Inclusive Learning
Providing something for everyone's learning needs and interests
Special Education Needs
The goal at Waikōwhai Intermediate is to ensure students with Special Education Needs receive the support they need by providing opportunities to enhance their learning through successful coordination of services, effective teaching practices, efficient and experienced support staff and engaging programmes that are meaningful and consist of well-scaffolded resources.
For more information on our programmes, please contact our SENCo, Cathy Ioelu: ioelu@wai-int.school.nz
Support Programmes - Literacy & Maths
It is the intention of Waikōwhai Intermediate to provide all students with the opportunity to improve their literacy at their own level. Our support programmes offered are Rainbow Reading, Fast Forward, and Steps for Literacy. These programmes are based on research proven methodology and resources. Not only are the students motivated by the purposeful and engaging activities but they also gain confidence in their literacy abilities.
If you would like more information regarding our Literacy Support programmes, please contact Leanne Smith at:
lsmith@wai-int.school.nz
In Mathematics, we offer a small group of children the opportunity to learn with hands-on resources and game-based experiences that help boost their Number Knowledge.
For more information on our Maths programmes, contact Jenni Rodan at:
rodan@wai-int.school.nz
English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
The ESOL course is designed to equip English Language Learners (ELLs) from diverse language backgrounds with skills to participate successfully in a mainstream classroom and learn about our way of life in New Zealand. ELLs, including migrants, former refugees and some New Zealand born students, are taught in small groups for one or two blocks per week, covering all four skills of reading, writing, speaking and listening. Many ELLs also participate in other programmes such as Rainbow Reading and Steps for Literacy.
For more information on our ESOL programme, contact Julie Collard at:
collard@wai-int.school.nz
Trees for Survival
Waikōwhai Intermediate is a partner in the Trees for Survival nationwide charitable trust, an environmental education programme. Our students have hands-on experience growing and planting native plants to help restore natural habitats. During the year, the students visit a landowner’s property to plant out the trees they have been nurturing, and to see how the previous plantings have matured and helped with erosion, water quality and biodiversity.
If you would like more information, please contact Rhonda Moir at:
moir@wai-int.school.nz
Active Life
Active Life is a tailored programme run by the Salvation Army that provides support for young youth and youth at risk. The team is headed by Hayley Masame and John Riki who has been part of the Waikōwhai Intermediate community for the past 6 years.
Active Life works alongside teachers to identify students who are potential leaders and supports the student's growth throughout their time at intermediate and college. They also assist with youth at risk who require guidance and support to foster their growth both socially and academically. Michael and his team run mentoring programmes every Friday for boys and have recently opened up to girls in 2015. They have been very successful and continue to support Waikowhai students with school trips, camps, coaching and in class tutoring. They are based at the Rec Youth Development Trust located in Dominion Road Extn, Mt Roskill.
For more information about this programme, please contact Timena Muna at:
muna@wai-int.school.nz
Extension Opportunities
Mathematics
Maths extension aims to support the students who thrive on mathematically-based, problem solving activities. Led by Jimi Zulaica, he encourages collaboration and perseverance in the face of challenge!
Languages
In Year 8, students get the chance to extend their learning in the language they took in Year 7, Mandarin Chinese or Japanese. In addition, they may join a French enrichment class for a lively introduction to the language and culture of France. These language opportunities are a perfect introduction to the foreign languages that are usually a compulsory part of the Year 9 curriculum programmes at secondary school.
For more information about foreign language opportunities, contact Julie Collard at:
collard@wai-int.school.nz
Masterchef
Masterchef is a group of approximately 12 students, who are given the opportunity to further develop their cooking skills after having completed a Food Technology rotation. Students follow an applications process, and after a certain period of time, the group changes to give others a chance to participate in this very popular class.
Masterchef allows students to cook by themselves, with different buddies, under pressure and in competitive situations. They also get the chance to cook a variety of foods using ingredients that they select themselves, using recipes they create themselves or research and find from different websites.
Many students from this group are encouraged to further develop their skills in Food Technology to the next level at high school, or as a career.
For more information about our Masterchef programme, please contact Rhonda Moir at moir@wai-int.school.nz
Robotics
Robotics is aiming to give as many learners as possible an opportunity to build and programme robots, whilst also thinking about the real life applications of them. Meeting once a week, the Design Tech room becomes a chaotic mess of Lego pieces, robots scuttling along the floor and chromebooks filled with coding languages.
Robotics provides a safe space where mistakes are marvelous, coding is creative and frustration is fun.
EPro8
EPro8 is an interschool engineering and problem solving challenge. Students who opt into this get the opportunity to experiment with a range of mechanical and electrical components to complete a set of tasks, from building dunk tanks to party popper machines, fishing rods to cranes. Towards the end of the year students can compete in a team of four at a within school competition, gaining points based off of what tasks they are able to complete within a time limit. Teams which do exceptionally well at this are then entered into an interschool competition with a chance to progress further. It is an ideal way of developing the school values; developing Ako through problem solving, Manaakitanga with teamwork and Māia by challenging themselves in competitive situations.
For more information about our Robotics and EPro8 programmes, please contact Andy Swan at: swan@wai-int.school.nz