Literacy at Wharepapa South School

He Whakataukī

Ko te manu e kai ana i te miro, nōna te ngahere; ko te manu e kai ana i te mātauranga, nōna te ao.

(The bird that feeds on the miro has the forest; the bird that feeds on knowledge has the world.)

What is Literacy?

Literacy is about reading, writing, speaking, listening, viewing and presenting. It gives our tamariki the tools to learn, to express themselves, and to connect with others. At Wharepapa South School, we also value a Māori lens on literacy – recognising that language is about whakapapa (our connections to people and place), ako (learning alongside each other), and whanaungatanga (building strong relationships).

Literacy in the Refreshed New Zealand Curriculum

The refreshed English Curriculum is organised into phases of learning, which describe the pathway tamariki take as they progress in reading and writing. At our school, which goes from Year 1 to Year 8, we focus on the first three phases:

• Phase 1 (Years 1–3):
  Children learn the foundational skills of literacy. This includes phonological awareness (hearing and working with sounds), letter–sound knowledge, decoding words, and beginning comprehension. Writing focuses on building simple sentences, spelling patterns, and early ideas.

• Phase 2 (Years 4–6):
  Students build fluency and confidence. They read a wider range of texts with increasing independence, expand their vocabulary, and develop stronger comprehension strategies. In writing, they begin to plan, draft, revise and publish for a range of purposes.

• Phase 3 (Years 7–8):
  Students extend their critical thinking. They read more complex texts, compare perspectives, and evaluate ideas. Writing becomes more sophisticated, with students learning to organise ideas logically, use evidence to persuade, and adapt their language for different audiences.
  
  

How We Teach Literacy at Wharepapa South School

We use the iDeaL Approach and Structured Literacy to ensure every child has a strong foundation. This means our teaching is:

• Explicit and systematic – skills are taught step by step, with plenty of practice.

• Evidence-based – we draw on the science of reading to guide our methods.

• Inclusive – all ākonga are supported, whether they need extra help or extension.

• Purposeful – literacy is always connected to real reasons for communication.
  
  

Students practise reading and writing for four key purposes:

• To entertain (stories, waiata, creative writing)

• To inform (reports, explanations, factual texts)

• To instruct (procedures, directions, instructions)

• To persuade (opinions, arguments, advertising, speeches)
  
  

Our Vision for Literacy

We want every child to leave Wharepapa South School as a confident communicator – someone who can understand the world around them and use their voice to influence it. Literacy is about more than skills; it’s about identity, belonging and connection.

Mathematics & Statistics at Wharepapa South School

He Whakataukī

Kei hopu tōu ringa ki te aka tāepa, engari kia mau ki te aka matua.
(Do not grasp the loose vine, hold fast to the main vine.)

This whakataukī reminds us to hold firmly to the important knowledge and skills that will support us throughout life. Mathematics and statistics are part of that main vine.

What is Mathematics and Statistics About?

• Mathematics is the exploration and use of patterns and relationships in quantities, space, and time.

• Statistics is the exploration and use of patterns and relationships in data.
  
  

These two disciplines are closely related but involve different ways of thinking and solving problems. Together, they give students powerful tools for investigating, interpreting, explaining, and making sense of the world.

Mathematicians and statisticians use symbols, diagrams, graphs, and models to find and communicate patterns. These models can describe both real-life and imagined situations drawn from cultural, social, scientific, technological, environmental and economic contexts.

How We Teach Numeracy at Wharepapa South School

We believe all tamariki can be successful in mathematics and statistics. At our kura, maths learning is:

• Structured and systematic – building knowledge step by step.

• Hands-on and visual – using concrete materials and representations.

• Connected to real life – exploring maths through contexts that matter to our students.

• Inclusive – ensuring every learner can make progress and feel confident.

Tools that Support Our Numeracy Programmes

• Numicon: A structured, visual programme that uses shapes, patterns and concrete resources to help children understand numbers and how they relate to each other. Numicon supports the development of strong number sense, especially in the early years.

• Oxford Maths: A programme that provides structured practice and problem-solving opportunities across all areas of mathematics. It helps students consolidate their understanding, apply strategies, and build confidence at their own level.
  
  

These programmes work alongside the Refreshed New Zealand Curriculum, which is now organised into phases of learning rather than year levels. At Wharepapa South School we focus on:

• Phase 1 (Years 1–3): Building number knowledge, learning to count, add and subtract, and exploring shapes and patterns.

• Phase 2 (Years 4–6): Strengthening strategies for multiplication and division, fractions, measurement, and interpreting data.

• Phase 3 (Years 7–8): Applying mathematical thinking to complex problems, using equations, graphs, and statistics to model real-world situations.
  
  

Our Vision for Numeracy

We want our tamariki to become curious, confident problem-solvers who can use mathematics and statistics to make sense of the world. Through structured programmes like Numicon and Oxford Maths, and through a Māori world view that values patterns and relationships, we help every learner hold fast to the aka matua — the strong vine of knowledge that will carry them forward.

Te Reo Māori and Languages at Wharepapa South School 🗣️🌿🎶

He Whakataukī

Ko te reo te mauri o te mana Māori.
(The language is the life force of Māori identity.)

At Wharepapa South School, we see language as more than communication — it is identity, belonging, and connection. Te reo Māori me ōna tikanga are an everyday part of our kura, and all tamariki are supported to use and value te reo as a taonga.

Te Reo Māori in Our Daily Life

Te reo Māori is not just a subject we teach — it is woven into the rhythm of our day. Examples include:

• Morning hui – each day starts with karakia, waiata, and pānui before tamariki split into classes.

• Eating together – kai times are shared as whānau, reflecting tikanga and the value of manaakitanga.

• Mihi whakatau – welcoming new students, whānau, and visitors with respect and tikanga.

• Karakia and waiata – used throughout the day to ground us in our language and culture.

• Everyday classroom practice – greetings, instructions, praise, and conversations in te reo Māori.
  
  

Through these practices, tamariki experience te ao Māori as a living culture, not something separate from their learning.

Learning Languages

While te reo Māori is our priority as tangata whenua, students are also encouraged to value other languages. We celebrate the diversity of languages spoken by whānau in our community, and tamariki learn that every language is a doorway to new ways of thinking.

The refreshed curriculum for Learning Languages emphasises:

• Building confidence to communicate in more than one language.

• Exploring how languages work and how they connect to culture.

• Valuing identity, culture, and global citizenship.
  
  

Phases of Learning in Te Reo Māori and Languages (Years 1–8)

• Phase 1 (Years 1–3): Beginning to listen, respond, and use simple te reo Māori words and phrases. Tamariki gain confidence through waiata, karakia, games, and greetings. 🎶🌱

• Phase 2 (Years 4–6): Using te reo Māori more independently in the classroom and everyday routines. Students grow their vocabulary, learn basic sentence structures, and explore tikanga in different contexts. 🗣️🌿

• Phase 3 (Years 7–8): Communicating with increasing confidence and understanding. Students begin to use te reo Māori to express ideas, ask questions, and participate in cultural practices like mihi and pepeha. 🌏✨
  
  

How We Teach and Live Languages

At Wharepapa South School:

• Te reo Māori me ōna tikanga are integrated across the curriculum, not taught in isolation.

• We use ako (shared learning) — teachers and students learn together.

• We value manaakitanga and whanaungatanga by welcoming and including all languages spoken in our kura.

• We celebrate cultural events such as Matariki, Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, and Māori Language Moment as kura-wide experiences.
  
  

Our Vision

We want every child at Wharepapa South School to value te reo Māori as a taonga and to leave our kura as confident communicators in both English and te reo Māori. By celebrating language and culture, we help our tamariki to grow as proud, connected, and culturally aware citizens.

Science at Wharepapa South School 🔬🌱🌏✨

He Whakataukī

Whatungarongaro te tangata toitū te whenua.
(People come and go, but the land remains.)

Science at Wharepapa South School is about exploring the natural and physical world, asking questions, testing ideas, and using evidence to explain. It is also about our role as kaitiaki (guardians) to protect the whenua, wai, and taiao for future generations.

Science in the New Zealand Curriculum

Science learning is structured around the Nature of Science strand (the unifying strand) and four contextual strands.

Nature of Science – the unifying strand 🧪

Students learn what science is, how scientists work, and how they can think and act like scientists themselves. They:

• Ask questions and plan investigations.

• Collect and interpret data.

• Use evidence to explain and justify ideas.

• Understand how science connects to society and culture.
  
  

Living World 🌿🐝

Students explore living things and how they interact with each other and their environment. At our kura this includes:

• Garden to Table – learning how plants grow, what they need, and how food systems work.

• Trees for Survival – restoring native ecosystems and protecting waterways.

• Investigating how animals, insects, and people live together on our whenua.
  
  

Planet Earth and Beyond 🌏🌌

Students study Earth’s systems, the solar system, and cycles of change. At Wharepapa South this looks like:

• Connecting science to Matariki – exploring astronomy, stars, and seasonal cycles.

• Learning about water cycles, weather patterns, and how these affect farming and local life.

• Understanding sustainability through our Enviroschool projects.
  
  

Physical World 🔦🎶⚡

Students explore physical entities such as light, sound, heat, force, and motion. Examples include:

• Investigating how sound travels through waiata and instruments.

• Exploring light and shadows when studying Matariki and the night sky.

• Hands-on experiments with ramps, pulleys, and forces.
  
  

Material World ⚗️🔥💧

Students learn about matter and its changes (chemistry). They explore:

• States of matter (solid, liquid, gas).

• Changes when cooking in our Garden to Table kitchen.

• Reactions and mixtures in everyday contexts like cleaning, preserving food, or composting.
  
  

Phases of Learning (Years 1–8)

The refreshed science curriculum is organised into phases:

• Phase 1 (Years 1–3): Tamariki explore by observing, asking questions, and noticing patterns in the world around them. 🌱🔍

• Phase 2 (Years 4–6): Students investigate more deeply, collect and compare data, and explain their findings using evidence. ⚖️📊

• Phase 3 (Years 7–8): Students design fair tests, evaluate evidence critically, and connect science to wider systems, issues, and decision-making. 🌏💡
  
  

How We Teach Science at Wharepapa South School

Our science teaching is:

• Hands-on and inquiry-based – tamariki learn through doing, testing, and exploring.

• Connected to our whenua – we use our gardens, local environment, and skies as our classroom.

• Culturally grounded – we weave in te ao Māori, including links to whakapapa, atua, and Matariki.

• Practical and purposeful – with projects like Garden to Table, Trees for Survival, and Enviroschool that connect science learning to real-world issues.
  
  

Our Vision

We want every child at Wharepapa South School to see themselves as a scientist and a kaitiaki — someone who is curious, confident, and capable of understanding and caring for the world around them.

Social Sciences & Aotearoa New Zealand Histories

He Whakataukī

He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata.
(What is the most important thing in the world? It is people, it is people, it is people.)

The Social Sciences help us understand people, places, cultures, and histories. They give tamariki the tools to explore the past, make sense of the present, and prepare for the future.

What Are the Social Sciences?

In the refreshed New Zealand Curriculum, the Social Sciences are about:

• Understanding how people interact with each other, with places, and with the environment.

• Exploring how communities organise themselves and make decisions.

• Learning how culture, identity, and values shape our lives.

• Developing the skills to participate actively as citizens in Aotearoa New Zealand and the wider world.
  
  

Through the Social Sciences, students learn to ask questions, think critically, and take action in their communities.

Aotearoa New Zealand Histories – Te Takanga o Te Wā

From 2023, the teaching of Aotearoa New Zealand’s histories is part of the Social Sciences for every kura. At Wharepapa South School, this means tamariki learn about:

• Local stories – the histories of our rohe, iwi and hapū connections, and how our local whenua has shaped community life.

• National stories – key events, people, and movements that have shaped Aotearoa, such as Te Tiriti o Waitangi, migration, and social change.

• Global connections – how New Zealand’s history links to wider world events.
  
  

We weave together te ao Māori perspectives and Pākehā perspectives so tamariki see the many stories that make up Aotearoa’s past.

Phases of Learning (Years 1–8)

The refreshed Social Sciences curriculum is organised into phases:

• Phase 1 (Years 1–3): Exploring identity, belonging, and relationships. Students learn about their own whakapapa, their whānau, school, and community. 🏡👩‍👩‍👧‍👦

• Phase 2 (Years 4–6): Investigating change and continuity. Students ask questions about how people and places have changed over time, and how decisions affect communities. 🌍⏳

• Phase 3 (Years 7–8): Thinking critically about society and history. Students examine multiple perspectives, consider fairness and justice, and connect historical events to issues today. 📜⚖️
  
  

How We Teach Social Sciences at Wharepapa South School

Our Social Sciences learning is:

• Inquiry-based – students ask questions, investigate, and share findings.

• Connected to our community – learning about local places, people, and events.

• Grounded in te ao Māori – recognising whakapapa, mana whenua, and tikanga.

• Active and participatory – encouraging students to take action in ways that make a difference.
  
  

Examples include:

• Local history walks and visits to marae.

• Studying community organisations and how they support whānau.

• Connecting Matariki to the cycles of time, history, and renewal.

• Exploring stories of migration, settlement, and cultural identity in our rohe.
  
  

Our Vision

We want every child at Wharepapa South School to understand who they are, where they come from, and how they can contribute to shaping the future. By exploring Aotearoa New Zealand Histories and the Social Sciences, our tamariki develop the skills to be informed, thoughtful, and active citizens — proud of their identity and respectful of the many stories that make up our nation.

The Arts at Wharepapa South School 🎭🎨🎶💃

He Whakataukī

Ko te toi whakairo, ka whāia te mana Māori.
Ko te toi o te kupu, ka whāia te mana o te tangata.
(The art of carving gives rise to Māori identity; the art of language gives rise to human dignity.)

The Arts help us to explore who we are, express our ideas, and connect with others. Through the arts, tamariki learn to communicate in creative ways, celebrate culture, and make sense of the world around them.

What Are the Arts?

The Arts learning area has four strands:

• Dance 💃 – exploring movement, expression, and storytelling through the body.

• Drama 🎭 – using role-play, improvisation, and performance to explore ideas and emotions.

• Music – Sound Arts 🎶 – learning rhythm, melody, and sound through singing, instruments, and composition.

• Visual Arts 🎨 – exploring ideas through drawing, painting, sculpture, digital media, and design.

The Arts are not just subjects — they are languages for expressing identity, culture, and creativity.

The Arts in Action at Wharepapa South School

At our kura, tamariki experience the arts in many different ways:

• Kapa Haka and waiata connect us to te ao Māori, whakapapa, and community.

• School productions and plays give tamariki opportunities to perform and collaborate.

• Visual art projects connect with our environment and culture — from murals to classroom art inspired by our whenua.

• Music lessons (such as piano, guitar, and singing) help students develop confidence and creativity.

• Creative integration – we often weave art into projects like science, literacy, and history (e.g., illustrating pūrākau, designing posters for Enviroschool initiatives).
  
  

Phases of Learning in The Arts (Years 1–8)

The refreshed curriculum uses phases of learning. At Wharepapa South School, these look like:

• Phase 1 (Years 1–3): Exploring and experimenting. Tamariki learn through play, trying out sounds, movements, colours, and roles. 🌱✨

• Phase 2 (Years 4–6): Developing skills and confidence. Students refine their techniques, work on group performances, and start to reflect on the meaning of their creative work. 🎶🖌️

• Phase 3 (Years 7–8): Expressing and communicating with purpose. Students design, perform, and create artworks that communicate ideas, connect to culture, and respond to social or environmental issues. 🌏🎭
  
  

How We Teach The Arts

Our approach to the arts is:

• Inclusive and expressive – everyone has the opportunity to create and perform.

• Connected to culture – celebrating Māori and Pākehā traditions, alongside the diverse identities of our tamariki.

• Practical and hands-on – encouraging students to experiment, take risks, and learn through doing.

• Integrated – linking the arts into other curriculum areas, such as literacy, history, and science.
  
  

Our Vision

We want every child at Wharepapa South School to see themselves as an artist, performer, and creator. The Arts give tamariki the confidence to express their ideas, the skills to collaborate with others, and the creativity to shape their futures.

Digital Technology at Wharepapa South School 💻🔒🌐✨

He Whakataukī

Ko te manu e kai ana i te miro, nōna te ngahere; ko te manu e kai ana i te mātauranga, nōna te ao.
(The bird that feeds on the miro has the forest; the bird that feeds on knowledge has the world.)

In today’s world, knowledge and technology open doors. Digital technologies help our tamariki to learn, create, and connect — safely and responsibly.

What is Digital Technology?

In the refreshed New Zealand Curriculum, Digital Technology is about learning how to:

• Understand how computers and systems work (computational thinking).

• Design and develop digital outcomes such as animations, websites, apps, and presentations.

• Use technology safely and responsibly in a connected world.
  
  

It’s not just about using devices — it’s about problem-solving, creativity, and critical thinking.

The Two Strands

• Computational Thinking for Digital Technologies 🧩💡
  Students learn how computers “think,” how to break down problems into steps, and how coding and algorithms can be used to solve challenges.

• Designing and Developing Digital Outcomes 🎨💻
  Students design digital products (like graphics, presentations, websites, or games) that meet a need or purpose.
  
  

Digital Technology in Action at Our Kura

At Wharepapa South School, digital technology is hands-on, creative, and purposeful:

• Using Hero to share and reflect on learning with whānau.

• Exploring online learning resources (Lexia 5, Canva, Google Classroom and Education Suite, Prodigy).

• Creating digital art, posters, and presentations to share ideas.

• Coding and problem-solving through digital learning platforms.

• Cyber safety education – learning how to be responsible digital citizens who can stay safe online.
  
  

Phases of Learning in Digital Technology (Years 1–8)

• Phase 1 (Years 1–3): Exploring and playing. Students learn basic computer skills, use simple apps, and begin to understand how technology helps us. 🖱️📱

• Phase 2 (Years 4–6): Developing and creating. Students design digital content (stories, posters, videos), explore basic coding, and practise online safety. 🎬🧑‍💻

• Phase 3 (Years 7–8): Designing with purpose. Students work more independently on digital projects, learn coding concepts, and think critically about how technology impacts people and the environment. 🌏🔒
  
  

How We Teach Digital Technology

At Wharepapa South School, we focus on:

• Digital literacy and safety – making sure students are confident and responsible online.

• Creativity – using digital tools to design and share new ideas.

• Problem-solving – learning how to code, troubleshoot, and create solutions.

• Integration – weaving digital learning through all curriculum areas (e.g., making videos for science projects or designing art digitally).
  
  

Our Vision

We want every student to leave Wharepapa South School as a confident and responsible digital citizen — someone who can use technology to learn, create, communicate, and stay safe online. Digital technologies give tamariki the tools to shape their future and contribute positively to the world.

Health & Physical Education 🏃‍♀️🌿🤝

He Whakataukī

Mauri tū, mauri ora; mauri noho, mauri mate.
(An active soul is a healthy soul; a passive soul is an unwell soul.)

Health and Physical Education is about looking after our bodies, our minds, and our relationships. At Wharepapa South School we value hauora (wellbeing) and the balance between taha tinana (physical), taha hinengaro (mental/emotional), taha whānau (social), and taha wairua (spiritual).

What is Health & PE About?

In the New Zealand Curriculum, Health and Physical Education focuses on:

• Personal well-being – learning how to look after ourselves physically, mentally, and emotionally.

• Movement and physical activity – developing skills, fitness, and confidence through games, sport, and outdoor learning.

• Relationships and interactions – learning to work with others, show respect, and build positive friendships.

• Making healthy choices – understanding nutrition, safety, and making decisions that support wellbeing.
  
  

Through Health & PE, tamariki develop the knowledge and skills to live balanced, active, and healthy lives.

The Four Strands of Health & PE

• Personal Health and Physical Development 🧍‍♂️💪
  Students learn about their bodies, growth, nutrition, and ways to stay healthy.

• Movement Concepts and Motor Skills ⚽🏀
  Students build physical skills through games, sport, dance, and outdoor activities.

• Relationships with Other People 🤝💬
  Students learn about communication, teamwork, friendship, and respect.

• Healthy Communities and Environments 🌏🌿
  Students explore how choices and actions affect the wellbeing of our school, community, and environment.
  
  

Health & PE in Action at Wharepapa South School

• Daily movement and physical activity – fitness, games, and outdoor play.

• Eastern Zone Sports – opportunities to compete and collaborate with neighbouring schools in swimming, cross country, athletics, touch rugby, and winter sports.

• Outdoor education – including rock climbing, abseiling, and camps.

• Enviroschool projects – connecting health with sustainability and caring for our environment.

• Wellbeing learning – exploring kindness, resilience, and managing emotions.

• Whānau involvement – encouraging healthy eating and balanced lifestyles at home and school.
  
  

Phases of Learning in Health & PE (Years 1–8)

• Phase 1 (Years 1–3): Learning to participate. Tamariki build basic movement skills, explore their feelings, and learn how to look after themselves. 🏃‍♂️😊

• Phase 2 (Years 4–6): Developing skills and understanding. Students take part in more structured games and sports, learn teamwork, and begin to make healthy choices for themselves. ⚽🍎

• Phase 3 (Years 7–8): Taking responsibility. Students refine their skills, lead and coach others, consider fairness and ethics in sport, and explore how wellbeing connects to wider social and environmental issues. 🌏🤝
  
  

How We Teach Health & PE

At Wharepapa South School, we:

• Encourage participation and fun – every child is included and supported to give things a go.

• Value hauora – a balanced approach to physical, mental, social, and spiritual wellbeing.

• Foster teamwork and respect – teaching tamariki to support, include, and uplift others.

• Connect to our whenua and community – using the outdoors, local sports groups, and community events as part of our programme.
  
  

Our Vision

We want every child to leave Wharepapa South School as a confident, active learner who values hauora and enjoys movement. Health and PE are about more than sport — they are about building the resilience, skills, and attitudes that help our tamariki to thrive in all areas of life.

Classrooms

Our classrooms are connected with double doors that are often opened up to combine learning experiences and provide tuakana taina opportunities for our students.  We cater to students from Y0-8 by switching between a collaborative space for morning hui, singing and assemblies, and closing the double doors to split into more targeted learning for the students. 

We provide a variety of furniture options and spaces for our students so they are able to learn in an environment that best suits their individual needs.  Our children are able to work within small mixed ability, mixed age groups.  We work on the premise of stage not age.

Our teaching and learning philosophy is to celebrate individual and collective success.

Multi Purpose Room 

This is a fantastic space that is used for a variety of activities including assemblies, science experiments and music lessons.   

It also includes an impressive kitchen for students to prepare, cook, and eat kai grown from our mara kai (vegetable garden) as part of the Garden to Table program.  

Library 

For a small school we have a fantastic library that we share with our community.  Anyone from the community is welcome to come and borrow books that have been donated from local families.

We have a great music space set up in our library where students are able to try their hand at piano, ukulele and a range of other instruments.  We are very lucky to be able to offer 1-1 piano lessons to our students on a weekly basis!

Preschoolers are welcome to visit, enrol and borrow books. 

We have an excellent range of picture books to help spark a love for literacy.  There is also a playgroup held in the library every Wednesday from 10:30 - 12:30.  You can check out their Facebook Page HERE or just pop down for a visit to meet Aleisha (Playgroup Coordinator) and the other playgroup parents.

Outdoor Spaces

At Wharepapa South School we are incredibly fortunate to enjoy wide open spaces that encourage play, exploration, and adventure.

Our sealed court is a hub of activity, perfect for basketball, rollerblading, and skateboarding. During the warmer months, our swimming pool is open and well-loved by students.

The large sandpit is always popular — complete with rocks, plenty of space, and water hoses to inspire creative play. Our bike track is another favourite, with small jumps and berms to challenge riders. A range of high-quality bikes and helmets are provided so everyone can get involved safely.

We have two playgrounds: one designed especially for our younger tamariki as they build confidence and physical skills, and another for our senior students. The senior playground is currently being redesigned by the students themselves, ensuring it will continue to challenge and inspire while remaining welcoming for the whole community, including visiting campers.

Alongside the playgrounds, our grounds feature a zipline, wide open fields, native trees, and natural rock features — the perfect setting for outdoor adventures, imaginative play, and simply relaxing with friends.

Online Learning | Ako Tukutuku

At Wharepapa South School we know that learning doesn’t just happen in the classroom – it can happen anywhere. When tamariki are learning online, it’s important that they have fun, stay safe, and continue to grow their skills across different learning areas. Below are some trusted resources we recommend for whānau.

Staying Safe Online | Haumarutanga Ipurangi

Before jumping into online learning, please remember:

• Supervision is key – tamariki should not be left unsupervised online.

• Set clear boundaries – talk with your child about which sites are okay, and how long they can spend online.

• Use child-friendly platforms (like YouTube Kids instead of YouTube).

• Talk openly – if something online makes your child feel uncomfortable, encourage them to tell you straight away.

• Keep devices in shared spaces – like the lounge or kitchen, not bedrooms.

• Model good habits – tamariki learn from how we use our devices too.

💡 Netsafe Aotearoa has excellent advice for whānau about cyber safety: www.netsafe.org.nz

General Learning Resources

• Twinkl – Packed with resources across all learning areas. They have opened up free access for parents.
  
  

Te Reo Māori

• Te Reo Singalong at Home – Daily videos from Sharon Holt, one of our favourite authors.

• Kōrero Māori at Home – Try using simple phrases with your tamariki:

  • Kei te pēhea koe? (How are you?)

  • Haere mai ki te kai. (Come and eat.)

  • Āta noho. (Sit down carefully.)
    
    

Literacy | Pānui

• Reading Eggs – 30-day free trial, interactive reading activities.

• Epic – A free site where parents can sign up for thousands of books.

• Sunshine Online – Great for juniors, with books, letters and word activities. (Free 14-day trial, full access coming soon).

• Ready to Read – The same books we use in class. Some will be familiar to your child. (Thanks to Dyer Street School for this list!).
  
  

Maths | Pāngarau

• Prodigy Game – A fun maths adventure game.

• Free Maths Packs – Downloadable packs by year level:

  • Year 1

  • Year 2
    
    

TVNZ OnDemand (via Heihei)

Safe and kid-friendly shows:

• Kiri & Lou – Gentle 5-minute videos with music and values.

• Goodnight Kiwi – Celebrities (including Jacinda Ardern!) reading NZ picture books.

• Horrible Histories – Funny but accurate history stories.

• Junk Rescue – Creativity with recycling.

• Kitchen Science – Dr Michelle Dickinson (Nanogirl) shows fun home science experiments.

• Speak Māori for Kids – Practice reo in fun ways.
  
  

YouTube (with Supervision)

⚠️ Remember: YouTube must always be supervised. Use YouTube Kids if possible.

• Cosmic Kids Yoga – Yoga and mindfulness activities.

• Storyline Online – Celebrities reading picture books aloud.

• Go Noodle! – Movement and songs tamariki will recognise from school.
  
  

Mindfulness & Wellbeing | Hauora

Learning online can be busy. Balance is important:

• Try mindfulness playlists like For Our Children

• Encourage your child to spend time outside, play sport, or help in the garden.

• Use te reo Māori calming prompts:

  • Whakarongo ki te rangi – Listen to the sky.

  • Ngā manawa o te rākau – Breathe like a tree.
    
    

✨ Most importantly – learning at home should be enjoyable. Mix online activities with reading together, playing outside, cooking, or talking about the world around you. In our busy lives, ko te mea nui – your time is the greatest gift you can give your tamaiti.

Home Learning at Wharepapa South

At Wharepapa South School, we believe the very best thing you can do for your child’s learning is to spend time with them. You are their first teacher, and the everyday moments you share together make a huge difference.

Home learning doesn’t always have to look like traditional homework — it can be found in the conversations, games, and experiences you create together. Some simple but powerful ways to support your child’s learning at home include:

• Playing cards or board games

• Getting outside for ball games or active play

• Watching and discussing the news, or reading the paper together

• Sharing stories, both fiction and non-fiction, and talking about what you’ve read

• Cooking, sewing, or making things together

• Visiting different places in the community

• Most importantly, talking and listening to your child — in our busy world, your time and attention are the greatest gifts you can give them.
  
  

Homework 

Homework is designed to support what your child is learning at school. Its main purpose is to practise skills already taught, or to gather information for class. Homework may include spelling, reading, or basic facts. Click on the below links to see what else you could be doing to support your child with their learning.

Looking Ahead

Our goal is to equip children with the confidence and skills to access their school learning anywhere, anytime. With the support of digital tools, we encourage students to become independent learners and researchers — preparing them for a future where learning doesn’t stop at the classroom door.