Blog
Curriculum Update, Term 1 2025 By Emma Woolford
Te Mātaiaho | The New Zealand Curriculum Curriculum Update - Term 1, 2025 From Term 1 this year, all NZ primary schools are required to teach the refreshed Maths (Year 0-8) and English (Year 0-6 at the stage) curriculum areas. Please refer to my blog post from 6...
Curriculum Refresh By Emma Woolford
Te Mātaiaho | The New Zealand Curriculum Curriculum Refresh Updates, Term 4 2024 The New Zealand Curriculum is currently undergoing a review and refresh. The English and Mathematics and Statistics curricula have been released on 31 October and must be taught from Term...
The Importance of Learning Through Play in a School Context Written by Deb Wesley
Learning through play is a key approach in education in today's world. While most common in early childhood education, it also benefits students throughout their school years. This blog post explores the importance of learning through play in a primary school context,...
Caring, Curious and Capable in China
During the last week of term 1 and into the term break I had the wonderful opportunity to be part of an Education Delegation to China. This was organised by Hangzhou University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan and the Confucius Institute University Canterbury...
One hour a day of reading, writing and mathematics
As part of the 100-day plan, the new National Government announced the change to mandate an hour of reading, writing and maths every day. In reality, this is not very different from what your child is already experiencing at Ararira. The teaching of reading, writing...
Ararira’s Balanced Scorecard for Schools in Aotearoa
Ararira Springs' Balanced Scorecard The Springboard Trust offers a suite of fantastic professional learning for school leaders and late in 2022 we took part in the Balanced Scorecard for Schools in Aotearoa programme. This asks schools to think long-term and develop...
Beginning the Year with Clear Expectations
Expectations for Behaviour at Ararira Ararira is a wonderful place to learn and we guide our learners' behaviour with clear expectations that are linked to our values of being caring, curious and capable. These are short, sharp and memorable and might be good to refer...
School Carpark Expectations Written by Karen Andrews, Health and Safety, Ararira Board
School Carpark Expectations Behaviours we want to see: Park in designated car parks including on the road. Carparks have been designed and placed by qualified traffic engineers to optimize visibility for drivers. Always stick to the 10km/hr speed limit. Children come...
Digital Complications and Applications Written by Blair Cook
Digital Complications and Applications What is digital addiction? Digital addiction among students in New Zealand is a growing concern in the modern era, as technology and digital devices have become an integral part of daily life. While technology offers numerous...