School Description

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

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Vision Statement Mission Statement Physical Resources Human and Other Resources Policies

Local Goals - Objectives Tahunanui School values Strategic Goals National Priorities

Location and Context

The school was established in 1908 and the student roll has steadily increased over the last 15 years.  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.   read more ››

HIGHLIGHTS FOR TERM 3 2010

Strike Percussion Group Performance - 27 July

Board of Trustee Meetings Thursday 29 July, Tuesday 24 July,

Thursday 23 Septmber

School Assembly Friday 30 July

Australasian English Exam 3 August

Beach Planting Yr4-6 4 and 5 August

Senior Production 11 and 12 August

School Assembly Friday 27 August

Keeping Ourselves Safe Programme - whole school 16 August- 3 September

Peter and the Wolf Production - Yr 1-3 attend

Interschool Netball Competition - Wednesday 18 August pp Thursday 19 August

School Speeches Monday 30 August

Broadgreen Intermediate Information evening for parents Wednesday 1 September 7pm

Science Cosmo Dome visit to school

Interschool Speech Competition Thursday 9 September

Room 10 Camp - Tuesday 7 - 10 September

Parent and Teacher Conferences 20 and 21 September

School Assembly Friday 24 Sepember

Term Dates

Term 1 - Thursday 4 February - Thursday 1 April

Term 2 - Monday 19 April - Friday 2 July - Queens Birthday Monday 7 June

Term 3 - Monday 19 July - Friday 24 September

Term 4 - Monday 11 October - Friday 17 December

Easter during holidays Good Friday 2 April, Easter Monday 5 April, Anzac Day Sunday 25 April

NATIONAL STANDARDS

Our term 4 report is in plain English!  It does state where your child is at relative to their age level.  This teacher judgement is based on test results, ongoing assessment and teacher knowledge.  We have looked more closely at the National Standards.  In my view they are too vague, not valid, not aligned with norm references tests at present and impossible for teachers to use them.  Eg  This is the standard for reading for a student at the end of year 5. "students will read, respond to, and think critically about texts in order to meet the reading demands of the New Zealand Curriculum as they work towards level 3. This is the standard for a year 6:  "student will read, respond to, and think critically about texts in order to meet the reading demands of the New Zealand Curriculum as they work at level 3."  Spot the difference!

The reason for bringing them in is flawed, and the quality of them is poor, due mostly to the haste in which they have been introduced and the total lack of involvement of the very people who has to use them!

The 'Standards' are so bad at the moment that in some cases an average or above average score in a normed reading test (stanine5-7) could mean a student is 'below' the standard!

Needless to say, for teachers to make them work will take valuable time away from teaching and planning.

This policy has not been well thought through and in the end it's our children who will be disadvantaged.  This legislation is well below the standard!

                                                                                     - Paul Drummond, Principal