 Information regarding your child's transition to Year 7 |
Kia ora e te whānau,
Welcome to Middle School!
A natural nervousness surrounds any transition or change in the lives of our young people. The move from the Primary spaces at Twizel Area School (or another Primary School) and into the big world of the Middle and Senior Spaces can be confronting!
To ensure a smooth transition we aim, across the Middle School weeks, months and years, to:
- Provide opportunities for students to experience a sense of belonging and inclusion in school programmes and activities
- Ensure our highly skilled teachers understand your child’s interests, and recognise their strengths and areas in need of development
- Ensure students feel their culture is valued and acknowledged
- Offer opportunities to try out new interests and skills
- Help students make and reinforce progress academically
- Assist students to envision where their learning pathway leads into and beyond secondary school
Once the initial nerves have passed, they’ll rapidly feel settled into their new routines and be making and maintaining relationships with their teachers and peers.
We honour your child’s transition by creating a transition pathway that includes visits and opportunities for students to ask questions and participate in discussions with teachers. Student learning portfolios are transferred to their new teachers. In addition to this, we have created a general document to describe the A-Z of the school, this may help with parent questions and can be found here: A-Z Whānau Guide to Twizel Area School
reflects the progression from Primary to Middle School. The school day involves a mix of small group, individual and whole class learning opportunities. Students have more freedom to move around the school from class to class, but retain the security of the key homeroom teacher. At the core of all school learning is developing key competencies and honouring our school values.
We’re very much looking forward to welcoming our new students to the Middle School and wish them every success for their transition. Further documents attached to this transition pack give detail of contacts for any questions and queries. Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have, or to arrange a meeting with the Middle School team, if necessary.
He waka eke noa,
Kate Staniford
Tumuaki | Principal |
Transition to Year 7This is an exciting time of your life; a time of transition, of growing in maturity and in your learning. This information will help you feel informed and so more confident as you start your Middle School learning journey. | |  |
|
School StationerySchool stationery will be available at OfficeMax MySchool soon. You don't have to buy your school stationery through MySchool, you can also use the attached lists to purchase online or in-store at a stationery store of your choice.
| |  |
TAS UniformTwizel Area School uniform information can be found here, including links to purchase online. Samples are available at the School Office for sizing purposes, along with some secondhand uniforms.
| |  |
|
Middle School OptionsStudents in Years 7-10 have the opportunity to choose optional subjects for their timetable, to study as well as the core subjects of English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Physical Education and Health, Art and Technology.
Options in past years have included Robotics, Film Making, Sculpture, and Adventure Racing. | |  |
|
Sample TimetableThe attached timetable is an example of how a student's week in Year 7 will look. Don’t worry, your teachers will help you and you will soon understand the timetable. | |  |
|
Student Digital PortfolioStudents from Years 1-10 use the online platform Seesaw, a digital portfolio that empowers students to showcase what they’re learning at school. Find out how Seesaw is used by students in class and by caregivers at home. | |  |
|
Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)Information regarding BYOD devices, where to buy them and required specifications can be found here. | |  |
|
Parent PortalTwizel Area School uses the KAMAR Student Management System. Using our app and web portal, caregivers are able to report absences, check student results & attendance, view reports and much more! | |  |
|
WAKA ValuesOur WAKA values of Whānaukataka, Awhinataka, Kaitiakitaka, and Ārahi are acknowledged with physical and digital WAKA Cards. | |  |
|
|
