Learner CapabilitiesCapabilities are the core skills, dispositions, and attitudes that we aim to develop in every student. They define the "whole person" qualities necessary for students to be successful, lifelong learners.
Learning at 911吃瓜
Learning at Stonefields can be best described as relevant, rich and engaging. It is informed by a set of well-established vision principles, local and international research, and the voices of those that matter most - our learners and their wh膩nau. Every day children focus on building their learning capacity, developing collaborative skills, making meaning of the world around them, and 鈥榖reaking through鈥� - exploring their own strengths, interests and curiosities. What this means is that children not only learn the all important foundational literacies, but also develop their confidence, curiosity and agency, building their understanding of how to learn. This we believe is how we as a school can best serve our learners and our community - setting children up for success now, and in the future.
The BIG 5
At 911吃瓜, our vision is for every child to reach their potential and thrive. To achieve this, we have refined our "Balanced Curriculum" into five core parts鈥攚e call these the BIG 5.
Imagine our curriculum as a seesaw. On one side, we have Knowledge; on the other, we have Capabilities. For a child to be truly successful, the seesaw must stay in balance. If we focus only on facts, we lose the skills needed to use them. If we focus only on skills, we lose the foundation needed to understand the world.
Why the BIG 5 Matter
1. Foundation Knowledge: Success in all areas begins with high-quality, structured approaches to English (Reading and Writing) and Mathematics. These are the essential tools every child needs to access the rest of the curriculum and navigate daily life.
2. Concept Knowledge: We grow our learners' curiosity through rich inquiries into Science, Social Science, Technology, and the Arts. This allows children to make sense of complex ideas, see connections between subjects, and understand their place in Aotearoa and the wider world.
3. Capabilities: We have refined our previous seven learner qualities into five core capabilities: Determined, Self-Aware, Collaborative, Thinker, and Take Action. These sit across our vision and teach children the dispositions and skills they need to navigate "The Learning Pit," solve problems, and lead their own progress.
4. Hauora and Wellness: Hauora and Wellbeing are the heart of our seesaw. A child who feels safe, valued, and physically active is a child ready to learn. By living our school values and prioritizing healthy, active habits, we ensure the foundation of learning is strong.
5. Other Learning Opportunities: A rich education goes beyond the classroom. Through specialist "Exploring Through" activities, Music, and our "Break Through Challenges," learners are exposed to a library of experiences. This empowers them to find their passions, develop agency, and make a positive social impact.
The result? A rich, coherent curriculum entitlement that ensures Stonefields learners aren't just "succeeding at school"鈥攖hey are becoming confident, capable citizens who are truly prepared for their futures.
Our Language of Learning
A decade of experience has shown us the power of having a shared language of learning at school. It helps teachers teach better and helps children to describe 'what to do when they don't know what to do'.
Learning ProcessThe learning process helps learners investigate, problem-solve, make informed decisions, and advance their learning. It steps them through three key stages of learning - Build Knowledge, Make Meaning and Apply Understanding. Doing so aims to demystify the learning process, helping learners know what to do next. We teach specific thinking skills to draw upon at each of the three stages.
Learning PitGetting stuck in learning is a natural part of the learning process. At Stonefields, we call this "getting stuck in the learning pit", and learners benefit from recognising that 'being in the pit' is okay. Making mistakes, failing, and not knowing are essential parts of the learning journey. Being comfortable moving in and out of the pit is also critical so that learners experience a suitable stretch and challenge level. Often the best learning comes from being stuck.
Learning Hubs
We are proud of our well resourced and innovative learning environments, and the learning that happens within them.
The Learning Hubs (Innovative Learning Environments) have been specifically designed to support the school鈥檚 vision of teaching and learning. They offer a range of learning settings that teachers and learners can move between, according to the learning they are doing. Hubs generally are home to two or three teachers and between 50 - 80 learners. The team of teachers work together to design learning for all learners. An individual learner's learning may be caused by any of the teachers within the learning hub. A key to the learner's success is the teacher's ability to empower learners to take ownership of their learning.
Hubs are generally made up of two year levels, providing learners with the opportunity to work alongside those who are both older, and younger than they are. This is very much in line with the concept of tuakana鈥搕eina, and is a key feature of learning at Stonefields.
Each learner has a guardian teacher who is their advocate, strength nurturer, talent finder, motivator and learning activator. This adult acts as the individual's guardian while situated in the Learning Hub, and is often the first port of call for parents. The hub teachers are collectively responsible for learning and communicating with parents.
What is Exploring Through (ET)?
Along with learning the core competencies of literacy and numeracy, Stonefields' learners also get the opportunity to explore Music, Visual Arts and STEAM through our Exploring Through (ET) programme.
Check out the video to find out more
Wellbeing - The MITEY approach
Teachers, parents and experts all agree. Mental health education has never been more crucial for our children. 911吃瓜 employs the Sir John Kirwan Foundation MITEY approach.
MITEY is an evidence based, school wide approach to teaching mental health education which is built around the NZ Curriculum and aligned to the Mental Health Education Guidelines.
Student Leadership
As learners reach the senior end of our school, they are encouraged to take up a leadership opportunity. Learners write a cv and submit an application for leadership roles including:
School tour guides
Sports leaders
Tech support
Librarians
Junior class leaders
Kapa Haka leaders
Student council, and many more
