FAIRFIELD INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL THE HOME OF EXCEPTIONAL LEARNERS PROSPECTUS PRINCIPAL’S WELCOME FAIRFIELD INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL WELCOME TO FAIRFIELD INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL. VISION Kia ora koutou, Greetings. We extend a warm welcome to all Exceptional Learners, Exceptional Place prospective students and their whānau. Whakaharahara ākonga, Whakaharahara wāhi We are extremely proud of our school, its rich history and the many outstanding achievements of our students. I would like to thank you for taking the time to find out a bit more about what our school can offer. MISSION Fairfield Intermediate School is a vibrant, multi-cultural We specialise in high quality learning for intermediate school that specialises in catering for the emerging adolescents. learning and pastoral needs of Year learners. We recognise We provide a broad range of opportunities in and understand that these can be the most critical years a safe, inclusive, connected learning community. in a young person’s life as they are maturing physically We embrace the potential of our unique and and developing emotionally. Within our school we have the diverse community. expertise and resourcing to concentrate solely on our Year and 8 students, giving them the opportunity to further develop Students leave Fairfi eld Intermediate School their knowledge, skills and confidence in a safe and supportive as confi dent, critical and creative thinkers, learning environment. From Fairfield Intermediate School, our equipped to take their place as responsible students go on to a range of high schools across the Waikato contributors to a global society. and beyond and we work hard to ensure that as a school we are providing a smooth pathway for students, setting them up for success as they continue on their educational journey. Our school vision, ‘Exceptional Learners, Exceptional Place’ encourages our students to reach for the stars and this is VALUES underpinned by our school values of courtesy, co-operation, courage and commitment. As Fairfield whānau, we stand tall We promote and encourage our with pride and we hold the belief that together as a united and school values the C’s; diverse learning community we are stronger and can learn and grow with each other - Whiria te tangata - weaving the people COURTESY - together. Our ultimate goal is for our students to become Whakawhetai confident citizens and life-long learners who will contribute positively to the community and who will go on to reach their OURAGE C full potential. Whakamanawanui CO-OPERATION On behalf of the Board of Trustees, the staff and current students, I look forward to welcoming you and your child to Mahi Tahi our school and we look forward to working in partnership with COMMITMENT you for the benefit of your child and their learning. Tu-turu Angela Walters These C’s are an integral part of the day to day Dip T, BEd, MEdLeadership (1st Class Honours) running of our school. They are communicated and Acting Principal promoted in such a way that they are understood by all members of our community – especially our students. CURRICULUM ACADEMIC FAIRFIELD INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL PROVIDES A DYNAMIC, EVOLVING CURRICULUM WHICH FOCUSES ON ALL ASPECTS OF THE NEW ZEALAND CURRICULUM TO CATER FOR THE NEEDS OF YOUNG ADOLESCENTS. While we have a strong emphasis on literacy and for strong learning relationships to form and a truly mathematics, we are committed to academic excellence integrated learning approach. In addition to their regular through an integrated curriculum which challenges and class programme, we have an innovative technology and motivates students to realise their full potential in a arts programme that allows students the opportunity to range of areas. Students are encouraged to be innovative, experience higher levels of learning in these areas with work collaboratively and to develop skills in the key specialist teachers and facilities. competencies of thinking, using languages, symbols and text, managing self, relating to others and participating We also offer students the chance to test themselves and contributing. in a range of additional academic opportunities such as ICAS Exams, Speech Competition, Otago Problem Solving The core curriculum is primarily taught by the students' Challenge, Literature Quiz, Waimaths, Baymaths, the classroom teacher in the childs' homeroom, allowing Waikato Science Fair and the Waikato Spelling Bee. E-LEARNING FAIRFIELD INTERMEDIATE PRIDES ITSELF ON ITS ABILITY TO PROVIDE AUTHENTIC LEARNING EXPERIENCES FOR ALL OF OUR STUDENTS THROUGH THE USE OF ICT (INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY). All our classrooms are BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) and are also fi tted with a number of desktop computers. e-Learning provides students with access to 21st Century information resources and tools that can be integrated into their learning. It has huge potential for growing self-directed learning and provides multiple avenues for student creativity, design, communication and presentation. e-Learning also provides students with the ability to be technologically confi dent and fl exible and provides opportunities for students to learn in new and innovative ways. Classrooms utilising digital technologies and e-Learning in various forms have been operating successfully within the school for over 10 years. The school has embraced the digital curriculum and this is being implemented through classroom programmes to ensure that our students are set up for future based learning. E-LEARNING PROVIDES STUDENTS WITH THE ABILITY TO BE TECHNOLOGICALLY CONFIDENT TECHNOLOGY AND ARTS PROGRAMME FAIRFIELD INTERMEDIATE HAUORA AND TECHNOLOGY TECHNOLOGY The Health and PE curriculum is combined with the AND ARTS DEPARTMENT Technology curriculum to form the specialist subject of Hauora. In this subject, students will develop an In addition to their regular class learning programme, understanding of hauora (wellbeing), lifestyle factors that students attend specialist classes twice a week where impact hauora and ways of being responsible for their they are exposed to a wide range of further learning own hauora. opportunities. Fairfield Intermediate currently offers six Students will be able to define the four areas of hauora specialist subjects: Music, Visual Art, Biotechnology, - taha wairua, taha hinengaro, taha tinana, and taha Workshop Technology, Physics and Hauora. Students have whānau and how each one influences and supports the the opportunity to visit all of the specialist areas each others. Students will discover how products are produced year during their time at Fairfield Intermediate. and how ingredients can be manipulated to achieve specific outcomes. As knowledge develops, students will be able to adapt recipes to include healthier alternatives, recognising why their choice is a healthier option. WORKSHOP TECHNOLOGY Technology is based upon forming knowledge and skills that can be applied in the context of the school workshop. Students are encouraged to use knowledge and skills from other areas of the curriculum; such as mathematics, to help them develop the practical skills required to be creative in the workshop. Students will have the opportunity to independently design, model, plan, and create a technological outcome Students will be placed in mixed groups from the classes that can be completed in the school workshop and in their House and will attend these classes twice a design centre. Students will need to consider the use of week. We also have technology and arts community practical resources and the materials needed to develop days intermittently throughout the year where parents/ the product, the practical skills they will need to apply to caregivers and whanau are invited to share in their child’s create the product, and the process they will need to go learning. through to develop the product. E-LEARNING PROVIDES STUDENTS WE OFFER STUDENTS THE WITH THE ABILITY TO BE CHANCE TO TEST THEMSELVES TECHNOLOGICALLY CONFIDENT BIOTECHNOLOGY The science curriculum is combined with the technology curriculum to form the specialist subject of Biotechnology. In this subject, students will learn to understand the physical properties of a range of different materials and how these physical properties are manipulated to achieve specific outcomes. As the students develop their knowledge in this subject they will be able to identify how biotechnology processes expand human possibilities. Students will learn that biotechnology is a technology that involves the use of living organisms. This type of technology is used to improve aspects of agriculture, THE ARTS - VISUAL food science and medicine as well as make useful chemicals and products. Visual Art provides our students with the opportunity to develop conceptual creative thinking skills through drawing, sculpture, ceramics, design, painting, PHYSICS & TECHNOLOGY printmaking and photography. Students develop Physics is combined with technology to provide an understanding of visual literacy and aesthetic students with the opportunity to think critically about awareness as they manipulate and transform visual, a range of physical phenomenon, develop problem- tactile and special ideas to solve problems through solving strategies and test possible solutions. By exploring experiences both collaboratively and studying physics, students gain an understanding of individually. how everything in the world interacts or occurs. They learn how to participate and celebrate their own Students will explore everyday examples of physical and others’ visual worlds. An understanding