Welcome to the Primary Classes of Ponatahi Christian School

 

Who is the focus of Christian primary education?  The question answers itself: Christ!  What is the focus of Christian primary education?  Children are to be nurtured in the knowledge that they need Christ to serve God and society.   

And what a joy it is to welcome the new entrants to school as they turn five, and start the journey of their regular schooling.  

Religious education is provided to the primary students every morning.  Typically, this consists of Bible reading, and/ or a Bible story, singing, prayer, and instruction.   Furthermore, we believe that all education should be grounded in a Biblical worldview, with the purpose of enabling students, by God’s grace, to serve Him and society.  

Explicit teaching of structured numeracy and literacy in appropriately sized groups, together with lots of opportunities for hands-on learning activities, characterise the early years of school.

As the children mature and progress through the primary years, the fundamentals of numeracy and literacy continue, while the key competencies of independent learning start to take a more prominent role: students learn to use their learning to engage in more learning.  The older primary children become more independent learners and critical thinkers as they progress to the stage where they leave primary school with all the skills and attitudes necessary for success in secondary school.  

Beyond the key subjects of numeracy and literacy, we provide the children with a wide range of learning subjects and experiences as we explore art, music, social science, science, physical education and other areas of the curriculum.  

In short, in the primary school we endeavour to nurture the students spiritually, intellectually, emotionally, physically, and socially.  

Kind regards

Ronald Bertram

HOD Primary

ronaldb@ponatahi.school.nz