Schools In The Tararua District

Dannevirke South School is a state funded full primary school with a maximum role of 375 students. The school opened in 1900 and has a long and proud history in the local community. It continues to be the school of choice for new families in Dannevirke and has had a Ministry of Education approved enrolment scheme in place for the past six years to limit student numbers.

The school is fortunate to have high levels of parental support and involvement, as well as being well resourced and all of the buildings and facilities well maintained. The school grounds are extensive with mature stands of trees as well as a growing number of newly planted native trees.

The school continues to receive very good Edcuation Review Office Reports and has a well-established self review and school development programme.

The school can offer:

• A caring and secure environment that attempts to cater for the individual needs of all students.
• Extensive special needs programmes and a developing programme of enrichment for students with special abilities.
• A highly motivated and caring group of teachers.
• An open door policy that values the close association between parents and the school.
• Good facilities set in an expansive area of playing fields and native bush with an attractive stream running through the school.
• A proven record of academic achievement, extensive sporting involvement and a diverse range of cultural activities.
• A sound behaviour management programme that supports all students and staff.

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Huia Range School is located in the rural town of Dannevirke. It has a roll of 310, with 62% of students identifying as Maori. A  welcoming and well-maintained environment is provided. Students demonstrate pride in the school.

Staff know students well and work collaboratively with onsite and external agencies to provide support for the students and their families. School values are made explicit through the STRIVE motto. The Positive Behaviour for Learning programme is well embedded and reinforces positive and consistent behaviour practices throughout the school.

Students are engaged in purposeful learning, and demonstrate a strong sense of belonging in the school. They are friendly and show enjoyment and interest in learning. Students can confidently approach staff for support and guidance, and to share their interests and successes.

Huia Range School's motto: STRIVE

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Kumeroa School is a rural primary school situated 10 minutes from Woodville and approximately 30 minutes from Palmerston North. The school was formed after an education area review resulted in the amalgamation of Kumeroa and Hopelands Schools in 1994 and the merger with Kohinui School in 2008. They are a full primary, decile 4 school with a roll between 60-70 students, 10% of which are Maori.

The school is located in the township of Kumeroa adjacent to the Community Hall, Tennis Club and St Andrew’s Anglican Church. The Manawatu River passes to the west of the school grounds. There are three classrooms, a library and an administration block. A large adventure playground borders the playing field sheltered by a number of well established trees.

Kumeroa School was first established in 1884. The name Kumeroa has its roots from the time when travellers travelled up the Manawatu River to the Central Hawke’s Bay. The worst gravel banks and shallows were found in Kumeroa (kume – to pull, roa – long).

Today, Kumeroa maintains an open, friendly and welcoming environment for students, parents and community, along with a supportive Board of Trustees and community. The school and community celebrate and identify strongly with their rural history and tradition. Active fundraising within the community provides enhanced resources and opportunities for learning. As a result, the school is well resourced, with an excellent range of teaching and learning materials.

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Norsewood School was opened in 1873. In 2004 an amalgamation took place and the school was renamed Norsewood & Districts School. Norsewood and Districts School is located 20kms north from Dannevirke and has 3 classrooms. The school caters for students from Years 1 to 8. It has a roll of 75 students and 45% identify as Maori.

The school's vision is “Children will be enthusiastic life-long learners” and the motto is ”Making Learning Happen”.

Students enjoy a wide range of activities, including sports and other community events and the teachers focus on establishing positive relationships. Teachers use good questioning, and model learning. They provide useful feedback and use strategies to support students to manage their learning.

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Papatawa School is located approximately 6kms out of Woodville, the community use Palmerston North, Pahiatua and Dannevirke as their service centres. Students are dropped off by their parents.

Papatawa School currently has a roll of 29 students with two full time teachers and a 0.4 Principal Release Teacher.  Their Mission Statement is 'Preparing children for life in the 21st century in a caring rural environment' and their motto is "Learn for Life".

Breakfast is available every morning thanks to Kickstart breakfast.  Students receive a healthy lunch each day via "Ka Ora, Ka Ako / Healthy Lunches in Schools.

Two Students travel to Pahiatua for technology fortnightly (Year 7 and 8's).

For more information, call 06 376 5355, email the school office - office@papatawa.school.nz.

Ruahine School is nestled under the Ruahine Ranges, in a dairy, beef & sheep farming area just south of Dannevirke. We have a proud history of achievement, success and community involvement. The school was opened in 1953 after it was decided that three local schools should merge together to make one new, much larger school. Since that time two other schools have merged with Ruahine School, the latest happening in 2003 when Rua Roa School merged. This merger has been a huge success. The children are happy, excited about the future, keen to learn and proud of their achievements.

As a Year 0 to 8 primary school, we are committed to developing children's academic achievement and social abilities.

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St Joseph’s School is a year 1 to 8 integrated primary school that offers a high-quality Catholic education for up to 160 children. It is centrally located in Dannevirke and is the Parish School for St Joseph’s Parish. Our Catholic Character underpins all that we do and is integrated in the way we educate, ‘Nurturing Spirits and Encouraging Excellence.’

We believe that parents / caregivers are the primary educators of their children, and we endeavour to form a strong partnership with family / whanau to allow us to provide a positive, holistic learning environment for all children to reach their full potential academically, socially, physically, and spiritually.

The Curriculum we offer is stimulating and challenging and allows children to discover their strengths and learning styles in ways that best meets their individual needs while catering to their interests. Teaching staff have high expectations for all.

As a Catholic school in Aotearoa, New Zealand we are committed to honouring the Te Tiriti o te Waitangi in partnership with our Maori community."

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Weber School is attended by Years 1 to 8 students. They learn in multi-level classes in an attractive rural setting in Tararua. The school curriculum makes good use of the strengths of its rural setting, including accessing local resources and expertise.

The school continues to have a positive reporting history with the Education Review Office (ERO). The principal, teachers and trustees are strongly committed to supporting students to become successful, lifelong learners. Cooperative and respectful relationships are evident amongst students of all age groups and with teachers. Families and whanau are valued as important partners in their children's learning.

Weber School is a 'Learning to Learn' school. Children are reflective and responsible for their own learning and assessment. The staff are facilitators and reflective practitioners who focus on next steps for individual learning.

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Woodville School is in the heart of the community where children enjoy a well-resourced school with proud and strong traditions.

Woodville School has six classrooms for new entrant to year 8 students. Plus they have a seventh class for an innovative transition to school programme two mornings per week for four year olds who will attend the school.

They have a fantastic covered 20 metre, 4 lane, solar heated pool. They also have a cricket pitch and large fields. All six full time classrooms have interactive white boards which help to promote high quality learning programmes.

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Contact us:
Woodville School, Ross Street, Woodville
Ph 06 376 5276, email office@woodville.school.nz
www.woodville.school.nz

Ballance School is a well established country school that has been delivering primary education to Year 0-8 students for over 130 years.

Today, all students are provided with opportunities to learn at Ballance School. Our curriculum acknowledges and reflects diversity and provides opportunities for differences to be catered for.

We encourage students at Ballance School to take ownership of their learning. Students are taught to be self-regulated, motivated learners, who are aware of their next learning steps and how to achieve them. Learners achieve in authentic, integrated learning areas where they look to the future.

Exploration of future-focussed issues as sustainability, citizenship, enterprise and globalisation are part of our rich curriculum.

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At Pahiatua School we:

• Teach and live by the 3 Rs - Responsibility for self, the Rights of others, Respect for all;
• Provide a firm educational foundation to enable our children to become lifelong learners;
• Provide each student opportunities to experience success and to strive towards personal excellence.

Vision

All children empowered to become the very best they can - in mind, body, spirit and whanau.

Pahiatua School believes in:

• Developing social and personal behaviours that will give our children the skills to become valued citizens of the future.
• Equipping all of our children with the thinking tools and learning strategies to set, achieve and exceed goals while enhancing self esteem.
• The provision of a safe, caring and nurturing environment, essential to well being.
• Striving for excellence with an emphasis on 'the basics'.
• A positive partnership between parents/caregivers, community and school supporting our children's learning.
• The recognition and respect of New Zealand's bi-cultural heritage and celebration of the multi-cultural aspects of Pahiatua School.
• Supporting quality staff who will be recognised and valued for their ongoing development and contribution to achieving the vision.

Would you like to find out more? Welcome | Pahiatua School

“Preparing today's child for tomorrow's world"

"Whakakaha ngā tamariki mo apopo"

Eketāhuna School is located in southern Tararua. The school caters for 121 students in Years 1 to 8, 46% of whom are Māori learners, most identifying with Rangitane Iwi.

The school vision is to prepare today’s child for tomorrow’s world – Whakakaha ngā tamakiri mo apopo. Guiding principles of lifelong learners, future focus, community engagement, excellence and inclusiveness underpin school practice.

Strategic goals aim to:

• raise achievement in literacy and numeracy
• provide a positive, collaborative, inclusive and culturally responsive school culture
• create experts in digital literacy.

Leaders and teachers regularly report to the board, school-wide information about outcomes for students in the following areas:

• progress and achievement in reading, writing and mathematics for targeted learners and students in Years 1 to 8
• attendance.

The school is a member of the Tararua Kāhui Ako.

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We are a small rural country school in the Tararua District which caters for children from Year 0 to 8.

The school has a long tradition, having been established in 1887. It has progressed from its early beginnings and proudly offers excellent learning opportunities within a family based atmosphere. Our school is a very special place and thrives in a caring and supportive community.

Our motto is ‘Little Acorns to Mighty Oaks’. Our motto is based around the 80 year old oak trees which line the original entrance to our wonderful school. We encourage all of our children to uphold our MIGHTY values of motivated, imagination, giving respect, happy, to be adaptable and you’re confident.

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Makuri School is a sole charge school situated in the Tararua district, 30kms east of Pahiatua.  The attractive grounds and buildings provide ample space for learning activities and play.  The board places a strong emphasis on involving members of the wider district community in school activities, facilities and communications.

Makuri students are -

Motivated
Adaptable
Kind

United
Resourceful
Involved

We see our school as a learning community based on shared values and expectations.  We can all, students, staff and parents, work in harmony  to realise our vision enabling our students to achieve their full potential. We see learning as a partnership based on respect between all involved. Essentially we believe we all need to treat each other as we would wish to be treated. We will help students develop caring values by encouraging them to make ‘informed decisions’ and to consider how their actions affect others.

Inclusiveness
Makuri School will continue to be committed to welcoming, including and supporting all children who come to school - acknowledging their uniqueness, different needs, strengths and abilities, and different challenges and sensitivities.  All students will have equal opportunities to engage and participate in all school activities, develop the key competencies and experience all learning areas of the NZ Curriculum.

Cultural Diversity
Tolerance and understanding of different cultures and values will be practised and expected in the school environment.
Through classroom programmes and experiences,students will learn about their own heritage and that of other cultures.

Instruction in tikanga and te reo Maori
Instruction in tikanga and te reo Maori
Te reo Maori and tikanga Maori will be integrated into curriculum areas in an appropriate manner whenever possible. Where parents ask for instruction in tikanga Maori (Maori culture) and te reo Maori (the Maori language) all reasonable steps will be taken to provide for this.

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Kei te kaharawa ahau - The best I can be

We are nestled in the heartland of rural New Zealand, protected by the Puketoi Ranges and watched over by the The Three Kings. The students of Pongaroa School, its team and community actively strive to be their individual and collective best and take every opportunity to learn.

At the centre of each day is 'the student', preparing them for an ever-changing world ensuring they are confident in who they are and what they are achieving as learners. Cultural diversity and learning opportunities in Tikanga Maori and Te Reo Maori are celebrated with our strong ties to Papauma Marae and our community.

We are proudly digital learners with all senior students having a MacBook and our middle years having one MacBook between two learners. Our school also has iPads to support digital learning in our junior school. Pongaroa School teaching/learning environments have recently been upgraded with new innovative learning environments.

Our students are engaged learners who understand what it means to be self-managed learners. We are proud of their success in learning and we are equally proud of their success in the sporting field. Pongaroa School students participate in many team sports - rugby, netball and hockey.

We have recently upgraded our school and community swimming pool. This facility is completely covered and heated. As well as class lessons in Term One we also have optional lessons by a trained instructor in Terms 1 & 4.

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