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Kamo Intermediate SchoolTe Kura Takawaenga O Kamo
Together Building Tomorrow - He mahi tahi mō apōpō
Character Class Information - 2022
At Kamo Intermediate School, we offer Character Classes. Our character classes include:● Reo Rua (Bilingual) ● Thinkers Plus ● Sports Classes● Enviro Class
Often demand outweighs the number of character classes offered. This year a ballot process will be used for selection of students to be placed in one of these Character Classes. On the following pages, information about each of our Character Classes is provided.
When you have considered this information, please complete the survey which has been emailed to you, and submit this no later than 3pm on Friday 29 October. Parents will be notified or the outcome of the ballot early in November.
Enviro Class 2022
The vision for 2022 is to provide a stimulating classroom that operates both in and outside the classroom walls. The main focus is our environment. Throughout the year the class will embark on a journey of discovery which will include biodiversity and sustainability which will introduce the students to farming practices in a range of practices. The vision is that the students will be able to appreciate that productive outcomes need to be both economically and ecologically viable in the world they are growing up into. Most young people care deeply about environmental issues, and wish to make a positive change to the environment around them and this will be a major focus and expectation.
Links to all curriculum subjects will be seen in exciting practical exercises. A strong focus on Science especially Biology and Physics and the application of Maths throughout the year in a practical sense, should engage students when dealing with everyday problem solving tasks. Their teacher has been involved as a lead teacher of Literacy, and is respected for his high expectations in all areas of academic study. He has a double degree in Agriculture and Education. He has worked on a variety of farm types both in New Zealand and overseas. Students in this class are expected to be motivated learners. They should have a love for the outdoors, and be able to self-manage. They should expect to get their hands dirty, for example, we will not only be digging earth or preparing cuttings, but also pulling apart engines and pumps, undertaking pest control, and learning about tractors and other types of farm machinery. Problem solving will be used constantly in this practical work relating to the environment. We would love to undertake lots of field trips around the Whangarei rural area, walking the fence lines and observing first hand the workings on farms. Parent help in providing transport on these field trips will help us achieve this. Technology and its applications on the land will compliment steam classes.
Enviro class participants are learning with their heads, hands and hearts – connecting with nature, exploring indigenous wisdoms, forming relationships with tangata whenua, collaborating with people in their communities, and finding out about their own qualities and passions. Learning and action in
the Enviro class does not just have academic benefits but environmental, social, cultural and economic benefits too.
This class would really be suited to a forward thinking student with a interest in pursuing a career involving the land, whether horticultural, agricultural or other
areas. This is in no way an ‘easy option’ as any person working with the land today can testify. If you have the grit and determination then this could well be the class
for you.
Sports Class
What is a ‘Sports Class’?
❏ Designed to engage students by learning through the context of sport❏ Involves exposure to sporting techniques and the theory behind them, as well as the practical❏ Experience opportunities in the community and high level sporting opportunities❏ Exploration of possible career opportunities and/or learning pathways❏ Development of leadership skills and qualities in a sporting environment
It is not a class where sport is played all day - we do the same amount of PE as other classes.
Note: all curriculum areas will be covered throughout the year, like any other class.
Planned Curriculum for 2022
❏ About the body - systems, movements etc.❏ Nutrition and training programmes❏ Biomechanics❏ Mental health and strength❏ Passion-Based Learning (PBL) - based around a sporting issue or area of interest of the student’s
choice
Note: Plans change, but this is the direction we are heading in
Students in the Sports Class will need to:
❏ Be passionate about sport and want to learn in this context❏ Play a team sport❏ Be able to work well in team/group situations❏ Use initiative❏ Have high expectations of themselves and others - in and out of the classroom❏ Want to develop their sporting knowledge and ability further through theory and practice❏ Set goals for themselves and work towards achieving them❏ Be about the ‘whole team’ rather than just themselves
Note: this is not a class where students have to be top athletes. Currently, there is a wide variety of ability in our classes.
Sports Class FAQ❏ Is this a class for top sports people? No. There are a variety of sporting abilities within the class. Students are not
selected for their sporting ability.
❏ Does my child have to play a sport to be part of the class? Yes. They need to be interested in sport and play at least one sport and we prefer that sport to be a team code. Students who play/compete in individual codes are able to be in the class also. It is recommended the students are interested in (or play) a team sport as well.
❏ How is the Sports Class different to a ‘non-character class’? Our learning is conducted through the medium of sport. That is the ‘hook’ some students are seeking to make them more passionate about their learning AND/OR students who are interested in learning through something they are passionate about. All curriculum areas are still covered and the learning concepts used are the same as those in non-character classes - it is just the subject that is different. Example: persuasive writing - the issue would be related to some kind of sports issue.
❏ What is the point of the Sports Class? Over the last two years we have had a range of students be part of the Sports Classes… some of these students have been top academics, some have been ‘middle of the road’ academics, and others have had academic challenges. No matter what level a student is learning at, the Sports Class gives the students an opportunity to follow their passion. This type of learning is a good ‘hook in’ for those who find learning difficult as learning about their passions engages students and gets them feeling more confident about their abilities. For all students, it is an opportunity to follow their passions, extend and challenge themselves, look at possible career options to name a few.
We offer a warm environment for students to thrive and succeed under a tirohanga Māori. Te reo me ōna tikanga are integrated through all curriculum areas, and are at the forefront of our focus. As a student in our Reo Rua class, your tamariki will learn how to stand confidently in their Māoritanga, learning aspects of te ao Māori such as reo, tikanga, kawa, karakia, karanga, taumata mihi, mōteatea, hīmene, rongoā and waiata, as well as the full curriculum offered by the rest of the school.
Each of our students will start or continue a Te Reo Māori journey of their own, and through a focussed approach to te reo Māori me ōna tikanga, our overarching vision is that they will enjoy academic success as Māori. It is expected that all tamariki also take part in kapa haka and mau rākau lessons that run once a week.
For 2022 we will have a Tuākana homeroom class of Year 8’s and a Teina homeroom class of Year 7’s. Aspects of learning and teaching will also be done collaboratively with both homerooms learning alongside each other.
Nau mai, hono mai.
Reo Rua
REo Rua - Frequently Asked Questions
My child doesn’t have any reo, can he/she still apply to be in the Reo Rua unit? Of course! We welcome all levels of reo learners in our Reo Rua unit.Is it just Te Reo me ōna Tikanga Māori that is taught in the unit? No. We teach from the New Zealand Curriculum, covering Reading, Writing, Mathematics, Science etc. However, we plan our learning from a Te Ao Māori perspective.Does my child have to participate in Kapa Haka if they are in the Reo Rua unit? Yes! Kapa Haka is a way we learn our reo, histories, tikanga and much more. It is compulsory for all of our Reo Rua students.Would my child be suited to the Reo Rua unit at Te Kura Takawaenga o Te Kamo? If your child has a passion for Te Ao Māori and is a positive contributor and role model for their peers, we would love to have them join us in 2022!
Thinkers Plus
The Thinkers Plus class is a two year program that caters for like-minded students where success is a priority, and learning is a positive and exciting process.
In year seven, students will focus on all curriculum subjects, but especially learn the basics of Passion-Based Learning (PBL), such as research and presentation skills.
Thinker’s Skills
To apply for this class students should be self motivated, driven, and be able to manage their own time. They will be able to learn independently and collaboratively. Leadership roles, and public speaking is encouraged, as well as using their initiative.
Students will be expected to be involved in school extensions and extra activities as much as possible. They will spend a lot of time moving between learning areas. They will have very high expectations in each curriculum area, in regards to improvement, not just initial ability. The students will have a passion that their learning is based around. They will be inquisitive, passionate and trustworthy. A major part of this class is respect, for yourself and others. History has shown that like-minded positive students will ‘bounce off’ each other and improve in all school and personal areas.This class needs to produce future high performing leaders.
ContactsThinkers Plus - Andrew Epskamp - [email protected]
Sports - Natalie Hewinson - [email protected]
Reo Rua (Bilingual)
- Rachael Henare [email protected] Toni Kaiwai [email protected]
Enviro/Agricultural - James Brown - [email protected]
For any further information, please contact Pamela Abercrombie (Deputy Principal) by email [email protected]
For your child to be considered for one of these Character Classes, the survey that has been sent to you will need to be completed and have been submitted by 3pm on Friday 29 October.
