thinkers and lifelong learners in the realm of mathematics.
At TCS, we embrace a Connected Curriculum (CC) approach, designed to inspire inquiry and foster integrated learning experiences. Our curriculum weaves together diverse learning programs, enabling students to make connections and recognise interrelationships across various subject areas.
We empower students to explore, inquire, and discover. Aligned with the New Zealand Curriculum (NZC), our unique TCS Local Curriculum is tailored to nurture the strengths and aspirations of every learner. Within our Connected Curriculum framework, students engage with a comprehensive range of NZC learning areas, including Social Science & Aotearoa NZ History, Science, Technology, Health and Physical Education, The Arts, Learning Languages, English, and Mathematics and Statistics, ensuring a well-rounded educational experience that prepares them for success in an ever-evolving world.
Te Ao Māori is woven into our TCS culture, values and everyday learning. Our curriculum acknowledges the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the bicultural foundations of Aotearoa New Zealand. All ākonga have the opportunity to acquire knowledge of te reo Māori me ōna tikanga.
At Tahatai Coast School, our staff continue to develop their reo by attending Te Reo Māori PLD with Te Wheturere, to enable us to weave te reo Māori me ōna tikanga into our everyday pedagogy.
Te reo Māori me ōna tikanga are valued and promoted in our kura through teaching and learning; for example, through pōwhiri, mihi whakatau, karakia, kapa haka, pakiwaitara and harenga to local marae and historic sites. By working collaboratively at TCS, our kura are able to uplift the unique contribution Te Ao Māori makes to our education.
Toitū te kupu
Toitū te mana
Toitū te whenua
Ko te reo rangatira e kōiri atu nei.
Language is permanent
Prestige is permanent
Land is permanent
The resonating sound of the prestigious Māori Language
As we continue to adapt to the ever-changing landscape of education, we are committed to providing our students with innovative and engaging eLearning experiences. Our eLearning initiatives are designed to cater to diverse learning styles and preferences, ensuring that every student can thrive on their learning journey.
Through the use of BYOD (iPads in the first instance or Chromebook) and providing 10 school iPads per room, integrating technology into the classroom can greatly enhance the learning experience and empower students to explore new ways of creating and sharing content
At Tahatai Coast School, students in all year levels are provided with art, dance, drama and music experiences in their classroom.
We have several visual art specialist teachers, who help students to understand, interpret and create artworks using various mediums.
Extra curricular music lessons are offered by private tutors who teach keyboard, guitar, ukulele and drumming.
The focus of health and physical education
Using health related and movement concepts, the focus is on developing: confident, resilient ākonga who know, understand, and can take responsibility for themselves. They are:
- grounded, connected, critical thinkers who contribute to society
- ākonga who have a relationship with their own hauora and who can positively contribute to the hauora of others
- ākonga with a sense of social responsibility and connection to the people, communities, and environments around them.
The structure of health and physical education
The health and physical education learning area consists of the underlying concepts, key areas of learning, and strands woven together.
Learning takes place in multiple contexts including:
- play
- games
- recreation
- leisure
- adventure
- expressive movement
- exercise
- Sport
He tirohanga whānui
Health and physical education is a holistic learning area with wellbeing as its goal.
| Year Group | Sports/Whole School Events | Key Areas of Learning |
|---|---|---|
| Taught throughout a two year cycle at Tahatai Coast School | ||
0-2 | Cross Country, Athletics, Gymnastics, Soccer, Rippa Rugby, Netball, Funky Fun, Hockey | Mental health
|
3-4 | Swimming Sports (Year 4-6), Cross Country, Athletics, Gymnastics, Soccer, Rippa Rugby, Netball, Flippa Ball, Cricket, Swimming skills, Basketball, Hockey, Touch Rugby | |
5-6 | Swimming Sports, Cross Country, Athletics, Gymnastics, Soccer, Rippa Rugby, Netball, Flippa Ball, Cricket, Swimming skills, Basketball, Hockey, Touch Rugby, Dance Made NZ, TOP schools, School Camps | |
Strand A: Personal Health and Physical DevelopmentThis strand focuses on personal health and physical development, including personal identity and self-worth. Strand B: Movement Concepts and Motor SkillsThis strand focuses on personal movement skills that ākonga develop in a range of situations and environments. Strand C: Relationships With Other PeopleThis strand focuses on ākonga and their relationships with other people. Strand D: Healthy Communities and EnvironmentsLearning in this strand focuses on the interdependence of ākonga, their communities, society, and the environment. | ||
When tamariki join us here at Tahatai, they are placed into a school Whare/House and are given a Whare t-shirt. These can be worn every Friday and during Whare sport events. This is a great way to build school spirit and a real sense of community. Whare points are given in the classroom and in the playground and are based on our ‘Explorer Values.’ Whare points are also given at sporting events for participation, Whare spirit (chant, dressing up), and placing. More about Whare points.