Tō Mātou Marautanga | Our Curriculum 

He aha te Reo Matatini? | What is Literacy?

Literacy enables uri to listen, speak, read, write, view and communicate meaning with confidence and understanding.

At Te Kura o Waihārara, literacy learning supports uri to understand, create and enjoy spoken, written, visual and digital texts. Through language, they develop their ideas and voice, strengthen connections to identity and whakapapa, communicate with others and participate confidently in learning and everyday life.

He pēhea te whakaako? | How is Literacy taught?

Literacy learning includes:

• oral language and vocabulary development

• phonological and phonemic awareness, phonics and word recognition

• reading fluency, comprehension and enjoyment

• spelling, handwriting and written composition

• speaking, presenting, viewing and responding to texts

• purposeful learning connected to whānau, whakapapa, whenua and the wider world.

Uri learn to communicate for a range of purposes and audiences — to tell stories, inform, explain, describe, persuade, reflect and share their thinking.

In Akomanga Teina, learning to pānui and tuhituhi in te reo Māori is supported through Rangaranga Reo ā-Tā, alongside rich kōrero and oral-language experiences. Teaching responds to the language strengths, needs and progress of each uri.

Across the kura, literacy is taught explicitly and systematically through approaches appropriate to each learning pathway. These skills are also strengthened across the marautanga so that reading, writing, kōrero and communication have meaningful purposes within authentic learning.

He aha te Pāngarau me te Tauanga? | What are Mathematics and Statistics?

Kei hopu tōu ringa ki te aka tāepa,
engari kia mau ki te aka matua.

Pāngarau and mathematics and statistics help uri understand relationships in number, patterns, space, measurement, change, uncertainty and data. They develop the knowledge, reasoning and confidence needed to solve problems, explain thinking and make informed decisions.

At Te Kura o Waihārara, learning includes opportunities to:

• develop confidence and fluency with numbers and operations

• recognise, describe and extend patterns and relationships

• measure and compare time, distance, area, volume and other quantities

• explore shape, position and movement

• collect, display, interpret and discuss data

• investigate probability and uncertainty

• select strategies, solve problems and explain mathematical thinking.

He pēhea te whakaako? | How is it taught?

Pāngarau and mathematics are taught explicitly and systematically, building knowledge and understanding over time. Uri use practical materials, visual representations, mathematical language and symbols to make sense of new ideas and develop confidence before applying their learning independently.

Learning is also connected to authentic situations within everyday life, whānau and our local environment. The māra, whenua, wai and moana provide opportunities to measure, estimate, compare, recognise patterns, work with data and solve real problems.

Kaiako respond to the strengths, needs and progress of each ākonga, providing both support and challenge as mathematical understanding develops.

He aha te Pūtaiao? | What is Science?

Pūtaiao | Science supports ākonga to explore and understand the natural, physical and material world, and to consider how knowledge is developed, tested and used.

At Te Kura o Waihārara, pūtaiao encourages curiosity, careful observation, questioning, investigation and evidence-based thinking. Ākonga learn to notice patterns, test ideas, explain what they discover and consider how knowledge can be used responsibly.

Learning may include:

• living things, habitats and ecosystems

• the whenua, repo, wai, moana and wider environment

• materials and how they change

• forces, movement, light, sound, heat and electricity

• Earth, weather and space

• collecting, interpreting and communicating evidence

• exploring how mātauranga Māori and scientific approaches can each contribute to understanding the natural world.

Our local environment provides rich opportunities for authentic investigation. Learning may draw on the māra, Rangaunu Harbour, Waiparera, local biodiversity, conservation, weather, water and environmental change.

Through Pūtaiao, uri develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to ask questions, investigate their world and contribute as informed and responsible kaitiaki of the places and environments to which they belong.

He aha te Ao Tangata? | What are Social Sciences?

Te Ao Tangata | Social Sciences supports ākonga to understand how people, communities and societies work, how they change over time, and how people can participate thoughtfully and responsibly in the world around them.

At Te Kura o Waihārara, learning in Te Ao Tangata helps uri understand who they are, where they come from and how they belong within their whānau, hapū, iwi, local community, Aotearoa New Zealand and the wider world.

Learning may include:

• local histories, whakapapa and significant places

• Aotearoa New Zealand’s histories

• Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the relationships and responsibilities it establishes

• how people organise, govern and participate in communities

• different perspectives, cultures and experiences

• relationships between people, whenua, resources and environments

• how decisions made in the past and present can shape the future.

Ākonga are encouraged to ask questions, examine evidence, listen to and consider different perspectives, and think about how they can contribute positively to their communities.

Our learning begins with the people, places and histories closest to our kura, including Ngāi Takoto, Waihārara, Kāimaumau, Rangaunu and Te Hiku, before extending to national and global contexts.

Te Reo Māori me ōna Tikanga

Te reo Māori me ōna tikanga are central to the identity, relationships and everyday life of Te Kura o Waihārara. Te reo Māori is heard and used across the kura through karakia, mihi, waiata, kapa haka, classroom learning, daily routines and shared experiences.

Uri are supported to grow confidence and capability in listening, speaking, reading and writing in te reo Māori, with learning pathways that respond to their strengths, prior experiences and stages of language development.

Akomanga Teina follows a developing rumaki reo Māori pathway, with learning supported through rich oral language, pānui, tuhituhi and purposeful use of te reo Māori throughout the day.

Akomanga Tuakana continues to strengthen te reo Māori through explicit teaching, local contexts and meaningful use of the language across the marautanga and everyday kura life.

Learning is grounded in whakapapa, local histories, tikanga and our relationships with Ngāi Takoto, whānau, hapū and iwi. Connections to whenua, wai, moana and significant places within Waihārara, Muriwhenua and Te Hiku provide authentic contexts for language and cultural learning.

Whānau are encouraged to share information about their uri’s previous experiences with te reo Māori, including learning through kōhanga reo, bilingual or immersion settings. This helps kaiako build on existing strengths and support continued reo development.

Whānau do not need to be fluent speakers to support learning. Using simple kupu and rerenga kōrero, practising waiata, sharing pūrākau and encouraging the use of te reo Māori at home all contribute to strengthening the reo across generations.

He aha te Hauora me te Whakaako Tinana? | What is Health and Physical Education?

He oranga ngākau, he pikinga waiora.

Hauora me te Whakaako Tinana | Health and Physical Education supports uri to develop the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to care for their own wellbeing, build positive relationships and participate actively in movement and everyday life.

At Te Kura o Waihārara, learning is grounded in hauora and recognises the interconnected dimensions of:

• taha wairua — spiritual wellbeing

• taha hinengaro — mental and emotional wellbeing

• taha tinana — physical wellbeing

• taha whānau — social and relational wellbeing.

Learning may include:

• understanding emotions, identity and personal strengths

• building respectful, safe and caring relationships

• developing movement skills, fitness and physical confidence

• participating in games, sport, swimming and outdoor learning

• learning about nutrition, safety and healthy choices

• managing challenges, change and risk

• caring for the wellbeing of others, whānau and the wider environment.

Uri learn through practical, inclusive and enjoyable experiences that encourage participation, cooperation, fair play, reflection and confidence. Learning is adapted so every uri can participate meaningfully, build confidence and experience success.

Our approach recognises that wellbeing is connected to people, relationships and place. Through hauora and movement, uri learn to care for themselves, support others and contribute positively to the wellbeing of their whānau, kura and wider environment.

He aha te Hangarau? | What is Technology?

Hangarau | Technology supports uri to identify needs and opportunities, explore possible solutions, and design, create, test and improve purposeful outcomes.

At Te Kura o Waihārara, hangarau encourages creativity, practical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration and responsible decision-making. Uri consider who an outcome is for, the purpose it will serve, the resources available and how their ideas can be developed or improved.

Learning may include:

• designing, making, testing and evaluating products and solutions

• working safely with materials, tools and equipment

• food preparation, planning, budgeting and sustainability

• textiles, construction and visual communication

• exploring systems, structures and simple electronics

• computational thinking and creating digital outcomes

• understanding how technologies affect people, communities and the environment

• drawing on mātauranga Māori, local knowledge and sustainable practices.

Hangarau often connects with other areas of the marautanga and with authentic needs and opportunities within kura life. The māra, kai, environmental projects, kura events and community needs can provide meaningful contexts in which uri design, create, solve problems and put their ideas into action.

Years 7 and 8 uri also attend technology learning at Kaitaia Intermediate, where they have access to specialist teaching, environments, tools and equipment.

Te Ārahitanga o ngā Tuakana | Tuakana Leadership

Our senior uri develop leadership through Te Ara Taumata, with opportunities to grow confidence, critical thinking, resilience, responsible risk-taking and service to others.

Leadership at Te Kura o Waihārara is grounded in Rangatiratanga and tuakana–teina relationships. Uri are encouraged to lead through their actions, take responsibility, support others and contribute positively to kura life.

Leadership opportunities may include supporting younger uri, contributing to kura events and kaupapa, taking responsibility within the kura, speaking or presenting on behalf of others, and representing Te Kura o Waihārara in wider activities.

Through these experiences, our tuakana are supported to understand that leadership is not only about being in charge, but about manaakitanga, responsibility and contributing to the collective wellbeing of the kura and whānau.

He aha te Hangarau Matihiko? | What are Digital Technologies?

Hangarau Matihiko | Digital Technologies supports uri to understand, create and communicate within an increasingly digital world.

At Te Kura o Waihārara, digital tools are used purposefully when they add genuine value to learning. They complement rather than replace kōrero, writing, practical experiences, relationships and learning in our local environment.

Uri may use digital technologies to:

• research, organise and present information

• create writing, images, video, audio and digital presentations

• communicate and collaborate with others

• explore coding, computational thinking and digital systems

• access learning opportunities and expertise beyond our local area

• document and share learning with whānau

• design and create solutions to authentic problems.

Digital learning supports uri to become thoughtful creators rather than simply users or consumers of technology. They learn to question information, consider where it comes from and make informed decisions about what is reliable and appropriate to use.

Uri are taught to use digital tools safely, responsibly and respectfully. This includes protecting personal information, recognising unreliable or harmful content, communicating appropriately online and understanding their responsibilities within digital spaces.

Digital technologies are woven across the marautanga where they strengthen learning. Coding, robotics, design and digital creation may also provide opportunities for more focused learning.

At Waihārara, digital learning sits alongside movement, relationships, hands-on experiences and time in our local environment, helping uri develop the skills to navigate both digital and real-world spaces with confidence and responsibility.

He aha ngā Toi? | What are The Arts?

Te toi whakairo, ka ihiihi, ka wehiwehi, ka aweawe te ao katoa.

Ngā Toi | The Arts provide uri with ways to explore and express ideas, identity, emotions and experiences through movement, sound, performance and visual creation.

At Te Kura o Waihārara, learning in Ngā Toi may include:

• kapa haka, waiata, poi and mau rākau

• dance and creative movement

• drama, storytelling and performance

• music, rhythm and sound

• drawing, painting, sculpture, whakairo, raranga and digital art

• responding to the work of artists and performers

• creating works that reflect whakapapa, whenua, tikanga and local kōrero.

Through creating, performing, sharing and reflecting, uri develop skills, confidence and creativity. They are encouraged to experiment, take creative risks, work collaboratively and communicate ideas and meaning in different ways.

Ngā Toi provides important opportunities for mātauranga Māori, local identity and the artistic traditions of whānau, hapū and iwi to be visible and valued. It also enables uri to experience and appreciate the diverse cultural and creative traditions of Aotearoa and the wider world.

Through the arts, uri can explore who they are, celebrate where they come from and help carry kōrero, creativity and cultural expression from one generation to the next.