School stories
These stories have been made by students and teachers. They provide examples of ideas and approaches some schools are using to reshape their curricula. Over the coming months, more stories will be added to this area. Each example includes a brief movie clip and some background information.
Story 1: Developing a vision for Red Beach School
During 2005 the staff and board of trustees of Red Beach School worked on the creation of a new vision for the school. The school spent six months consulting and discussing the key question: 'What is it that we want our school to stand for?
Story 2: Coley Street's development as a learning community
Coley Street's recipe for change has involved a strong commitment to: behaviour management, sport, LEOTC programmes, community buy-in, changing attitudes to learning, ICT, curriculum change, and professional development.
Story 3: Teaching and learning at Takapuna Grammar
"When by simply sailing in a new direction you could change the world."
In 2003–2004 Takapuna Grammar School saw the need to respond to a number of imperatives in its thinking about teaching and learning.
Story 4: Towards enriched and responsible citizenship at Orewa College
Manaaki, ako and the middle school are the three elements which form the foundation of teaching and learning at Orewa College. Manaaki underpins the discipline system throughout the school, ako is the philosophy behind teaching and learning, and the middle school served as the pilot area for implementing and expanding the school's philosophy.
Story 5: Learning and growing together at East Taieri School
East Taieri began its exciting journey following the merger of schools on the Taieri. This was the opportunity as a newly merged school, for East Taieri to branch out on a new learning path. Involvement in the Taieri Te Awa ICT contract provided the framework for the start of the journey.
Introduction to thinking skills and upskilling teachers in the use of ICT in the classrooms was conducive to a shift in pedagogy and more consistency throughout the school.
Story 6: Creating a learning environment at Elmgrove School
When Elmgrove School started the teachers, parents and some children talked about what was important for the children at the school to learn. They came up with the school vision for the children to be socially co-operative, personal managers, information literate, capable communicators, effective thinkers and to do daily physical activity.
Story 7: Wellington High School - Tukutahi
For years Wellington High School has had a philosophy that aims towards inclusive classrooms. In examining the question of what makes an inclusive classroom today the school is attempting to move to a more collaborative, connected model of teaching and learning.
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Story 8: Integrating the curriculum at Opunake Primary
Four years ago the Opunake School Board of Trustees began a consultation process with the community, which resulted in a strong mandate from the community to make changes at the school.
Story 9: Southland Girls High - for all the right reasons
In 2005 Southland Girls’ High School became New Zealand’s first Year 7-13 state girls' secondary school. This opportunity was used to research then implement a new approach to the traditional Year 7 and 8 Intermediate School. They decided to create an inclusive and integrated whole school environment. This philosophy, which began as a vision for the junior school, evolved and became part of the whole school development.
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Share your own school snapshots
This interactive space enables schools to share snapshots including examples, strategies and ideas they have found useful in introducing curriculum change.
As the site grows we hope the information will enable schools to make connections with others (either nearby or at a distance), share practice and extend professional conversations.
Read the school snapshots.
There are more school stories available on LeadSpace. These stories highlight the thinking and strategies that are being applied to improve outcomes and benefits for students, staff, and communities.
Mission-On has a series of school stories which highlight how schools are tackling food and nutrition issues. These inspiring stories will provide some fresh ideas for improving health and well-being at your school.
