English is the foundation of learning. Through oral language, reading, and writing, our students learn to express who they are, connect with others, and explore the world. Strong literacy skills empower children to think critically, share their ideas, and enjoy the richness of stories from Aotearoa New Zealand and beyond. As Te Mātaiaho reminds us: Ko te reo tōku tuakiri, ko te reo tōku ahurei, ko te reo te ora — Language is my identity; language is my uniqueness; language is life.
Our Philosophy and Approach
We believe every child can see themselves as a confident communicator, reader, and writer. Our approach combines structured literacy with a love of storytelling.
We focus on growth mindset — helping students see challenges as opportunities, and mistakes as part of learning.
We draw on Te Mātaiaho’s principles:
- Building strong foundations in oral language, reading, and writing.
- Supporting both constrained skills (like phonics and handwriting) and unconstrained skills (like vocabulary, comprehension, and critical thinking).
- Valuing literature as joy and nourishment, and stories as a way to understand ourselves and others.
How We Teach This at Different Ages
Click on your daughter’s year group below to learn what they learn each year and how learning is approached.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is this different from how I learned at school?
We use evidence-informed, structured literacy approaches alongside rich literature. This ensures children master the basics while also developing critical thinking and creativity.
How do we make sure they learn the basics?
Phonics, handwriting, spelling, and grammar are taught explicitly and systematically, while reading and writing are practised daily.
What if my daughter finds it hard?
We provide targeted, small-group support and adjust the pace of teaching. Early, intensive help is most effective.
How do you extend girls who are ready for more?
Students who progress quickly are extended with deeper comprehension tasks, wider reading, and opportunities to write in more complex forms.
Do you use technology or special resources?
Yes—digital tools are used for publishing, research, and multimodal storytelling. But handwriting and print-based reading remain essential foundations.
How can parents support this at home?
Read together daily, talk about stories and ideas, encourage writing at home (letters, lists, journals), and celebrate effort as much as achievement.
How do you assess progress?
We use ongoing observation, assessments, and student self-reflection. Twice-yearly standardised assessments also help us track progress and plan next steps.
What Success Looks Like
By the end of Year 6, our students are confident communicators, fluent readers, and capable writers. They enjoy reading for pleasure, think critically about texts, and express themselves clearly and creatively. Most importantly, they see language as part of their identity and a tool for engaging with the world.
Our Results
Our approach leads to strong outcomes. Students build secure literacy foundations early, which enables them to thrive in all curriculum areas. Beyond data, we see success when students eagerly share a story they’ve written, debate ideas respectfully, or get lost in a book for pure enjoyment.
