Kelvin Road School

Junior School Learning Team Years 0-2 

Lisa McTernan - Team Leader - lisa.mcternan@krs.ac.nz

Tamariki start at Kelvin Road School when they turn five. Whānau are encouraged to enrol their tamariki prior to their fifth birthday so that we can plan for their arrival.

We aim to make your child's start to school as fun as possible in a calm and nurturing environment. New Entrant tamariki and whānau are supported in the transition to our school community with a programme of three preschool visits. Tamariki spend time in the reception room, joining in lessons and getting to know their teachers and classmates. During this time, whānau are invited to attend information sessions covering school routines, lunches, school programmes and ways to support their children's learning.

In the junior school, we aim to provide a learning programme that transitions your child from Te Whariki - Early Childhood Curriculum to the New Zealand Curriculum framework which focuses on developing foundation skills in literacy and numeracy while encouraging children to develop the skills they will need to be successful lifelong ākonga. 

At Kelvin Road School we promote our learners to embrace:

• The KRS values of Kind, Respectful and Safe
  
•  Our school motto; 'Kia Toa, Kia Manawanui - Be the best you can be'. 

Within the first few weeks of learning at Kelvin Road School, our expert junior teachers will develop strategies to best meet the needs of your child.

•  They will invite you in for an interview after about 6 weeks to discuss your child's start to school and how you can help at home.
• Showcase student learning through our team assemblies.
• Have an open-door policy and see communication between home and school as an integral part of your child's learning. 
• Encourage parent help in the classroom.
• Develop a daily reading programme with groups based on the tamariki's current learning needs.
• Run a writing and phonics programme based on each child's learning goals
• Provide a mathematic programme responsive to the needs of your child.
• Integrate information technology across all subject areas.
• Support tamariki with a wide range of enrichment and extension programmes.
• Acknowledge New Zealand's bi-cultural heritage by integrating Tikanga and Te Reo into our learning programmes.
• Run a varied PE programme, which includes ball skills, swimming and gymnastics
• Value the arts - we encourage tamariki to explore their creativity through dance, drama and visual arts.