Specialist Programme

 

 

History

The Country Schools programme was established in 2006 by four small rural schools (originally Knapdale. Te Tipua, Otama and Hedgehope). The principals shared a concern for the Year 7 & 8 students of their individual schools. Each school only had a few students and this limited social interactions. The principals wanted a broader perspective for their students and also learning that was targeted to their age group.

Waikaka and Waikaia have since joined this initiative whilst Hedgehope is no longer part of it.

All the school BOT’s support this initiative through funding the teacher for four days of the programme per term and also one planning day. There is also a Memorandum of Understanding in regards to how this programme works.

 
Advantages of the programme

 

• new friendships to help form transition to high school
• student voice is heard and acted upon
• close connections with schools of a similar size and nature
• lessen costs for individual schools
• students are able to access the more specialist aspects of Year 7 & 8 learning
• Science lab experience - in conjunction with St Peter’s - this is completed during term 4.

 
Activities that are part of the Year 7 & 8 programme (currently and in the past)

 

• Careers Education
• Languages - decisions based on what students want
• ICT and Digital Technology
• Police Programmes - Choices (Drugs and Alcohol education)
• Sexuality Education
• Leadership skills
• Financial Literacy
• Self Defence
• Life Education - targeted to Year 7 & 8 learning
• Art projects (pounamu, visual arts)
• Māori language and tikanga
• Experience in a secondary science lab

 
Camps

 

Each year the Year 7 & 8 programme participates in a camp.

• Deep Cove - with a focus on nature, birds, plants as well as the marine environment
• Careers Camp - involving a tour of the University, Polytechnic and different aspects related to looking at different careers and career pathways.

 
Other information

 

• Students are hosted at different schools each term
• There is an administration cost of $20 per student for the year to help cover costs (this includes science related costs for use of materials at St Peters)
• Principals regularly have updates about what is happening and termly, an information update goes home to parents as wel
• These students (apart from those at Waikaia School) also participate in four days per term at Technology as hosted by Longford Intermediate School.

 

If you want to know more, please contact: principal@knapdale.school.nz