From 2026, our teaching and learning will align with the refreshed New Zealand Curriculum, released in November 2025. English and Mathematics are the first required learning areas for implementation in NZ schools. English is taught using a structured literacy approach, including the Better Start Literacy Approach (BSLA), to develop strong foundations in Reading, Writing, Spelling, and Oral Language. Mathematics focuses on building fluency, conceptual understanding, and problem solving.
Other learning areas include Science, The Arts, Health, Physical Education, Languages, Technology and Social Sciences. These continue to be taught at Takaanini using the existing curriculum documents to guide our teaching. The draft curricula for these learning areas are currently under review by the Ministry of Education and are not required to be implemented in 2026.
Draft curriculum content for these areas can be viewed on the Tahurangi website.
Our school is part of Oxford Maths, which supports the teaching and learning of mathematics across the school through clear learning pathways, quality resources, and a structured approach to teaching. This helps teachers plan purposeful lessons, respond to student needs, and build greater consistency in maths teaching across year levels.
This sits alongside our continued work with DMIC, which supports rich mathematical discussion, reasoning, and problem-solving. Together, these approaches help provide a balanced maths programme.
We are rolling out BSLA across Years 0–8 as part of our school-wide approach to structured literacy. BSLA has been well established in our Year 0–3 space for several years, and this strong foundation is now supporting our wider implementation across the school.
This work is helping us build greater alignment in literacy teaching so students experience a more consistent, explicit, and connected approach to reading, spelling, and writing as they move through the year levels.
Our SENCo supports students with additional learning and wellbeing needs to access the best possible support at school. This includes coordinating plans, working with teachers and whānau, and liaising with outside agencies.
A key part of the role is supporting Tier 3 students, who need more intensive and individualised support. This may involve targeted planning, regular monitoring, and working alongside staff to help these students engage, progress, and experience success at school.
Our Mathematics Acceleration Programme supports students in Years 3–8 who need extra help to strengthen key number knowledge and strategies. Led by our Maths Acceleration Teacher, students work in small intervention groups and receive explicit teaching with supported practise.
The programme focuses on five key modules: place value, addition and subtraction, multiplication, division, and fractions and decimals. It is overseen by our Learning Support Coordinator to help ensure students receive the support they need.
Our Structured Literacy Acceleration Programme provides extra support for students who need further teaching following the BSLA Tier 2 intervention. Led by our Structured Literacy Teacher, the programme gives students targeted teaching and practice in the key skills needed for reading and spelling success.
This support is overseen and supported by our Learning Support Coordinator to help ensure students receive the right level of assistance and make strong progress over time.