Skills for Growing

At West Gore School, we explicitly teach and encourage tamariki to develop Skills for Growing. Based on the key competencies from the NZ curriculum, these skills enable learners to develop deeper knowledge, critical thinking, goal setting, independence, teamwork, and perseverance.
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“Key competencies are the capabilities people have, and need to develop, to live and learn today and in the future.”
(New Zealand Curriculum)

Teaching Skills for Growing places young people at the centre of their learning and brings a future-focused perspective, encouraging students to understand not only how to learn at school, but the importance of learning throughout life and in a wide variety of contexts.

"Skills for growing is... about problem solving."

"Learning through exploration is fun, it's engaging and there's many possibilities."

External Links
​>> Doctoral research highlights the value of play in class (Massey University)

Learning through Exploration

At West Gore School our students are confident and motivated learners who develop key competencies across the curriculum in authentic ways, all while fostering their natural urges to explore the world around them. Learning through Exploration places tamariki at the centre of everything we do by creating an environment that is ready for the learner, rather than demanding that learners be ready for an environment.

Our teaching and learning programmes encourage students to engage in experiences that incorporate their individual strengths and interests and empower them to build new Skills for Growing. This Learning through Exploration is hands-on, fun learning that empowers students:

• to question the world around them,
• to take sensible risks and make their own decisions,
• to use their own voice and to express their own creative ideas,
• to set goals and critically reflect on their learning and achievement, and
• to solve problems that they encounter.

Ultimately, Learning through Exploration helps students to develop a growth mindset and to become more adaptive, self-regulated, and fully engaged. Combined with Skills for Growing, Learning through Exploration enables our tamariki to build an explicit understanding of their learning journey. Students are able to talk about their learning progress using a vocabulary that prepares them to be lifelong learners beyond their primary education.

​“We love learning through exploration. The outdoor play areas and equipment have meant that our children are thriving.”

Instead of sitting at desks, Learning through Exploration encourages active participation by provoking inquiry and a sense of wonder. It is a model of learning that enhances concentration, develops deeper thinking and improves memory. It prepares West Gore tamariki for life.

Learning Together

Learning through Exploration provides opportunities for collaboration, while still embracing students' personal strengths and catering to different learning styles.

Learning Together builds a range of essential Skills for Growing. Students develop effective communication strategies and learn how to resolve conflict in order to not only successfully interact with others, but to also teach others and learn from them.

Our tamariki know that giving and receiving meaningful feedback, developing an ability to compromise and share, and understanding the impact that our actions have on others are essential skills for life.

"If something goes wrong, we figure it out together."