ABOUT+US

Welcome to our school's wikispace. St Thomas Aquinas School is an integrated Catholic Full Primary School (Years 0-8). We are situated in the Central Southland township of Winton with our nearest city being Invercargill approximately 24km away.

As a Special Character school, Christian attitudes and values are emphasised, and supported by the parents and parish community. The 'family' atmosphere at St Thomas Aquinas is a strength of the school, with an emphasis on the development of each individual.

Our school is set in a pleasant environment, for the children. There is a large sandpit, two tennis courts with a volley wall, playground and a large area of grass. There are four classrooms, a Library/Hall area and a glassed in variable space. Our administration block contains a staffroom, principal's office, teaching space and medical room.

We have a number of features within our school including the many opportunities through sports, the arts, leadership and various competitions and community events. All students from Yrs 0-8 have the opportunity to attend camps, which assist in the development of the key competencies in particular ‘Relating to Others’ and ‘Managing Self’.

Our school has a strong emphasis on the provision and use of technology to further enhance the teaching and learning, with all four classes having large interactive whiteboards. Digital cameras, electronic microscopes and various recording devices are a part of our learning. Each class has its own wikispace in which they share their learning. The link to these can be found on the home page of this wiki.

With a skilled and committed Board of Trustees, and Staff, we are able to offer education in a school where a positive learning culture exists and where high standards of achievement are expected and achieved.

We welcome families to come along and see first hand the great school we have and consider becoming a part of our fantastic learning community.

Teresa Jarvis Principal


 * ** A school culture that is inclusive and collegial. The strength of relationships at all levels of the school underpins sustainability. All staff are highly professional in their roles and regularly seek ways to improve their performance. (ERO 2014) ** ||

** Strategic Direction at St Thomas Aquinas School ** Vision for Students Learning at St Thomas Aquinas School // “Vision involves learning to connect the past, present and the future. The past is all too familiar. The present is uncertain. The future is untried.” // ** Our School ** Vision of the qualities our students will show as a result of their years of learning and living in our school and its community.
 * ** NZC ** Vision for all New Zealand’s young people who participate in our school system. ||
 * ** A supportive environment, which empowers students to achieve personal excellence and to be successful citizens in our global community. ** This will be achieved by encouraging our students to:
 * Integrate the knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of the Catholic Faith into their everyday life
 * Be creative and critical thinkers
 * Be problem posers and solvers
 * Be responsible risk takers
 * Be effective communicators and contributors
 * Be self motivated || ** Confident **
 * Positive in their own identity
 * Motivated and reliable
 * Resourceful
 * Resilient
 * Connected **
 * Relate well to others
 * Use communication tools effectively
 * Connected to land and the environment
 * Actively Involved **
 * Participate in a range of life opportunities
 * Contributes to the well being of New Zealand
 * Life Long learners **
 * Literate and numerate
 * Critical and creative thinkers
 * Seekers, users, creators judges of knowledge
 * Informed decision makers ||

** Principles at St Thomas Aquinas School ** // Principles are the qualities that underpin curriculum design and action // ** Our School ** Principles to underpin the design of our schools curriculum ** 3) ** Treaty of Waitangi The curriculum acknowledges the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi, and the bicultural foundations of Aotearoa, New Zealand. All students have the opportunity to acquire knowledge of te reo Māori me ōna tikanga.  ** 4) ** Cultural diversity  The curriculum reflects New Zealand’s cultural diversity and values the histories and traditions of all its people. ** 5) ** Inclusion The curriculum is non-sexist, non-racist, and non-discriminatory; it ensures that students’ identities, languages, abilities, and talents are recognised and affirmed and that their learning needs are addressed. === === ** 6) ** Coherence  The curriculum offers all students a broad education that makes links within and across learning areas, provides for coherent transitions, and opens up pathways to further learning. ** 7) ** Future focus The curriculum encourages students to look to the future by exploring such significant future-focused issues as sustainability, citizenship, enterprise and globalization.  ** 8) ** Community engagement  The curriculum has meaning for students, connects with their wider lives, and engages the support of their families, whānau, and communities. ||
 * ** NZC ** Curriculum practice throughout our school is underpinned by and consistent with the NZC through performing the following actions ||
 * # High expectations are set, so all students are motivated and supported to develop in the areas of academic, cultural and sporting arenas.
 * 1) Students are encouraged to develop responsibility for their learning and be actively involved in the learning process.
 * 2)  The school embraces and supports the bicultural heritage of Aotearoa, New Zealand. All students have the opportunity to acquire knowledge of Te  reo Māori me ōna tikanga.
 * 3) The school embraces and supports cultural diversity within New Zealand.
 * 4) All students are provided with a fair opportunity to learn.
 * 5) Review of our curriculum and teaching practice ensures quality and innovative learning experiences, which cater for all learners.
 * 6) Provide rich learning opportunities that are relevant to student’s futures.
 * 7) School fosters positive partnerships with all those involved in the students learning. || ** 1) ** High Expectations ** The curriculum supports and empowers all students to learn and achieve personal excellence, regardless of their individual circumstances. **** 2) ** Learning to learn  The curriculum encourages all students to reflect on their own learning processes and to learn how to learn.

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 *  ** Students benefit from...* A strong focus on the development of inquiry and other thinking skills* Well planned extension and learning support programmes* Meaningful experiences in and beyond the school* Well planned integration of different curriculum areas into engaging themes (ERO, 2011) **