Nor'West News: June 28, 2016

14
Tuesday June 28 2016
WESTERN NEWS
Parents of Year 6 students are
encouraged to take a good look
at their child’s full primary school
when choosing schooling for
2017.
Why change schools when you don’t
need to? Full Primary schools are tried
and tested and have developed in
innovative and cost effective ways since
their inception in 1877. They are as
important to the provision of education
in 2017 as they were in 1877.
What makes them successful?
• They have evolved over time and have responded to the
different demographic changes since 1877.
• They are located in neighbourhoods; they cater for
families and respond to community needs.
• They are staffed by highly trained teachers who know
curriculum levels from Level 1 – 5 who have had the same
teacher training as teachers in other Year 7 and 8 school
types.
• Teachers in the student’s current full primary school
know about individual students learning progress and
learning style from Year 1 – 8.
• Developing the whole child, flexibility, nurture,
innovation and child centred learning sum up full primary
schools.
• Year 7 and 8 students are the leaders and role models
along with the adults in a full primary school with
opportunities to nurture Year 1 – 6 students.
• School organisation in a full primary school fits the needs
of students not the timetable.
• All Year 7 and 8 students are included in leadership
opportunities, sporting opportunities, school community
job opportunities, buddy responsibilities and role model
expectations. They are seen by others in the school as
the leaders and younger students look up to them.
• These opportunities and strategies to build leadership,
key competencies and resilience are available to all Year
7 and 8 students in a full primary.
Lincoln Primary
What does the research tell
us about the learning needs
of Year 7 and 8 students?
• Curriculum that is relevant, challenging,
integrative, and exploratory
• Multiple learning and teaching
approaches
• Assessment and evaluation programmes
that promote quality learning
• Organisational structures that support
meaningful relationships and learning
• Educators who value working with the
age group
• Courageous, collaborative leadership
• School-wide efforts and policies that
foster health, wellness, and safety
• Multifaceted guidance and support
services
• School-initiated family and community
partnerships
Looking at the above list it becomes clear that it isn’t school
type or school buildings that make the difference for Year
7 and 8 students. It is instead the innovative approach to
learning and the attitude of professionals toward this group of
students. This can happen in any school setting as long as the
leadership, teachers and non-teaching staff are committed
to the social and emotional development of this group of
learners. Full Primary Schools are providers of Year 7 and 8
education in every way that other types of schools are.
“Encouraging life-long learners. Expanding Horizons”
Burnham School
Westburn School
Our school offers…
§ Fun and authentic learning.
§ A family orientated environment.
Full Primary Years 1 – 8
135 Hackthorne Rd
Cashmere 8022
§ Quality teaching with high expectations.
St Joseph’s Papanui