At Mission Heights Primary School, we believe learning should be engaging, challenging, purposeful, and personalised.
Our vision is "Growing Excellence through innovative, constantly evolving personalised learning." We aim to provide learning experiences that recognise the strengths, interests, needs, and aspirations of every learner.
We encourage students to take an active role in their learning, develop independence, think critically and creatively, and apply their knowledge and skills to real-world situations.
Our curriculum provides students with opportunities to develop knowledge, skills, and understanding across all areas of learning.
We support students to:
become confident and capable learners;
think critically and creatively;
communicate effectively;
collaborate with others;
make connections between their learning and the world around them;
develop independence and learner agency.
At Mission Heights Primary School, we recognise that every learner has different strengths, needs and ways of learning.
Our teachers work with families, Learning Assistants and external specialists where appropriate to provide support that helps students participate fully and achieve success.
Leader of Learning - SENCO
adelluta@mhp.school.nz
Our SENCO coordinates learning support across the school and works with teachers, students and whānau to help ensure appropriate support is in place.
If you have questions about learning support for your child, please contact the school office.
09 277 7888
ACE is our curriculum enrichment programme, designed to personalise learning by responding to students' abilities, curiosities and essential learning needs.
ACE runs on Tuesdays and Fridays from 11:30am–12:30pm and is available to all students.
Students can explore interests, develop strengths, consolidate learning and try new experiences through a wide range of activities, including:
Science and technology
Music and art
Languages
Sports and physical skills
Dance and cultural activities
Wellbeing
Environmental programmes
Project-based learning
Academic competitions
Other student-led interests and passions
ACE programmes change throughout the year based on student interests and the strengths of our staff and wider community.
Music is an important part of learning at Mission Heights Primary School, providing students with opportunities to develop creativity, confidence, collaboration and musical skills.
Students in Years 2–6 have a weekly specialist music lesson. Learning includes singing, instruments, movement, rhythm, composition, improvisation and music theory.
Students can also participate in a range of musical groups, including:
MHP Orchestra
An auditioned senior ensemble performing on percussion and other instruments at school and community events.
Starling Orchestra
An ensemble developing students' listening, rhythm and ensemble skills and preparing students for more advanced orchestral opportunities.
MHP Choir
An auditioned choir for Years 3–6, performing at school events and music festivals.
Chamber Orchestra
An ensemble for students who play orchestral instruments outside school.
Digital learning at MHP goes beyond using computers. Students use technology to create, problem-solve, code, explore robotics and work with data.
Teachers use a range of digital tools to support learning, creativity and collaboration, while students develop the skills to become confident, independent and responsible users of technology.
Year 6 students have the option to bring a Chromebook to school to support their learning.
Mission Heights Primary School is a diverse and multicultural community, and we value the languages, cultures and identities that our students bring to school.
Our English language learning programme provides additional support for students who are developing English as an additional language. Students may receive support through classroom programmes, small-group learning and our ESOL ACE programme.
We also recognise the importance of maintaining and using students' home languages. Being bilingual or multilingual is a strength, and we encourage students to use their languages as part of their learning and identity.
English language learners participate in a weekly ESOL ACE programme designed to support their individual language-learning needs through practical, engaging and hands-on experiences.
At MHP, sustainability is part of everyday learning. We encourage students to understand their role as kaitiaki and to make choices that have a positive impact on our environment.
Our students learn through practical experiences such as:
Gardening and growing food
Caring for our butterfly garden and beehives
Recycling and waste management
Worm farms and composting
Growing and using produce
Learning about sustainability and our environment
Working together through our Enviro Team
Our students are encouraged to take action, share their knowledge and help create a more sustainable future.
Our Garden to Table programme takes learning beyond the classroom and into the garden and kitchen.
Available to students in Years 2–6, the programme develops practical life skills while connecting learning to sustainability, food, science and healthy living.
Students learn to:
grow and harvest food;
prepare and cook meals;
use kitchen tools safely;
weigh and measure ingredients;
explore the science of food;
understand seasonal growing;
work collaboratively;
share and enjoy food together.
A typical session includes time in both the garden and kitchen, followed by sharing the food students have prepared.
Garden to Table provides authentic opportunities for students to apply their classroom learning in real-world contexts.