Woodhill School is a state co-educational school that caters for children from Year 0 to Year 8. It is situated in a semi-rural setting on State Highway 16, approximately thirty kilometres from Auckland, around half-way between Waimauku and Helensville.
The school has a long history and its traditions make the school unique and special within the community of Woodhill. The school originated in April 1877, but has been rebuilt 4 times, most recently, in 2008. We now have a new 8 classroom block, (including a school hall) and a new administration block. A new adventure playground, sandpit and covered eating area open out to a field and gardens which are currently being upgraded.
The school is well resourced, with strong B.O.T. and community support. The school is made up of a Junior Syndicate, catering for Year 0 to 4, the Senior Syndicate that caters for students from Year 5 to 8 with a current school roll is just over 140 children.
Most students come from the Woodhill and Helensville District and travel to school, by bus or private transport. The parents and caregivers show a great interest in their children’s education and are very supportive of their school in many ways.
Woodhill School has an open door policy and enjoys positive community interaction. Te Reo is taught to all students via a Maori tutor who also trains our Kapa Haka group.The Arts are treasured at Woodhill School and we enjoy a high level of teaching, learning and performance. Stop by one Friday afternoon and witness one of our legendary assemblies.
The school has embraced the National Standards and New Curriculum as two seperate, yet very complimentary frameworks. To this end we have a fully operation Inquiry based approach to our teaching and learning that is paved with clear indicators and milestones along the way.
Outdoor activities, Calf Club, camps and trips are an important part of the yearly calendar as are interschool sports activities, and external educational problem solving challenges. Woodhill School children perform extremely well at these events and high behavioural expectations are always achieved. The students (and some of the teachers) wear the black and yellow school uniform.
A harmonious learning working environment is fundamental to high achievement. The Virtues Programme is an integral part of the school’s behaviour management plan and the children can articulate how this applies to their lives at school.
Woodhill School aims to enable students to be confident, connected and actively involved lifelong learners.
Staffing 2010
U3 Principal
Six Classroom Teachers
- 1 Deputy Principal – Junior Syndicate Leader
- 1 Syndicate Leader – Senior Syndicate
- 4 other classroom teachers (including 1 Beginning Teacher)
One part-time teacher – reading recovery and special needs
Full time Secretary – 37.5 hours per week - including financial responsibilities
One Caretaker – 15 hours per week
The school has access to a very well qualified pool of relieving teachers.
School Day
8.30-2.30p.m. with breaks for interval 10.20-10.40a.m. and lunch 12.30-1.15p.m.
ICT
Use of information and communication technologies is poised to take off. Recent upgrade of resources includes new cabling and server, one interactive whiteboard, 8 data projectors, digital cameras and video and between 2-6 computers in every room. The staff are very motivated to make full use of the improved level of ICT’s to support learning at the school.
