Our Curriculum
Academic Excellence
Our Students Love Learning
The building blocks of our curriculum are Reading, Writing and Maths. We teach our subjects through integrating them into an approach called Project Based Learning. Each term is a new project, with students working collaboratively on producing an output that serves either our students, or the wider community. Using authentic contexts engages our students.
Our academic results are high and we work constantly to find ways to work with our diverse range of learners, including our gifted students. While we acknowledge that students have different starting points and progress at different rates, our aspirational goal is for all students to meet or exceed the appropriate curriculum level. We focus on achievement but place a high value on progress and effort, as well as developing the soft skills needed in today’s workforce.
We have a strong focus on drawing on student’s cultures, incorporating digital technology as a tool and considering the environment. We are also committed to upholding our dual heritage, weaving te reo and tikanga throughout our day.
Sports Gallery
Welcome to the Sports Gallery of Bucklands Beach Primary School
Explore the photos to see our students in action, whether they’re celebrating a victory, giving their best in practice, or simply enjoying the fun and camaraderie that sports bring to school life. Each image reflects our commitment to fostering a love for physical activity and promoting a healthy, active lifestyle among our students.
Sport
Sports at Bucklands Beach Primary School
At Bucklands Beach Primary School, we believe that sports play a crucial role in the holistic development of our students. Our sports program is designed to foster teamwork, resilience, and a love for physical activity. We offer a wide range of sporting activities, from traditional team sports like rugby, soccer, and netball, to individual pursuits such as athletics and swimming. Our students are encouraged to participate in sports at all levels, whether they are just beginning or aiming for competitive success.
We value a broad and enriched curriculum
Arts & Culture
We have an Art Exhibition every other year as a part of a Visual Arts Focus. Sometimes we set it out in classes and this allows the whole school community to wander through all the classes, and other times we set it out like an art gallery in the hall and have an open evening.
Both formats are highly appreciated and popular.
Every student submits a piece of artwork for the annual school art exhibition. Parents and community are invited to view the childrens’ art. We love having our art on display for everyone to see.
The school has a group of committed chess players who play against each other during morning tea and lunch breaks on a rotational basis.
Players reflect good chess etiquette – to be a good sport and to be respectful in the game of chess.
At times chess players are selected to represent B.B.P.S. in the Inter-school Teams Chess Championships.
We are also involved in a Mini Chess Competition. This is held in conjunction with the Howick and Pakuranga Chess Club. The players in each team rotate each week, allowing many of our keen children to play against other teams and gain experience.
The BBPS choir is open to all students of all ages.
The children meet weekly and enjoy the opportunity to perform to the school during assemblies and at events.
Every second year, an auditioned group of senior students join choirs from other local schools to participate in the local HPPA choir festival.
Dance is an area of the curriculum which each class at every level enjoys.
Every other year each Team does a PAC [Performing Arts Celebration]. They are so popular that often three full concerts per team are needed!
We also have many opportunities for our school dance groups to perform within the school and the wider community.
Each year dance groups perform at the Howick and Pakuranga Schools Dance Festival. This is a wonderful opportunity for our local schools to celebrate and share different dance forms.
We have a great kapahaka with a huge membership. We have formal powhiri for new staff and students, as well as guests and visiting international students and teacher groups.
The students learn different waiata (Maori songs) and specially chosen students lead it with a karanga [prayer]
Each year a group are selected to represent Bucklands Beach Primary and perform in the Koanga (Spring) Festival. The Koanga Festival includes lots of different schools including primary, intermediate and colleges. It is not a competition and it is a good chance to get together as a larger community to showcase kapahaka skills and talent. We enjoy sharing what we have learned and we are very lucky to have such wonderful teachers willing to teach us.
Musiqhub
Music lessons are available at Bucklands Beach Primary School, through Musiqhub, a nationwide network of independent music teachers. Children can learn, Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Trumpet Trombone, Drums Recorder, Guitar or Ukulele, during or after school hours as the timetable permits.
Musiqhub teachers are experienced, passionate and well vetted before they teach here. Please contact Musiqhub via their website or via the phone numbers below:
Shaun O’Kane
Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Trumpet Trombone, Drums, Recorder
shaun.okane@musiqhub.co.nz
021 259 7042
Jordan Morrison
Guitar and Ukulele
jordan.morrison@musiqhub.co.nz
021 132 7024
Joanne Klein
Piano
joannesklein74@gmail.com
021 122 4145
Student Leadership
We build student leaders
Students are encouraged to take on responsibilities at every level of the school. Each class has a buddy class so that older students can take care of younger and newer students (tuakana/teina).
They can be:
- Enviro leaders
- Student Council leaders
- Kapa haka leaders
- Leaders of sports teams
- Peer tutors
- Senior school monitors
- Class monitors Years 1-6
