LEARNING @ TIS
At Tauranga Intermediate School we have a well developed, localised curriculum that promotes collaboration, thinking skills, key competencies, social action and strong links to the local community.
Our learning model is called the TIS Inquiry Model. Students explore a topic through the four stages of the Inquiry Model to deepen their thinking and learning about a topic. The Inquiry Model is built to contain the core elements of learning. It provides a pathway to enable students to look at an issue or task and then work their way through to understanding and resolution. This model can be used with varying levels of student ownership from teacher-directed through to student-led inquiries.
Students explore our community, Aotearoa and the world beyond through our TIS Inquiry Roadmaps. These roadmaps reflect our localised curriculum. They are conceptual, theme based learning roadmaps (developed by our teachers) that are engaging for students and explore. The roadmaps use our Inquiry Model to guide the learning and the process.
We have 6 different TIS Inquiry Roadmaps to explore over the two years while at TIS.
Our six Roadmaps are:
- Tūrangawaewae - A Place to Stand
- Te Taiao - The Natural Environment
- Panoni - Changes in Our World
- Whakawhanaungatanga - Relating to Others
- Kimihia Kia Taea - Explore Your Potential
- Kohinga Putea - To be Enterprising, Financially Literate, Productive and Resilient
Our TIS Curriculum is consistent with:
- the developmental stages of emerging adolescents.
- the vision and strategic direction of the Tauranga Peninsula Kahui Ako - Community of Learning (COL).
- the vision and strategic direction of Tauranga Intermediate School.
The Narrative Behind the TIS Curriculum Image
Central to the image is a waka hourua (double hulled waka). This symbolises the waka of our region, Tākitimu and Mataatua and their Rangatira.
The double hull of the waka reflects the dual curriculums (NZC and Te Marautanga). Education at TIS is based on both of these.
The waka hourua sits balanced and stable on Tauranga Moana, reflecting a sense of belonging that is nurtured through a focus on Toka Tū Moana.
The Learning Model displays the language of our Inquiry Model, reflecting the ongoing nature of inquiry. Ākonga can articulate their learning, including next steps, at each stage of the learning model.
The tikanga of Individuals, whānau, class, house, school and the wider community generate the wind to sail our waka hourua. This allows our ākonga to explore and achieve, therefore reaching the STARS.
To reach the stars, ākonga must have their kete of key competencies, continually developing these in a range of situations.
Learning at TIS is underpinned by the following:
- Rich, engaging and future-focused concepts - including authentic and place based learning supported by guided inquiry
- The development of student agency and ownership of learning.
- Explicit Reading, Writing and Maths teaching.
- Regular, quality physical activity - PE, sports and EOTC programmes.
- Diversity of experience - multiple and varied opportunities.
- Priority learners - identification and targeted actions to accelerate achievement.
- Culturally responsive practice - supported by staff PLD.
- E-learning - the smart use of ICT so value is added to the learning experience.
- Routines, systems and structures.
- The use of quality data to track student progress and inform teaching and learning practices.
TE WHĀNAU Ō TE MARO
MATAI
The official name for the Māori Bilingual Unit of Matai House is: Te Whānau ō Te Maro. Te Whānau ō Te Maro is a syndicate made up of six classes - combined Year 7 and 8. Students are placed in classes consistent with their level of competence in Te Reo me ōna Tikanga Māori.
E noho ana au i te roro wharenui ō Te Maro
Taku rāta whakamarumaru
Kā ānga atu aku mata ki Mauao whaka iringa kupu whaka iringa kū, whaka iringa tapu ō tuawhakarere
Ka huri taku titiro ki Te Rengarenga, ka rongo rā i te pūrepo e
Haruru mai rā ki runga ō Pukereia, ō Pukehinahina
Rū ruku, rū rangi, rū ai, rū ai
Rukuhia Waikāreao, Pūea ake ko Otamataha
Mōenga kura ō te tini, mōenga rau ō te mano
E pāri te tai ki Taumata Kahawai
E pari rā Te Awanui Ka ū ki Hāwaiki, ka ū ki Motuopuhi
Kei tua kō Te Ruatuna
Kei runga te ūnga ō taku haere
Kei Te Maro te one mākuru, whakatipu i te kai, whakatipu i te tangata
E kōkō i a e ara e
Whakatauki - "Ko au te kākano e kai nei i te mātauranga kia rangatira taku tū mō te ao o anamatā".
"I am the seed that feeds off life to uphold my strength for the future ahead".
Our philosophy is to prepare students to:
- Lead confidently as Māori
- Participate collaboratively as Māori
- Respectfully adapt to challenges and contribute to our society as Māori
- Work to their full potential
- Develop a sense of pride in themselves
- Hold fast to their Māoritanga
- Up-skill themselves in Mathematics and English both in Te Reo Māori and English
Te Whānau ō Te Maro offers students an opportunity to learn Te Reo me ōna Tikanga in a secure Māori learning environment with full marae facilities and classrooms.
Kapa Haka is a compulsory component for students in Te Whānau ōTe Maro and there is an opportunity to be selected for annual regional competitions to qualify for Nationals every two years.
CWSA
Children with Special Abilities. Totara House is a special character house for high-achieving academic students. It is well suited for students who enjoy being academically challenged and who are self-motivated for academic learning in a fast-paced, high-expectations learning environment.
Totara House students will participate in a range of programmes in addition to the school curriculum, including:
- Future Problem Solving NZ
- Science Fair
- Otago University Mathematics Problem Solving
- Elsie Locke Writing Competition
- Intermediate Writers’ Essay Competition
- Mandarin Language Lessons
- Weekly homework
Totara students are often creatively gifted and we have many musicians, actors, writers, artists, computer programmers, 2nd language speakers and chess players amongst us. We achieve well in sport across a range of codes.
We aim for Totara House students to feel that they can be themselves and have a sense of belonging amongst like-minded peers.
TECHNOLOGY & SPECIALIST CLASSES
At Tauranga Intermediate students have the unique opportunity to participate in technology and specialist classes in a rotation throughout the year. Here they design, create, problem solve and learn specific practical skills.
LANGUAGES
Te Reo Māori
Students can take Te Reo Māori lessons over and above what is taught in their classes.
Mandarin
Everyone has the opportunity to learn Mandarin during their time at Tauranga Intermediate.