At Tauranga Intermediate quality learning experiences are essential. We provide an academic programme which promotes excellence, work ethics and standards. To achieve this students are taught by a team of dedicated, knowledgeable and enthusiastic teachers who deliver a balanced programme across the seven learning areas, covering the eight essential skills.
We expect your child to make progress and to perform to their potential in all academic areas.
Features of our academic programme are:
• Homeroom teachers providing core curriculum delivery.
• Bi-lingual classes
• Specialist teachers in music, art and graphics, technology, ICT (computers), and science.
• The primary focus is n Numeracy and Literacy and the integration of all other curriculum areas into this.
• Opportunity to learn a second language i.e. Maori, Japanese, French, German, Spanish and Mandarin.
• Opportunity to participate in outside testing and competitions.
• Catering for individual needs through extension and remedial classes.
• Reading tutors.
• Literacy Specialist.
• Specialist English as a Second Language teacher.
• Satellite IHC attached class.
• Two Resource teachers learning and behaviour (one Maori R.T.L.B.)
• Guidance Counsellor
• Provision for O.R.S. Funded students.
• Future Problem Solving.
• Drama – Dance
• L.E.O.T.C. (Learning experiences outside the classroom)
• Children with Special Abilities Classes in Year 7 and 8
• Booster Class (students requiring additional assistance in literacy and mathematics programmes).
• Achievement class for mathematics.
• Multimedia classes.
• Boys only class at Year 8.
ESSENTIAL LEARNING AREAS
Highlighted below are features of our essential learning areas:
LANGUAGES
When your child comes to Tauranga Intermediate we can offer them:
• Full coverage of the new English Curriculum over their two years at our school.
• Strong emphasis on the basic skills of reading, writing, spelling, grammar and punctuation.
• School wide English based competitions such as prose reading, speeches and novel study.
• School wide bases competitions include creative Story Writing, Prose and Poetry Reading, Speeches, Videos and Static Images
• The opportunity to participate in outside competitions such as Newspapers in Education, Super Quiz, Short stories, Literature Quiz, Public Speaking (English & Te Reo), Web Challenge, Science Fair, Technology Challenge, UNSW tests, Future Problem Solving
• Access to a huge range of resources.
• Expert assistance on a one to one or small group basis for reading/writing difficulties.
INTERNATIONAL LANGUAGES
These are offered to selected children.
• Year 7 may study French or German.
• Year 8 may study Japanese or Spanish.
• Mandarin offered to Year 7 & Year 8 special abilities students.
MAORI LANGUAGE
Maori language is expected to be taught in all classrooms and is encouraged by all classroom teachers. It is mandatory for students to learn and have an understanding and appreciation of Maori language and culture. There are two Maori language classes that offer Te Reo for three hours per week at level 4 immersion. Any student may opt into these classes if they so wish by filling out the section on the enrolment card.
There are three Bilingual classes – two Year 7 and one Year 8. The Year 7 classes work at level 3 immersion and the Year 8 class works at level 2 immersion.
The school also has a strong Kapa Haka Group. The Bilingual unit and others who are interested from the mainstream classes form this group.
The haka group is involved in welcoming visitors to our school throughout the year and also performs annually at the Tauranga Moana haka festivals.
LIBRARY/INFORMATION CENTRE
Tauranga Intermediate has a magnificent library (downstairs) and teachers’ resource centre and preparation area (upstairs).
The library is well resourced and a popular place for students. All classes visit the library every week and students are involved in the day to day running of the library.
The Information Keys programme is based in our Library. This programme focuses on students having access to and being able to evaluate and effectively use information from a variety of sources. It is resourced with computers to facilitate internet searches and CD Rom usage, as well as fully trained library staff to assist students with information searches.
SOCIAL SCIENCES
Rapua te ara tika mou ake.
Search for the path in life that is right for you.
At Tauranga Intermediate we aim to offer a high interest programme in Social Sciences which:
• Encourages students to recognise the importance of becoming informed, confident and responsible citizens while developing skills to enable them to do so.
• Develops and expands students’ knowledge and understanding of culture, societies and environments in N.Z. and the world.
• Provides opportunities for students to participate in independent, group and class skill based learning activities.
• Participation is encouraged in out of school activities such as the N.Z. Primary Research Project where many of our students do very well.
• Students examine current events and issues building their interest, understanding and knowledge of these.
Thanks to our local sponsors, the BOP Times Newspaper in Education pages are a valuable and integral part of our current events programme. Tauranga Intermediate is an annual successful participant in the BOP N.I.E. Super Quiz.
Social Studies teaches students about the ever changing world they live in and develops their understanding of the ways in which they can participate competently.
TECHNOLOGY
Technology is a creative, purposeful activity aimed at meeting needs and opportunities through the development of products, systems, or environments. Knowledge, skills and resources are combined to help solve practical problems. Tauranga Intermediate employs five Technology specialists. Over the two years students will cover at least six of the following seven areas;
• Electronics and Control technology
• Food technology
• Information and Communication Technology
• Materials technology
• Production and Process technology
• Structures and Mechanisms
• Biotechnology
Students are very fortunate to have a facility that has been purpose built to maximise curriculum delivery.
Both Year 7 and 8 students are working to solve real life problems following technological processes.
Children will be provided with the opportunity to participate in a variety of technological challenges both within the school, inter-school, nationally and within partnership with the business community.
MULTI MEDIA CLASSROOMS
Introduced in 2002, Multimedia now has four classrooms over both year groups. We run a fully integrated, paperless, digital programme with students working on their own personal laptops. This environment allows students to extensively enhance their learning via cutting-edge technology.
HEALTH AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION
The key element of all health and physical education lessons is the ‘Hauora’ or well being of our students. This means the lessons aim to meet the physical, mental and emotional, social and spiritual needs of these students. Health lesson topics over a two year cycle include:
• Hauora
• Making Informed Choices
• Sexuality Education
• Values – Bullying and assertiveness
• Life Education
• Goal Setting and Evaluation
Physical Education lessons often culminate in an activity to which parents are invited.
• Dance Sport: Ballroom Dancing & Social.
• Fitness Training: School Cross Country.
• Athletics: School Athletics Day.
Other skills learnt include:
• Te Ao Kori.
• Gymnastics.
• Summer and Winter ball skills.
• Sport Education
• Self Defence (Year 8 girls).
Students participate in all lessons and events and must wear their correct P.E. uniforms at all times i.e.: School T-shirt and blue shorts. Sports shoes are recommended for cross country for safety reasons
THE ARTS:
THE VISUAL ARTS
The goal of art education at Tauranga Intermediate School is to offer students a variety of experiences in art so that when they leave Year 8 they have the confidence and the ability to continue with art, either at secondary level or as a leisure activity.
All Year 7 and 8 students will participate in six specialist art classes. As part of the Friday Cultural day Year 8 students may be selected for art extension activities.
Students will be encouraged to enter national and regional art competitions.
MUSIC
All students attend music classes where they participate in music making experiences including guitar, keyboard, drums and singing. The Music Specialist delivers an up-to-date curriculum programme in a fully equipped music suite.
The focus in the Year 7 classes is to develop instrumental skills for playing in a group. The focus in the Year 8 classes is for students to compose songs in groups and record them in our Music Studio. Saxophone, clarinet, violin, flute, brass, guitar, drums, and keyboard are currently taught in an out of the school music programme.
Instruments can be hired from Auckland or Tauranga and there is a lesson fee. Students who learn an instrument are encouraged to play in the school orchestra/jazz band or rock band.
The school also has a large choir which participates in festivals and on official occasions.
DRAMA
All students attend dance/drama classes where they will have the opportunity to develop practical knowledge and ideas, performance and contextual experiences in the performing arts. Every two years the school production takes place at Baycourt. Our next production will be in 2009. A Drama/Dance suite provides a facility to enhance student’s talents.
DANCE
Teams will be entered in the Jump Jam competition and students will be offered the opportunity to participate in a range of other dance mediums and performances.
LEARNING EXPERIENCES OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM AT NGAMUWAHINE OUTDOOR EDUCATION LODGE (L.E.O.T.C.)
The school has its own Outdoor Education Centre situated in the Kaimai Mamaku Forest Park and twenty minutes from school. Recent extensions have allowed the facility to accommodate two classes if required. The building of a high and low ropes confidence course and climbing tower has provided further opportunities for students.
The Ngamuwahine Centre provides a focal point for the integration of all academic learning and essential skills into a unique outdoor experience. All Year 7 and Year 8 students will complete a minimum of a four day camp on an annual basis.
We encourage parents where possible to accompany students on their annual camp to participate with them in this unique experience. Some classes will double up depending on staff requirements and the time of the year. Costs for a week at Ngamuwahine are approximately $85.00 per student.
The Ngamuwahine Outdoor Education Lodge is available for hire at weekends and during holidays for Family Groups, Organisations or Private Functions.
For details and bookings please contact our
L.E.O.T.C. Co-ordinator:
Mr Gerry Hart,
(at School) Phone 07 578 4401
Fax 07 578 2618
or Mobile: 0274 930 020
e-mail: gerryh@tauranga-int.school.nz.
School e-mail: info@tauranga-int.school.nz
Each class will visit Waimarino during the year to learn canoeing skills. There will be a cost involved.
SPECIAL EDUCATION
Students are very fortunate to have a new Wellness Centre which is the headquarters of our Special Education Needs Department.
We have a number of facilities to provide for the special needs of students. A Special Needs Management Committee oversees this area. On this committee are our ESOL Teacher, Guidance Teacher, resource Teachers Learning and Behaviour, ORRS Teacher, a BOT Representative, the Principal of Kaka Street Special School and Deputy Principal Tauranga Intermediate.
Two Resource Teachers Learning Behaviour (R.T.L.B) are based in the school.
Facilities are provided for students with special academic, social and physical needs. Students who speak other languages and require English language support are provided with a part-time teacher.
A full time counsellor provides support for students, teachers and parents of students with social, emotional and academic needs. The Adolescent Health Nurse provides counselling and medical back-up. The Achievement Class Teacher and Kaka St Satellite Class provide programmes for the most needy in the academic areas. All special needs students, except the Kaka St Satellite Pupils, are mainstreamed.
In 2007 a Youth Mentor position was commenced to help our male students who sometimes have difficulty engaging in learning. This has been very successful.
ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE
The ESOL programme is organised to cater for Non English Speaking students and those students who require long term English support. Fundamental Goals include:
• To support all ESOL students to acclimatise into school with strong links developed between home and school.
• To teach written, reading, listening and spoken English skills.
• To develop cross-curricula skills so knowledge learned can be applied to normal class academic requirements. The ESOL Classroom is situated in the Special Needs Building and welcomes and nurtures all students with English as a second language.
FUTURE PROBLEM SOLVING PROGRAMME
Students in the CWSA programme develop their creative thinking skills within the context of the future. This successful programme is world wide and centred in the U.S.A. Outstanding teams may be invited to represent their school in the N.Z. finals. A win here leads to the world finals in the U.S.A.
These groups expand their thinking and team problem solving skills. In 2001 our New Zealand Champion team travelled to the U.S.A. where they won a world title and in 2003 a team also won a National title and represented us in America.