• SCHOOL DESCRIPTION

Our school is founded on a tradition of high expectations, collaboration, and the striving for continuous improvement.

 

 

Location and Context

The school was established in 1908 and the student roll has steadily increased over the last 16 years. The 2010 roll is expected to peak at 340.  We serve and reflect a diverse and vital community.  Tourism, Tahunanui Beach, industry and the airport are some of the local features that contribute to our unique location and special character.  We are a decile 5 school with predominately European students 82% and Maori 18%.

Physical Resources

The Tahunanui School has a Property Occupancy Agreement with the Ministry of Education for the West Tahunanui Drive site of 2.07 hectares.  Buildings include a 480 sqm multi-purpose centre, fourteen permanent classrooms, free standing library, a resource area, heated swimming pool, dental clinic and various other administrative and storage facilities.  All classrooms have air conditioning.

The grounds include seated areas, 1 large playing field, 2 adventure playgrounds, large tier-seated shade areas and landscaping which enhances both the safety and aesthetic features of the surrounds.

With respect to technology and equipment, the school has televisions, overhead and data projectors, modern video and sound equipment, tape recorders, listening posts, one piano,  two electronic keyboards, a laptop per teacher, a computer suite and at least one computer in each teaching space.  The school is fully networked by computer and telephone. There is also a range of sports and other musical equipment.

Human and Other Resources

The staffing complement for 2010 is

Principal Senior Teachers Part-time Teachers

1 2 4

Deputy Principals Full Time Teachers Special Needs Coordinator

2 14 1

The Board of Trustees also employs

Finance Manager Teacher Aides Part-time Cleaners

1 10 3

Office Manager Property Manager Librarian School Chaplain

1 1 1 1

Our staffing roll is 323.  A proportion of staffing is banked to enable a Year One class to start in term three or four.
Outside agencies used for student support include Group Special Education, Resource Teachers of Literacy, Speech Language Therapists, and Resource Teachers of Learning and Behaviour.  The Public Health Nurse, Chaplain, Police Education Service also work within the school.

We have a diverse staffing profile that includes 9 men and a mixture of teaching experience.  Our most recent E.R.O. visit was in 2009.  The report was highly affirming and positive.

We have an active Gala and Fundraising Group. Their fundraising success provides additional resources for the school.

Successive Board of Trustees and Management have collaborated successfully to govern and lead the school and have as a result established a happy, safe and vibrant place to learn and work.

back to top ››

CHARTER

Vision Statement

To be a caring, dynamic school community committed to
 life long learning. 

Mission Statement

Through high quality teaching and learning, foster confident, active and responsible citizens.

Local Goals—Objectives

• To promote life long learning
• To provide individual success in literacy and numeracy
• To foster social, physical and spiritual growth
• To enjoy and learn in the outdoors
• To continually reflect and improve

Tahunanui School values  
                                 

• Persistence and effort                      
• Confidence and resilience
• Personal organisation and responsibility
• The ability to get along with others

Strategic Goals

• To enhance student achievement in literacy and numeracy
• To establish effective collaboration with families and wider community
• To enhance high quality learning with the use of I.C.T.
• To develop the toal wellbeing of our students and our school environment

Adopted by the Board of Trustees on 10 December 2009

back to top ››

National Priorities

We prioritise literacy and numeracy by

• Delivering a daily literacy and numeracy programme
• Utilising high quality teaching practice
• Providing modern resources
• Regularly monitoring and reviewing standards

We will improve learning outcomes for Maori by

• Collaborating with parents and students to set individualised goals
• Setting high standards
• Regularly monitoring and reviewing standards
• Providing specialised intervention where appropriate
• Promoting Tikanga

 

We will promote success for all by

• Providing high quality teaching and assessment
• Providing high quality teaching and learning strategies for gifted and talented students
• Modifying programmes and having appropriate remedial intervention for students with special needs

We will make better use of student achievement information by

• Establishing valid baseline information on student achievement
• Monitoring and tracking trends
• Analysising data at class, team, syndicate and school level
• Using information to set resource, personnel, property and curriculum targets

We will improve outcomes for students at risk by

• Determining and responding to Barriers to Learning
• Collating data and establishing programmes, or making changes as appropriate
• Engaging families and outside agencies

We will provide a safe learning environment by

• Setting clear and well established behaviour expectations and standards
• Creating a positive school climate
• Maintaining a rigorous Health and Safety policy and procedures

We will report to the community by

• Regular newsletters and surveys
• Verbal and written reports to parents
• Formative and summative information to students and families
• Monthly reports to the Board from the principal and staff representative
• Publishing comprehensive information in the Annual Report published in March
• Syndicate interim and annual reports
• Publishing in Term 4 the Charter including Annual Plan, to be adopted at the December Board of Trustees meeting

back to top ››