Our Learning

Our Learning

All areas of the New Zealand Curriculum are provided for at Pekapekarau Primary School with a particular focus on Numeracy and Literacy, evidenced by particular programmes and professional development of staff.

Other key areas of the curriculum include Science, Social Studies, the arts, Te Reo and Tikanga Māori, and Health and Physical Well-Being.  Students are engaged in physical education, swimming programmes and education outside of the classroom as part of the school programme. Our Year 3 to 6 students participate in passion projects to get their creative juices flowing and we integrate Te Reo Māori into all areas of learning across the school.

 
Te Reo Māori me ōna Tikanga
 
Te Reo Māori is incorporated throughout our curriculum and is a big part of our Pekapekarau Way.  At Pekapekarau your child will learn about diversity and the language and customs of the Mana Whenua (people of this land).  
As a school, we commemorate important historic events and annual celebrations such as Matariki. Karakia, pepeha, waiata and pūrākau are a key part of our daily classroom routines. Kaiako is a part of continuous professional learning to grow their increasing knowledge of Te Ao Māori.


Structured Literacy

Structured Literacy is a research and evidence-based approach that is grounded in the Science of Reading. As a school, we partner with Learning Matters to access the iDeaL platform to ensure our teachers are well supported in embedding science into their classroom learning and teaching.

Key takeaways from the Science of Reading include:

  • Reading is not a natural process. We know that learning to read is not like how we learn to speak
  • FMRi scans have shown us what happens in the brains of skilled readers 
  • Likewise, we know what aspects we should assess and teach to students who are not progressing in reading and spelling
  • We now know that all brains learn to read in the same way and that these areas of the brain can be taught and developed
  • A structured literacy approach to learning to read and spell is necessary for all and crucial for some
  • A structured literacy approach is the most efficient teaching and learning approach for dyslexic children and those with reading difficulties
  • The teaching of spelling in a systematic and explicit way will enable students to be both capable readers and writers
  • We use decodable texts to support the acquisition of decoding skills

Education Outside the Classroom
 
We value opportunities that take our students outside the classroom to support our in-class learning. These may include opportunities such as camp for our Year 5 and 6 classes, an EOTC week for our middle syndicate where they enjoy a different activity each day over the week, and swimming lessons at the Te Awamutu Events Centre.