Primary School

Student Leadership

We believe every student has the potential to lead.

We offer a variety of ways for students to build leadership skills and take on meaningful roles across the school.

Whether they are helping in class or leading a cultural group, our student leaders learn to communicate well, work as a team, take initiative, and show resilience. Leadership is about serving others and making a positive impact on our community.

Roles include class leaders, house captains, peer mentors, librarians, road patrol monitors, and sports or cultural leaders, all encouraging students to lead by example.

Our Curriculum

Our curriculum is designed to shape confident, creative, and connected learners who are ready to thrive in the world.

Guided by the New Zealand Curriculum and shaped by our school’s unique character, we focus on building strong learning foundations alongside important life skills.

We emphasise learning strategies, encouraging curiosity, and making connections across subjects.

Learning is purposeful and relevant, with a focus on our school dispositions, preparing students to be active in their learning, their whānau, and the wider community.

Our Assessment and Reporting

Assessment is important to learning through helping students understand their progress and what to work on next.

We see it as key to building lifelong learning skills and a growth mindset.

Our teaching reflects modern practice, linking assessment closely with learning.

Teachers use assessment to guide teaching, and students use feedback to reflect, adjust, and take ownership of their learning.

Wellbeing and Pastoral Care

We follow a one-teacher, one-class model, enabling teachers to build strong, trusting relationships with their students.

This approach allows teachers to understand each child’s needs. For students needing extra support, our Pastoral Care team plays a key role, meeting weekly to discuss wellbeing and arrange help, including referrals to outside services.

Student needs are carefully tracked in our management system to ensure timely, informed support that truly makes a difference.

Learning Support

We are committed to ensuring every student has the opportunity to succeed.

When additional support is needed, our Learning Support team provides targeted assistance to help students build confidence and address any learning challenges.

We offer specialist programmes in reading, writing, spelling, and mathematics, tailored to individual student needs and prioritised accordingly.

Our team includes a full-time reading specialist and a number of skilled teacher aides who work closely with students to ensure each student is paid enough attention.

Learning with ICT

Digital learning is an integral part of our teaching and learning programme.

From Year 3 to Year 6, students actively use digital tools to support and enhance their learning, with a strong emphasis on developing responsible digital citizenship.

Across all year levels, from Year 1 to Year 6, students have access to age-appropriate devices that are used in purposeful and authentic ways to deepen understanding and engagement.

In the senior school, students work with Chromebooks and the Google Suite of tools, equipping them with the digital skills needed for today's world.

Sports at Chapel Downs

Physical activity is an important part of life at Chapel Downs.

Through the Health and Physical Education strand of the New Zealand Curriculum, students enjoy a variety of sports and physical activities led by their classroom teachers.

Students in Years 5 and 6 also have the opportunity to represent the school in inter-school competitions as part of the Ōtara Sports Cluster.

Annual sporting highlights include our fun and energetic Year 0–2 Tabloids Day and the competitive and inclusive Year 3–6 Athletics Day — both are much-anticipated events on the school calendar.

Extra-Curricular, Cultural Groups, and Clubs

Students have the opportunity to participate in a range of extra-curricular activities and groups.

These opportunities are offered at various year levels and mostly take place during lunchtimes, led by our dedicated staff. We are proud to have a vibrant Pacific Island Group, a dynamic Kapa Haka group, and a school choir, who perform at an assembly each year.

In addition, students can join one of our dance groups, lunchtime sports sessions, Tech Kids, chess club, art groups, or enjoy time in our quiet games room.