SCHOOL LIFE
At Waikāka School, we are committed to providing a comprehensive education that aligns with the New Zealand curriculum.
The New Zealand curriculum serves as our guiding framework, ensuring that your child receives a well-rounded education. It focuses on developing values and key competencies that are vital for success in life. These essential skills are seamlessly integrated into the teaching of various subjects and learning areas.
We place significant emphasis on building strong foundations in reading, writing, and mathematics. These core skills are essential for your child's future success. We strive to create an inclusive and engaging learning environment where each student can flourish.
School Hours
Learning Time
9:00-10:35
Morning Tea
10:35-11:00
Learning Time
11:00-12:40
Lunch Time
12:40-1:30
Learning Time
1:30-3:00
A student led school assembly is on a Friday and occurs on designated days two or three times per term.
Cultural Learnings
We are delighted to offer kapa haka, a traditional Māori performing arts group, to those students who are interested. Alongside this, we provide a Te Reo Māori and Culture stream, allowing students to choose their preferred area of participation. This offers a wonderful opportunity for students to connect with Māori culture and language.
Sporting Opportunities
Waikāka School has a number of sporting opportunities for students. We combine with the other schools (Pukerau, Knapdale, Otama, Te Tipua and Waikoikoi) in the WCD (Waikāka Combined Districts) to do Athletics, Swimming and Cross Country together.
Our students have opportunities to represent our school in Golf, Miniball, Netball, Cricket, Touch Rugby, Basketball, and Netball. We combine with our other small schools to make teams, if we are short of team members, for the various district competitions.
The students also have opportunities to be involved in the districts sports clubs like Rugby, Football, Wrestling, Karate, Swimming, Gymnastics, and many more.
Swimming Pool
We are lucky to have our very own swimming pool conveniently located on our school premises. This great facility sets us apart and offers a unique advantage to our students.
During the warmer summer months, our heated and fully covered swimming pool becomes a hub of excitement and aquatic learning. In Term 1, we dedicate time to swimming lessons, focusing on water safety and skills development, including two weeks of REAP swimming. Following this, our talented teachers take charge, continuing to enhance our students' swimming abilities throughout the term.
The local community can also enjoy the pool facilities outside of school hours by purchasing a summer subscription and key from our office.
Excursions, Camps & The Arts
Waikaka year 7 & 8 students are involved in technology lessons at Māruawai College Junior Campus four Tuesdays per term.
Being our older students, they are also involved in our Country Schools programme joined by other local schools: Te Tipua, Otama and Knapdale, where they have experiences with specific topics including pubertal change, DARE, careers information and more. They also get to go on camp every second year together, currently to Deep Cove.
Our Year 5-8s go on a school camp every second year to places around Southland and Otago.
Every second year our school students learn and perform a school musical production featuring the entire school.
