1: WELCOME TO NORSEWOOD & DISTRICTS SCHOOL

E NGA MATUA TENA KOUTOU

We encourage all parents and caregivers to become active members of our school community. Families and school working together will make educational opportunities for children beneficial, meaningful and happen.

SCHOOL MOTTO

“Making Learning Happen”

SCHOOL VISION

“Norsewood & Districts School is a positive learning environment where we foster quality behaviour, quality attitude and quality learning.”

An environment where :

• Learning time is purposeful and meaningful
• Learning happens in a wide variety of ways.
• Learning is valued
• Students are assisted and supported to be responsible for their learning.
• “Opting In” is encouraged.
• Respect of self and others is manifest

MISSION STATEMENT

“Effective teaching will foster life long enthusiastic learners.”

Underlying Philosophy

• What teachers do with children inside and outside classrooms has the biggest influence on student outcomes.
• We encourage children to be enthusiastic about all learning opportunities.

Effective Teaching will happen when teachers undertake to :

• Show a genuine interest in children
• Meet the needs of all students
• Build a positive attractive learning environment
• Show positive communication skills
• Use a range of teaching techniques
• Motivate students
• Establish high expectations
• Develop quality classroom management
• Gain an extensive knowledge of the curriculum
• Role model
• Establish student responsibility
• Acknowledge achievements and value children’s contributions
• Engage parents as assistance educators
• Receive ongoing Professional Development

Life Long Enthusiastic Learners will happen when students undertake to :

• Show quality behaviour
• Show quality attitude
• Show quality work (work habits, presentation)
• Set realistic goals
• Self motivate
•  self evaluate
• Establish positive communication skills
• Show responsibility for their own learning
• Follow the “Optinism” philosophy. “Just Do It” i.e. understanding the positive reasons for just doing it; students giving their best with confidence and security of knowing their effort is respected.
• Show respect and empathy towards others
• Be independent
• Be confident and show initiative

Type of School & Description

Norsewood & Districts School, Southern Hawke’s Bay, is a rural state co-educational, full primary school.

There is a relatively even gender mix with the majority of students New Zealand born citizens of European extraction. Maori students make up 14% of the total roll and 75% of our students travel to school by bus.

The building complex is made up of six classrooms, administration block (reception, office, staffroom, sick bay, Principal’s office, interview room, teacher preparation room and toilets), library, resource room, 3 teacher aide workrooms, an adjoining Playcentre additional buildings for storage of sports gear and ground maintenance equipment.

A swimming pool, asphalt court, two large concrete areas and two adventure playgrounds cater for children’s play. There is a good balance of grassed and hard surface areas with additional playing fields beyond the main U shaped building complex.

Parents are enthusiastically involved in numerous school activities.  We encourage this.

The school has an active, helpful and generous School Support Group.

We aim to provide as many ‘hands on’ and E.O.T.C. (Education Outside the Classroom) experiences as possible so that students receive opportunities ‘to learn by doing.’

Children with special abilities are catered for through differentiated learning programmes, set by the class teacher and other programmes made available through the Gifted & Talented lead teacher, Massey advisor or Dannevirke Gifted & Talented Group.

Scandinavian dancing forms an important part of our schools character, giving a traditional link to the early Norwegian settlers. Pupils dress in Norwegian costume and perform dances on special occasions such as Constitution Day and when requested by local groups.

Outside support services are available to the school to help children with specific learning difficulties and social behaviour needs. They include – Resource Teacher of Learning and Behaviour, G.S.E, Speech/Language Therapist, Psychologist, Public Health Nurse, Police Education Officer and Social Worker in Schools.