Classes at Turitea School
There are six classes at Turitea School, catering for students from New Entrants through to Year 6.
Meagan Gooding & HAnnah Evans
Rimu - Year 0 / 1
Meagan and Hannah work collaboratively to provide a nurturing environment which supports young students as they begin their learning journeys at school. The focus is on enabling the continuous exploration of the world within a Learning Through Play approach. Curiosity and creativity, kindness and caring are fostered, and the children’s interests and wonderings are developed wherever possible. An understanding of the Growth Mindset is key, with the need to keep trying and to be a courageous learner encouraged. Introductions to the more formal aspects of learning and the embodiment of the school values are woven throughout the programme.
Anna Kane
Rātā - Year 1/2
‘Poipoia te kākano kia puawai’ – nurture the seed and it will blossom.
Just like the Rātā tree, the tamariki in our classroom are nurtured to blossom. We strive towards building positive relationships with others and creating a strong foundation that fosters their identities, languages and cultures. Our classroom encompasses a learning environment where rich learning takes place and tamariki feel safe and confident to grow, explore, take risks and challenge themselves. The tamariki in Rātā are supported in creating a love for learning through their passions, interests and wonderings.
Anneliese Nikorima
Pōhutukawa - Year 2 / 3
In Pōhutukawa we learn by doing. Play is the most important work of childhood and you will see us deep in play-based learning every day because it allows for interactions that develop essential skills like cooperation, interpersonal relationships, completion of tasks, responsibility and respect, as well as fine and gross motor skill development which when combined as part of daily classroom life allows for deeper experiences and readiness for traditional curriculum to then be absorbed with ease. You can find us swinging on monkey bars to build core muscles to help sit and focus on the mat or at a desk, and with Lego connecting the tiny blocks because it strengthens the pincer grip which is the ability to hold and use a pencil. And so, by being ready to learn (by building up these important skills) Pōhutukawa learners feel both confident and competent which equates to success both within and outside the classroom.
Trish Molloy
Mataī - Year 3 / 4
In Mataī, we strive to do our best every day. We build relationships with others, take risks and learn the importance of working together as a team. There is always something new and exciting to learn in Mataī. We learn about resilience, learn how to be a good friend and show kindness in everything that we do. Most of all we love exploring, investigating and learning about the world around us. Come check us out. It’s a great place to learn.
Cameron Schaw
Tōtara - Year 4 - 6
Kia ora and welcome to Tōtara, where we value quality, effort and fun. In our class we explore our interests, grow our curiosity, and find an enthusiasm for learning. Music, technology, and getting outside are a big part of what Tōtara tick, so there’s never a dull moment!
Karen Walker
Kahikatea - Year 4 - 6
Kahikatea is a learning community where students explore their interests and passions through an Inquiry approach to real life learning through authentic activities – wondering, asking questions, investigating, taking risks, facing challenges and developing new skills. Just like the Kahikatea tree, students learn to stand tall, developing the school’s values of whanaungatanga, mātauranga, manaakitanga and kaitiakitanga.
