Our Vision, Mission and Values
Our Vision
Ako ngātahi kia tupu tātou – Together we learn – Together we grow
Our Mission
Ākonga will be actively involved learners who are confident, creative and connected.
Nā te whaitake ka tū māia, auaha, tauhere hoki te ākonga
Our Values
Respect Manaaki
Responsibility Takohanga
Resilience Manawaroa
Relationships Piringa
Our vision, mission and values are reflected in everything we do across the school.
Our Learning Benefits
Teachers work together planning and teaching collaboratively to meet the students’ needs and we actively utilise the strengths of our teaching staff. Outside we have individual classroom lockers for children to keep their bags. We also use the decks, grassed areas, and trees to work on and around, particularly in the summer months when the weather is warmer.
Our Classrooms
Kōwhai Room – Year 1 to 3
We have 19 children from New Entrant to Year 3 in Kōwhai Room. Our space is in the classroom at the end of the new modern learning block and shared wet area.
In Kōwhai Room children have a variety of exciting learning experiences with a focus on literacy, numeracy, and play-based learning. The children are actively encouraged to explore materials and experiment by looking at patterns, reactions and focusing on communicating with each other. The children are fortunate that as their ages are diverse so can their learning be. Kōwhai room works predominantly in mixed ability groups that reflect the special Tuakana-Teina relationship between an older person (tuakana) and a younger person (teina).
Rimu Room – Year 4 to 6
There are 22 fabulous children from Year 4 to 6 in Rimu Room. Our inside learning space is in the new modern learning block and includes the library, middle classroom and shared wet area. The classroom has a variety of seating, tables and small and open spaces for children to work in, on and around. The children in Rimu have opportunities to work with increasing levels of independence and flexibility. Learners are encouraged to be self-managing and develop more independent learning strategies. The children are given greater responsibility and increasing leadership opportunities.
Groupings in the classroom are usually based on needs and change according to the focus or learning needs of the children.
Tuakana-Teina relationships
Children are encouraged to work together within their own class and between the classrooms reflecting the special Tuakana-Teina relationship between an older person (tuakana) and a younger person (teina). Opportunities to work together are evident in all we do, reflecting our school values and the family feel of the school.
Literacy
We believe that literate children are skilled and strategic speakers, listeners, writers and readers who see the relevance in literacy. We want all children at Spring Creek School to have the ability to apply literacy to future learning and everyday life.
Mathematics
We believe that mathematically and statistically confident children are able to think creatively, critically, strategically, and logically. We want all children at Spring Creek School to have the ability to apply mathematics and statistics in future learning and everyday life.
We’re fortunate to have Whaea Leigh working as a Mathematics expert within our school. This means that children receive a targeted Mathematics programme in their classroom. This covers Number and Algebra, Geometry and Measurement and Statistics as per the NZ Curriculum. We also use the Numeracy Project, Rich Learning Tasks, and Problem Solving activities to ensure a balanced and practical programme across the school.
Health & Physical Education
We provide quality teaching and learning through the Spring Creek School Health and PE Curriculum. This includes fitness and physical education programmes, in class health focuses, events and celebrations, playing games and having fun, values and utilising outside agencies (e.g. Life Education, Fundamental Skills, etc). We also try to run a Perceptual Motor Programme for our junior students.
Sport & PE
Spring Creek School has a variety of sports available for our students to participate in at different times of the year. We encourage our students to take a risk by trying new forms of Physical Activity and sports outside of school. Spring Creek School is very lucky in that our extensive grounds enable us to run a variety of practices during lunchtime.
Swimming
Students have a separate swimming programme at Stadium 2000 in Term 1. Fundamental Skills is also run each year and has a large swimming component.
eLearning
A variety of devices including laptops, tablets, iPads, Chromebooks, data projectors, digital screens, etc feature in our day to day classroom activities. e-learning is an important tool and part of our learning. It is integrated across the curriculum to enhance teaching and learning.
- Maths & Literacy Hubs These are a New Zealand learning resource for Maths and Literacy (Reading and Writing). All children across the school have access to this, and it can also be accessed from home via student school email account.
- Seesaw for Schools We are all using Seesaw in class, an app that allows families to have access to their child’s learning. Seesaw is a student-driven digital portfolio. It empowers students of any age to create, reflect, collaborate and share. Seesaw helps keep families in the loop about their child’s learning and is an easy communication tool, between school and home. Check out the access details with your child’s class teacher.
- Own Devices Students are welcome to bring their own devices from home. An agreement will need to be signed. Equity issues are addressed by devices being provided by the school.
Other learning areas
Spring Creek embraces the new modern learning environment and both classrooms regularly work together for Inquiry, Science, Te Reo and Tikanga Maori as well as learning in our Edible Gardens.
Kiwi Can
Kiwi Can is a values and life skills programme designed for primary and intermediate school students. It delivers a range of awesome physical, mental and creative challenges – plus high-energy, fun, safe and interactive lessons that reinforce the schools’ goals and curriculum. Kiwi Can is our energy-packed primary school programme. Children will participate in weekly sessions on key themes. For SCS this is on Monday, with each class having a 30-40 minute session lead by our two trained facilitators.
Discovery time
This programme runs on a Friday afternoon for the whole school. Discovery Time provides a creative, activity-based learning environment for children helping them develop key competencies through activity-based, child-directed learning.
