The New Zealand Curriculum forms the basis of our teaching, including study of English, health and physical education, mathematics and statistics, social sciences, science, technology, Te Reo Maori and the arts.
Fairhall School’s curriculum plan is derived from the New Zealand Curriculum document and is the school’s interpretation of this statement. The plan allows teachers to make interpretations in recognition of their students’ interests and needs.
Within the curriculum plan are eleven processes that are implemented across the school:
School vision and values | Fairhall PRIDE | Fairhall school principles | Quality school education | Shared learning experiences | Thinking strategies | Inquiry teaching | E-learning | Education outside the classroom programmes | Environmental studies | Bicultural commitment | Global citizenship
While encouraging students to strive for academic excellence we also:
– Offer an extensive calendar of education outside the classroom activities
– Run an award winning edible garden and environmental education programme
– Are strongly represented in Marlborough’s rural schools cluster
– Field a range of teams in local sports competitions
– Participate in the Marlborough Science Fair
– Cover Health Education and Keeping Ourselves Safe
– Offer Cultural Education (Including Music, Arts, Oral Language)
TECHNOLOGY
Our Year 7 & 8 students take part in the specialist technology programme, which takes place regularly at the Marlborough Technology Centre in McLauchlan Street. Parents are required to pay $55 for each student to attend the Technology Centre.
NZ CURRICULUM LEVELS
At Fairhall School we follow the NZ Curriculum Levels to assist the teaching and learning of our students. Parents will be informed of how well their child is learning at their expected learning level.
HOMEWORK
Homework is required from all students. This increases from simple recreational reading for the Juniors to more formal work with the Senior classes. The setting of homework is planned to complement the work being done in the classroom and help students through their school programme. The senior students will need a quiet area to work at home. Please support your child in their homework as they develop independent study habits.
Each student in the junior area of the school has a Reading Log. This is used for home and school communication and to record homework requirements where necessary. Teachers will use it to contact parents, or parents to contact teachers. Make sure you use it – maybe to inform us of a change in transport arrangements or reason for absence etc.
STATIONERY
Stationery lists will be provided on enrolment for new entrant students, and then sent home in the last week of Term 4 each year for you to organise for the following year. Please ensure students are ready on Day One with all the relevant requirements as well an amount required for in-school purchases relevant to your child’s learning. From time to time your child’s teacher may request additional items.
PARENT TEACHER MEETINGS
An opportunity is provided to meet informally with the class teacher at the beginning of Term 1.
Parent / Teacher interviews take place towards the end of Term 1 and early in Term 3 which parents will be able to book on line at www.schoolinterviews.co.nz.
Parent / Teacher interviews will be the format for the end of Term 1 and meetings and 3-Way Conferences (for Year 1 – 3 students) and Student – Led Conferences (for Year 4 – 8 students) will be the format for Term 3.
REPORTING
The school will report to parents twice yearly on each student’s attainment and progress with specific focus on the NZ Curriculum Learning Levels for Reading, Writing and Mathematics.
For all students written reports are sent home at the end of Term 2 & Term 4.
For students new to the school who arrive within 10 weeks of our reporting cycle an interim report will be given.
You may at any time request an interview outside our normal reporting schedule. If so please contact the class teacher via the school office to arrange a time.
QUALITY SCHOOL / QUALITY WORK
What does this mean?
At Fairhall we are a ‘Quality School’. We follow a set of standards that are expected to be consistent across the school. Our quality standards relate to school work in the classrooms and the display work that can be seen in rooms. It also relates to our behaviours and expectations that we set for ourselves with relating to people. Our quality standards are therefore closely linked to our school vision and values.
PRIDE
What does this mean?
Our school vision is: Fairhall PRIDE, which stands for our core values of:
Personal Best | Respect | Integrity | Determination | Enjoyment
At Fairhall we believe if we all strive in giving and showing these values then we are on the Pathway to Excellence.
ERO – MINISTRY OF EDUCATION REPORT
Read Fairhall’s latest ERO Report.