Whangarei Primary School

Type: Co-ed, Public

Location: Central Whangarei

Roll: 520 students

International: 10 students

Years: 0 - 6

Whangarei Primary School is one of the oldest and largest primary schools in Northland. We have a diverse student population representing over 25 different nationalities, which reflects the increasingly multicultural make-up of New Zealand. At Whangarei Primary School we have a Relationship-based Learning (RbL) schoolwide approach. This approach is culturally responsive and focuses on learning, not behaviour. We aim to engage with our learners and what they bring to the table when they come to school. Knowing who our learners are and where they come from is the first step in starting a shared learning journey.

Whangarei Primary School has a very strong and well resourced “English for Speakers of Other Languages” (E.S.O.L.) department, which aims to support our international and migrant students to learn through a holistic and integrated curriculum. We have specialist teachers for Te Reo Maori and Music, and we have a strong values based programme running through the school.

Whangarei Primary Unique Features & Programmes

Educational Highlights

Whangarei Primary School has revisioned over the past 18 months and our new slogan is “Dare to be Remarkable.” We follow the New Zealand Curriculum, which is currently undergoing a “Refresh”, and we are strong advocates of “Relationship Based learning” where teachers develop strong learning-focused relationships with students and whanau and then use evidence-based teaching strategies to ensure strong academic and holistic achievement. Our school values of Care, Courage, Respect and Responsibility play an integral part in the holistic education of our children

Cultural Highlights

Whangarei Primary School ensures that all cultures are valued and celebrated; we recognise that individuals need to feel part of our team by having their heritage, culture and background accepted and respected. Each term students lead a whole school powhiri for new students and staff to the school. This is an important part of who we are at Whangarei Primary School, and whanau are invited to join the Manuhiri (guests) so that we can welcome students and family into our kura (school) to become Tangata Whenua (people of our land). The school has three Kapa Haka groups that perform regularly throughout the year at assemblies, powhiri, concerts and festivals. The whole school practises waiata (Maori songs) every fortnight to ensure thorough preparation for powhiri.

Sporting Highlights

Our school runs hockey and netball teams that compete after school and on weekends. We have strong links to Northland Cricket, Football, Rugby and Hockey and receive regular specialist coaching for these sports at school. We have a fabulous 250m bike track and Northland Bike Ready comes into our school to give specialist riding tuition. We have camps for all students from Year 3 upwards, and have day trips for extracurricular activities like sailing, surfing, environmental science and museum trips.

Special Facilities

The school grounds have a sports field, a large swimming pool (33m long), an all weather sports turf and a basketball and netball court planned for the front playground. Our new building, Te Whare Raikia O Nga Manu (the flocking place of the birds), has recently been built to house the teaching of Music and Te Reo Maori – it is a functional, flexible working space which is adorned with amazing colours and vibrant murals. E-learning is integrated throughout the school at increasing levels relative to the age group – in most classes we have a 1:2 student to device ratio. We also have an extensive ESOL programme, which runs daily for our foreign language students. At Whangarei Primary School we pride ourselves on our Values programme, which promotes our four school values of Care, Courage, Respect and Responsibility.