Wellbeing

At Whau Valley School, Health, Physical Education, and Well-Being are a priority for our staff and students. We provide a strong focus on Hauora, promoting regular exercise, healthy eating and also mental health.

Implementation of programmes such as Zones of Regulation to support emotional regulation, Mindfulness to support stress and anxiety, as well as a Trauma-Informed practice to support and respond to a large number of tamariki experiencing trauma in their lives. Our external providers who include a school Energizer, Healthy Active Learners, Mana Ake and Hato Hone, support us with physical activities, mentoring staff and students, as well as promoting healthy eating and well-being.

A focus on Mindfulness and Hauora promotes a school environment that encourages staff retention, reduces stress and sickness, supports trauma for tamariki and encourages engagement and attendance. Whau Valley School will be seen as a supportive and nurturing learning environment that models our vision of ‘Learning as one, Growing together as one - Kia ako tahi, Kia tupu tahi’.

Play-Based Learning

Whau Valley School continues to develop a Play-Based Learning model with a focus on the development of social skills, oral language, self-management and cooperation. The building of these skills promotes engagement, problem solving ability, the capacity to work with others and regulate emotions. Our aim is to now develop these skills school-wide and see Play-Based learning linking to all levels and curriculum areas.
 

Zones of Regulation

Te Whare Tapa Wha Model - Mason Durie

Relationship-Based Learning

At Whau Valley School we have a Relationships Based Learning (RBL) school-wide approach. RBL is an educational approach that emphasises the importance of fostering positive relationships between kaiako and akonga. It acknowledges that strong, supportive relationships play a crucial role in enhancing the effectiveness of teaching and learning. RBL goes beyond the conventional teacher-student interaction, aiming to foster a holistic and inclusive learning environment.

Ongoing work on integrating the Hikairo Schema across school allow kaiako to draw on their previous experiences, inform and develop new and innovative ways of facilitating culturally sensitive and inclusive learning settings, to improve learning experiences and outcomes for all akonga.
 

Positive Behaviour for Learning - PB4L

The culture of Whau Valley School includes all stakeholders with a clear focus on continuing to build and sustain positive relationships. Whau Valley School has clear paths of communication established schoolwide, improving well being, togetherness and the sense of whanau. The PB4L and Restorative Practice framework is clearly evident within Whau Valley School, with improved behaviours, self efficacy and a culture where positive behaviour and learning is a way of life.