Tuakana (Years 5–6)
Welcome to the Tuakana whānau!
Year 5 and Year 6.
Coming soon….
“Don’t just tell children about the world. Show them.”
Nothing helps to bring out the very best in our Gulf Harbour School values like Outdoor Education. The teamwork, camaraderie, focus, determination, and sheer joy of learning away from the classroom cannot be underestimated.
With that in mind, Tuakana are increasingly incorporating the outdoor classroom into our learning foci across all areas—maths, literacy, and inquiry—to create many more moments of wonder that can be built upon when back in the classroom.
Inquiry “Wonder is the beginning of wisdom”
Through Inquiry, we plan to explore differing topic areas through our Waka Inquiry Process. This begins with Wondering, then Action, Knowledge and finally Application (WAKA). In 2023, we will be exploring what makes us who we are, and how well we can build and work as a team in Term One. In Term 2, we will focus on Curiosity, looking at evolution and taking a trip to Auckland Museum! In Term 3, we are basing our Inquiry around Cultural Diversity, culminating in our Showcase Arts Festival at Whangaparaoa College! Finally, we round off the year with Term 4 relating to Community Participation, building on the New Zealand Election and what makes great leaders what they are!
Maths
It is imperative that our students in Tuakana know their basic facts, which help provide the foundation and building blocks for math confidence and progress. We also look at strong problem-solving skills, as well as the ability to have a positive growth mindset to enable success whatever the numbers throw at us!
Literacy
This year, we will be working through an excellent spelling, reading and grammar programme entitled ‘The Code’. This is a four-day weekly programme comprising a specific spelling pattern, which also involves reading, writing and, of course, spelling! This programme will be supported through Steps and homework activities.
Don’t prepare the path for the child, prepare the child for the path”
It is imperative that we support and guide our year sixes through transition to High School and beyond. Through our close ties with Whangaparaoa College, we will be building on an already full programme of school visits (both to and from the College), as well as Transition Projects, such as our Text Focus Project, which enables next year’s teachers to get a better understanding of the students coming from GHS to the College.
We also have our Kickstart Programme for students who require a bit more support in Transitioning to High School. Along with that, we continue to increase our links with Wentworth and other Colleges in the area.
