Our school vision is:
To create a stimulating, inclusive learning environment which engages, empowers and enriches learners to prepare them for their future world.
Our learning principles are:
Engage learners through active involvement and powerful learning partnerships.
Enrich learners through personalising learning, inquiry and a wide curriculum.
Empower learners to be collaborative, critical thinkers and problem-solvers. (Learning how to learn)
Our school has two learning pathways for our students:
- Our Māori pathway, Whānau Ata, which delivers Marautanga o Aotearoa
- Our English pathway which delivers the New Zealand Curriculum
A commitment to Ako and Te Tiriti o Waitangi is reflected in our school culture.
Teaching and Learning:
Teachers scaffold learning to incorporate:
- Personalised Learning
- Project Based / Inquiry Learning
- Play-based / Investigative play
- Passion Projects
- Specialist Learning
- E-Learning/ Digital Technology
Teaching and learning supports the growth of the whole child, ensuring that every student achieves their highest possible standard.
Personalising Learning at our school places the learner at the centre of the process and is about:
- Assessment for learning
- Effective Teaching and Learning
- Curriculum Entitlement and Choice
- Strong Partnerships
- School as a Learning Organisation
- Students are empowered to be active participants in their learning.
Project Based/ Inquiry Learning:
Project based/ Inquiry learning is when students work on a project over an extended period of time that engages them in solving a real-world problem or answering a complex question. They demonstrate their knowledge and skills by developing a public product or presentation for a real audience.
- Gain coverage of curriculum areas and core skills
- Develop deep content knowledge as well as critical thinking, creativity, and communication skills in the context of doing an authentic, meaningful project.
- Are involved in collaborative and independent learning activities
Play-based / Investigative Play:
Play-based / Investigative play is an opportunity for children to learn, explore and develop through practical hands on experiences.
Children are offered a wide range of activities so that they are able to explore their individual interests. Activities each session include: carpentry, box construction, painting, dress ups, blocks, colouring activities, play dough, science experiments, craft activities and more.
Teachers working within these environments must skilfully walk a fine line between teacher-directed activities and child-directed learning.
Passion Project Learning:
“Passion Projects” help students find joy by exploring topics that intrigued them.
- Get many opportunities to integrate habits of mind, prior learning, personal interest and collaboration.
- Are engaged through collaborative partnerships
- Are empowered through partnerships with wider communities
- Are enriched through deep challenge and inquiry
E-Learning/ Digital technology:
E-Learning engages, empowers and enriches learners experiences and prepares them for their future world.
Students are also supported in their learning by:
- Specialist Music Teacher
- Learning Support Teachers
- Learning Assistants
- ESOL Teaching Team
- Kiwi Sports
Learning at Freemans Bay School will be:
Flexible – in a range of places that could support small groups, large groups or independent activities.
Holistic – the whole child and their learning needs supported. Provide for learning styles to be acknowledged and supported.
Varied – proving a range of learning opportunities where students are empowered to define where their learning is at, and activities to achieve the next learning steps.
Our curriculum encourages students to:
Be Knowledgeable: Have a solid foundation of core skills, use ICT naturally, enjoy music and the arts.
Be Thinkers: Creative, innovative, reflective, enterprising
Have a Can Do attitude: Self-motivated, initiative, striving, resilient, confident, collaborative, healthy and well balanced
Be Good: Have integrity and values, will be tolerant and embrace diversity manage impulsivity and know how to manage conflict.
Freemans Bay School/Waiatarau is …
A green oasis for play and learning
Informed by a strong Maori perspective
We’re a United Nations of students
Becoming confident, caring and respectful learners
Who are at the centre of a 21st century learning environment
Engaged in a broad curriculum using the latest teaching methods
Involving all of our community to enhance learning.