Physical Education
Golden Grove’s physical education curriculum is tailored to the needs of the children, and its success depends on a few simple guidelines to help create a fun, safe and effective learning environment.
Our physical education program has not only health benefits, but is an excellent outlet for every child’s natural energy. During the course of the curriculum children are helped to develop aquatic, ball, running, jumping, balance, rhythm and social skills.
The school also participates in inter-school sports competitions.
Music
Children will study the history of music, rhythm, pitch, musical instruments and composition, and learn to listen to music creatively.
Training in music is done in an atmosphere of group sharing, role-playing, playing instruments, acting out rhythms and singing. Group and individual lessons are offered in guitar and singing for an additional cost.
Theatre
Every year, Golden Grove School puts on a production for our school community, showcasing all of our students. We visit our local Onehunga theatre, The Dolphin Theatre, for a week of dress rehearsals and staging to prepare for our final show.
Our theatre training includes stage presence, voice, creative movement, drama, improvisation, set and costume design, as well as circus skills. Our school show provides a focus for these disciplines, which children truly enjoy.
Art
Children explore line, colour, tone and shapes through many mediums including sculpture, drawing, painting and collage.
Art education gives children a greater understanding of themselves, and helps to refine fine motor skills and give a means of communication and expression. Art is cross-curricular, and enhances learning in all other subjects.
At Golden Grove School artistic expression is celebrated and held in high esteem. It is our belief that if we as educators seek to foster excellence in all forms, we help to create well-rounded individuals who may one day inspire others with their innovative thinking, self-expression and creativity.
Practical Life
Practical life activities help children develop in a number of important ways.
Children at Golden Grove are given lessons in a range of practical life skills including:
- sewing
- woodwork
- cooking
- cleaning
- social etiquette
The classroom addresses the child’s need for increasing independence, motor skills and confidence. Practical life activities help children in lengthening attention span, increasing academic success, developing a sense of responsibility, increasing their ability to make judgments and decisions, and helping them to function and interact appropriately in society.
Technology
In today’s society, we recognize that it is important that children have access to technology when necessary, but more importantly that they recognize the responsible use of computerized devices. At Golden Grove we expose the students to technological concepts as much as possible on a sensorial level, especially in the grades 1-3. In grade 4 technology can be accessed if necessary. In grades 5-8, it may be considered part of the daily activities, although we still prefer to prioritize non-computer activities when possible.