Other Learning Opportunities

Library

The school library is used by all classes during the week. We currently have a new system which classes will be working to fully utilise as part of their classroom programme.

Students are expected to return books before new ones are issued. Books are a major expense and your assistance is requested to ensure that books are cared for and returned. Lost books will be charged for.

Donations for books by parents and friends of the school are always appreciated.

Specialist Services

The school is able to enlist the assistance of specialist services as required by teachers or parents. Or school Special Education Coordinator (SENCo) is Mrs Megan Marshall-Hall DP.

Some of these specialists are:

Resource Teacher of Learning and Behaviour
Resource Teacher of Literacy
Public Health Nurse
Visiting Teacher
Children and Young Persons Welfare Officers
Ministry of Education Psychologist, Vision and Hearing tests
Specialist teachers
Police Education Officers
Advisers in curriculum areas
Learning Support Coordinators
Rotorua East Kāhui Ako

Sport

Rotokawa School combines with a number of other schools for various sports events throughout the year.

Buses may be used to cater for transport needs and costs are apportioned as required and covered by the Shows and Events Fee.

We have school teams in summer for Touch Rugby and Flipper Ball and winter teams for Hockey, Netball and Miniball.

Parent assistance with coaching/managing sport is necessary and appreciated. Contact the office for further information.

Digital Technology & Devices

Rotokawa School pride ourselves on the utilisation of devices and digital technology to promote and enhance learning that occurs in the classroom.

Over the last year, we have worked to include Apple devices into the classrooms to allow students to extend their learning beyond the classroom confines. We also know that for our Tamariki, digital technology provides a means for many of them to be able to articulate and communicate their thinking in a useful manner. It provides them with the opportunity to collaborate on thinking. It provides them with the opportunity to modify their thinking through the additional ideas of others – which in the digital technological world – doesn’t have to be a peer within your class, or even your town; it could be someone from the other side of the world!

Not only do our Tamariki utilise their digital devices with their learning, to plan, problem solve, design, communicate and collaborate with those with their classroom/school, they also use their devices to communicate with others in the community.

Our Tamariki, in the past, have used their devices to communicate information, via survey and email, regarding transition to Intermediate. The devices provided an anonymous platform for our children to share their worries in a non-threatening manner with their prospective schools. Our Tamariki have also used devices to communicate with others within our community and other communities through Skype and email.

Seesaw is another means of communication within our school and this equipment will provide a means for our students to interact and own their learning that they post. Yes, we have parents connected to Seesaw, but we also have aunties, uncles and grandparents who do not live within our local area. Seesaw, and digital devices, provide a means for our families – in the biggest sense – to have an inside view into the learning that our Tamariki are involved in. It provides a means in which families can interact, and our children can interact back with them.

The Arts

A new venture for Rotokawa School is the Bi-Annual Production. Our production allows for all of our students with a strength in The Arts to shine. Whether it be performers, artists or stage organization – all students have an opportunity to participate.

2020 saw our very first Stage Production – X Factor. This production, which was organised over many, many months, involved up to 70 committed students, from New Entrant through to Year 6, in a range of different roles.

Te Reo Māori

All classes provide te reo Māori lessons – whether you are in the Reo Rua classes or not.

Our children are taught te reo Māori using a structured language acquisition approach which provides them with the basic skills of language learning in a supported environment.

All children are supported in learning our waiata through kapahaka. Tikanga Māori is covered within the class programme and utilising local experts and excursions also.

Reo Rua learning options are available for students and whānau/families who choose to be a part of learning in Te Reo Māori.

School Equipment

Children will bring readers home regularly that they have read in class to support their progress. We know there are times when they are forgotten and left at home. Please don’t hesitate to return the books in your child’s bookbag to the teacher or the school office.

Home Learning

Junior classes
The benefits of reading at home are enormous and children are encouraged to do so regularly. It is important that parents also read to their children.

The home reading session should be short (not more than 10 minutes) and enjoyable.

Senior classes
Reading is also encouraged for senior pupils and other study tasks may also be set.

Swimming

Our pool is thermally heated which allows swimming in term 1 and from Week 6 Term 4 generally until the end of Term.

Please ensure children have swim suits (togs) as threads drop from general clothing that damage the filter system. Rash shirts are acceptable.

Additional Learning Opportunities

Rotokawa School also offer a range of different learning opportunities for our students to participate in. Some of these include:

Aquabots – an innovative underwater robotics program where youth teams build an underwater Remotely Operated Vehicle then compete in New Zealand themed challenges

Rotomaths – An annual, Rotorua Based mathematics competition

Horizon programmes – A Programme run by Horizon Consultancy (who are the Education Arm of Ngāti Te Roro o te Rangi, Ngāti Uenukukopako and Ngāti Tuteniu Hapū

EPRO8 Technology Challenge – An inter-school science and engineering competition

Riding for the Disabled – RDA is all about providing goal-based riding activities that increase the ability, strength and confidence of people with physical, intellectual, emotional and social challenges.

Catfishing – Every fortnight a group of Keen Catfishing Killas head to our local lakes to eradicate catfish from the waters.

Parent Assistance

Helpers are always needed for the many tasks in and around classrooms. If you can help on a regular basis, or if you wish to do so from time to time, please contact the office or the teacher concerned. Consideration is given to how settled your child may be with a parent in class and we can always help and place you in a different class to assist.

There are times when uniforms for Kapahaka and Sports Teams need distributing or collecting. Your help is appreciated.

Book Club

This scheme offers a good opportunity for children to buy books at a reasonable price.

If you wish to purchase, complete the order form and return to school with the correct money by the due date.

Inquiries can be made to the school office.

Bikes in Schools - Bikes & Pump track

We are lucky enough to have a selection of 12′”, 14″, 16″, 20″ and 24″ mountain bikes and helmets.

Students are able to test their skills on the pump track and practice their school values such as: Cooperation, perseverance, problem solving, safety skills, being respectful facing obstacles and challenges, observation skills, patience, being safe and responsible, turn taking, communication skills and having FUN.

EOTC - Education Outside the Classroom - Classroom trips

EOTC programmes provide students with access to hands-on experiences that are not available inside the classroom. They offer unique and stimulating learning opportunities that support your child’s learning and achievement.

Students will attend trips throughout the year with their class and sometimes other classes. All EOTC trips align with student or school learning. In previous years students have gone to the library, Marae, Te Puia, Wingspan, Paradise Valley and the different lakes.