In He Kakano, engagement and communication are at the forefront of all learning. Our tamariki are encouraged to be as independent as possible. We have predictable routines in our class which allows our students to experience a safe environment whereby they know the expectations and can become more self-managing. 

Students will be guided in their learning to ensure curriculum goals and ILP’s are met but have opportunities to have agency within their learning by having freedom and choice to explore learning activities that interest them as individuals.  

Children learn through play: by doing, asking questions, interacting with others, using a trial-and-error approach and by making purposeful use of resources. As they engage in exploration, they begin to develop attitudes and expectations that will continue to influence their learning throughout life.

In rūma Rāta, we hold communication and engagement at the centre of all learning. We naturally weave communication throughout all aspects of our day. Whether it is exploring core words in our workboxes or staff modeling core words during play, we jump into any language opportunities throughout the day. Our goal is to help our students become self-managers. We build independence throughout the day by the use of visuals and personal timetables, empowering our ākonga to manage the aspects of their everyday lives at school.

We take an individualised / student-directed approach to learning, offering a wide range of learning experiences from structured literacy to learning through play. Our day maintains a very structured routine but within that routine students are encouraged to be independent and use student agency to direct their own exploration.

Our education outside of the classroom allows us to explore our wider community. We have various opportunities planned throughout the school year that are anchored to our ākonga’a goals and interests. 

In Kōwhai, connection is at the heart of everything we do with our Year 4-8 learners. Our strong relationships cultivate ākonga well-being and engagement for learning. We join together as a class at least three times a day for circle time. This is where we reinforce our key core words for the week, practice our interoception skills and bond over our shared love for singing songs. 

We use visual timetables to help develop self-management skills and check these regularly to establish routines. We create learning opportunities that have ākonga interests embedded into them and also expose our learners to new sensory experiences. We foster communication, character building, citizenship, collaboration, creativity and critical thinking throughout each day. We enjoy incorporating life skills into our learning such as cooking so that everything we do can be applied to the real world!

He iwi tahi tātou - we are one whānau!

Welcome to Kahikatea, where vibrant energy meets structured learning for senior students aged 13 to 18. Our bustling classroom is a dynamic space that prioritizes student independence and prepares them for future community accessibility. In Kahikatea, we delve into diverse topics, including food preparation, interoception, communication, life as a young adult, and essential physical life skills.

Our class is not just about academics; it's a nurturing environment that encourages students to explore their passions and interests. We foster personal growth by promoting critical thinking skills, guiding students in making positive choices, and instilling a deep understanding of what it means to be a responsible and engaged citizen.

At Kahikatea, we believe in empowering young men and women to shape their own destinies. Through a blend of hands-on experiences, open discussions, and personalized support, we prepare students to confidently step into the next chapter of their lives. Join us in Kahikatea, where the journey to self-discovery and responsible citizenship begins.

E Raka te maui, e raka te katau / A community can use all the skills of its people.

Waitech is our senior transition programme for young people who are in Year 13 and above or for those who have indicated that they are planning to leave school at 18 years old.

The purpose of Waitech is to provide students the opportunity to participate in internal and external work experience, community activities and develop life skills to enable them to have a purposeful and meaningful life.

Initially our young people are involved in internal work experience based on their interests. As they develop their skills they move into the Community Hub where they are involved in external work experience and community activities such as walking groups, gardening and going to the gym.

Our programmes are underpinned by the seven employability skills: 

• Positive Attitude

• Willingness to Learn

• Communication

• Thinking skills

• Teamwork

• Resilience

• Self-Management

We provide stimulating and engaging programmes such as New Zealand Certificate in Supported Living and Youth Enterprise Scheme to assist our young people to acquire the skills and confidence they need to undertake both internal and external work placements and develop a sense of belonging within the community. 

Te Tupu Harakeke is Waitaha’s junior satellite, purposefully situated at Knights Stream School (KSS) in Halswell. We welcome students ranging from Year 1 to 8, supported by a dedicated team of 3 full-time teachers, 1 part-time teacher, and 4 Learning Assistants.

The core aim of our satellite learning space is genuine inclusion into every opportunity—both within the mainstream school and out in the wider community. The satellite staff and students are viewed as an inseparable part of the Knights Stream community, involved in all aspects of school life, including social events, team building, professional learning development (PLD), and well-being activities.

Our students proudly wear the KSS uniform and fully understand that this is their school. Te Tupu Harakeke operates as another Knights Stream class, ensuring our learners are automatically included in school camps, discos, and sporting events like the cross-country and athletics. This seamless partnership is driven from the top, with regular collaboration between Mike Molloy (Principal of KSS) and Marc (Satellite Co-ordinator) to continuously find ways to include Waitaha students in every possible mainstream activity.

Learning at Te Tupu Harakeke

To ensure our students are learning right alongside their mainstream peers, we follow the KSS long-term curriculum plan. Our skilled teaching team adapts the New Zealand Curriculum to meet the unique needs and paces of our learners, while providing a strong focus on core academics through explicitly teaching literacy and mathematics. This gives our students the perfect balance of a specialised, targeted education within a vibrant mainstream environment.

Te Pā Harakeke is an open learning space located at West Rolleston School. Waitaha school has worked in collaboration with West Rolleston since its opening in 2016 to create a learning space that nurtures and supports our young learners. This Satellite can hold up to 17 students from years 1-8 who work alongside a team of specialist teachers and full time learning assistants to support them to engage in our day-to-day learning programmes. Students are given a range of opportunities at West Rolleston School to promote inclusion within mainstream experiences. This includes extended curriculum learning and whole school events. 

From Monday to Friday students participate in adaptive learning opportunities, developed specifically with each student’s needs in mind. This includes functional skills in both Literacy and Maths as well as opportunities to explore additional curriculum areas throughout the afternoon sessions.

Te Rito Harakeke is an open learning space located centrally within Rolleston College. Te Rito Harakeke is a unique space in that it fosters a close relationship with its host school, Rolleston College. Students are given every possible opportunity that we can facilitate, to emerge in mainstream experiences. This includes extended curriculum learning and whole school events. 

Our students are beginning to explore more life skills through community engagement, safety and hygiene in the kitchen and money skills. This prompts our seniors to consider life beyond school and the skills they will need to work towards the future they want. Technology underpins the majority of learning that takes place in our space. Students are encouraged to use devices to assist with communication (both verbal and written) which allows students to develop their learner agency. Throughout the day students participate in innovative learning opportunities, developed specifically with each student’s needs in mind. This includes functional skills in both Literacy and Maths as well as opportunities for creative outlets through the Arts. 

Welcome to the Community Hub of Waitaha School, located in the heart of the Rolleston community in Selwyn. Our hub supports young people aged 17 to 21 as they transition into adulthood through a range of experiences including work placements, employment opportunities, further education, life skills development, and fostering a strong sense of belonging and purpose.

Each young person has an individualised, functional programme tailored to their specific needs, supporting their growth and enabling them to become as successful and independent as possible.

With the support of two dedicated work coaches who actively seek out work and community placement opportunities for our young people, and a strong team of committed staff, the Community Hub is a vibrant, busy, growing environment where young people are empowered to thrive.