Our Learning

Positive Learning Environment

Tahuna Intermediate School is committed to providing a supportive and stimulating learning environment for its students. To achieve this, the school has recruited a team of highly skilled and experienced teachers who are passionate about working with pre-adolescent teenagers. These teachers understand the unique challenges and opportunities that this age group presents, and they are dedicated to helping each student reach their full potential. By fostering a positive and inclusive classroom environment, Tahuna teachers create a space where students feel comfortable taking risks, exploring their interests, and developing their skills. 

The home room teacher plays a crucial role in the well-being and development of our students.  As a consistent and familiar figure in the student's daily life, the home room teacher provides a sense of stability and security during a time of significant change. They serve as a mentor, advocate, and trusted adult whom students can turn to for guidance, support, and encouragement. 

The specialist programmes, encompassing art, music, food technology, e-tech, and hard materials, play a vital role in fostering a well-rounded education for students. These programmes provide a platform for students to explore their interests and discover new passions beyond the core curriculum. By engaging in hands-on, creative, and practical activities, students develop essential skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, teamwork, and communication. These specialist programmes cater to diverse learning styles and abilities, ensuring that all students have the opportunity to succeed and excel in areas that resonate with them. 

Tahuna welcomes students with special needs to our school. We have a policy of inclusive education that ensures that all students work alongside their peers in regular classes, and that special assistance and support is sought when required.

Tahuna provides and supports programmes for the gifted and talented and takes great pride in students seeking challenges and excelling. There is a positive culture of celebrating achievements and “doing the best you can”.

Leadership

Today’s children are tomorrow’s leaders, so developing leadership skills is an important focus at Tahuna. You’ll have the chance to become a house leader or deputy leader, librarian, team captain, class councillor or volunteer for a range of community programmes. You may be surprised how far these skills will carry you in life.

Make your views heard! Each class elects a class councillor and a deputy to attend school council meetings, discuss matters relating to the school and organise mufti days, social events and other fundraisers.

House leaders at Tahuna Intermediate are an important part of the school's leadership structure. These students have the opportunity to develop and demonstrate their leadership skills by taking on responsibilities within their assigned house. They run assemblies, organise and promote house-related activities and events, fostering a sense of community and spirit among their peers, and potentially serving as role models for younger students. This leadership experience not only benefits the individual student by building their confidence and capabilities but also contributes to the positive and supportive culture of the school.

The chance to help those in need is offered throughout the year, as students volunteer for door-to-door appeals for worthy organisations.

Local environmental clean-ups are also a feature of the school year, helping to teach the importance of a healthy eco-system to our lives. The DCC has recognised the efforts of Tahuna students.

Opportunities

Tahuna prides itself on the wide variety of opportunities that students have available to them. Opportunities in all areas of the curriculum are enthusiastically planned by staff and students enjoy the challenge and the variety.

Opportunities in:

• Art – including Art extension – outstanding artwork seen around the school.

• Reading – including the Tahuna Reading Awards scheme

• Mathematics – including extension classes, O’Mathalon & Otago Problem Solving

• External examinations for those keen on a challenge

• Written language with workshops that appeal to our keen writers. – students submit work for publication and in many competitions.

• Science Fair – an excellent opportunity for students to investigate and present their findings. 

• Music – including tuition and orchestra. Music sessions continue throughout the school week.

• Tahuna has a large number of sports teams in a variety of sports. Teams enjoy competition and aim to develop skills, teamwork, sportsmanship and a love of sport.

• Tahuna badges in fitness, performing arts, citizenship, and reading encourage students to strive to improve and to succeed.

• Leadership – including school council and house leaders.