Tōku reo tōku ohooho, tōku reo tōku māpihi maurea.
My language is my awakening, my language is my window to the soul.

Writing

At Kahikatea Kirkwood, we balance structured literacy with building students’ confidence as authors. Our word study programme broadens vocabulary and strengthens spelling, while regular dedicated practice develops fluency in both handwriting and keyboard skills. Lessons encourage students to discuss, write, edit and share, giving them the chance to develop ideas, craft their writing, refine it, and share their work with others. Through explicit teaching of sentence, paragraph and text types, students learn to make clear, deliberate choices in their writing. We use Writer’s Toolbox as a teacher and student resource to support ongoing progress.

Reading

At Kahikatea Kirkwood, we balance a love of reading for pleasure with explicitly building students’ reading skills. Teachers model fluent, thoughtful reading by reading aloud to students regularly. Poetry, short stories, articles, film and novels are used in whole class and small group teaching to build comprehension and critical thinking. We benefit from an extensive selection of group novels to study. Word study builds students’ vocabulary and understanding of how words fit together to create meaning. Discussion is used throughout our lessons to challenge students and refine their thinking. Our well-resourced library and dedicated librarian foster a community of readers, where students have choice and voice in the books they read and recommend.

 

Ānō me he whare pūngāwerewere.
Behold, it is like the web of a spider.

Mathematics

At Kahikatea Kirkwood, we build strong mathematical foundations alongside real-world problem-solving skills through a structured mathematics programme. We help every student strengthen their core skills, such as fast, accurate recall of basic facts, while developing a deep understanding across all areas of mathematics, including number, algebra, measurement, geometry, statistics, and probability. By revisiting key concepts throughout the year and introducing clear mathematical vocabulary, we give students the confidence to explain their thinking, tackle complex challenges, and see how mathematics applies to everyday life. We draw on quality resources to guide teaching and monitor student growth. Currently we are using Oxford Mathematics, which is one of the Ministry of Education’s approved structured mathematics resources.

Tōku reo tōku ohooho, tōku reo tōku māpihi maurea.
My language is my awakening, my language is my window to the soul.

Support and Extension

Kahikatea Kirkwood is committed to ensuring all students engage and make progress, including:

  • English Language Learners: Our dedicated ESOL teacher works with small groups, providing targeted support using the English Language Learning Progressions and explicit teaching of academic and subject-specific language, alongside everyday English.
  • Additional learning support: Students who qualify for funding may work alongside teacher aides in their classrooms. Some students also receive additional support with foundational structured literacy sessions run by teacher aides.
  • Extension: A number of high-achieving students access extension Reading, Writing and Mathematics classes aimed at further fostering high-level engagement and critical thinking. Further opportunities are available via external and internal competitions, such as the UC Kiwi tests and Spelling Bee, Toitoi publication, Kids’ Lit Quiz, Kahikatea Whaikōrero Challenge, CAIMS Speech competition, Cantamath competition, Otago Problem Solving competition and many others. Extension opportunities may vary year to year.