Huapai District School

Our school is rich in history of farming, strong community engagement and generational involvement. We work hard to retain the heart of our school in a changing and diversifying area. We hold important, children being children, having a go and getting a little muddy on the way.

We are intentional in providing opportunities for leadership, growth and character. Our farming (of the land mindset), our give it a go, and our great Kiwi ingenuity are things we want to protect and make special about our school. Our children mountain bike, climb trees, raft rivers and tramp our rich landscapes and (at times) get dirty. They have a voice and know they can make a difference in their lives and the lives of others.

We know a strong sense of identity and confidence is in the soil of our history and continues to bring great fruit measured by the quality of our graduates. We see our staff and our children positioned to pursue their very best, to thrive in an environment where they can bring their best and to celebrate the diversity this allows within our school. Achieving a “PB” (personal best) is a goal for our people in all situations.

Here at Huapai District School we are seeking to develop children who are confident and self assured in purpose, who carry a voice of positive influence and consistently deliver at their best.

They carry with them the confidence to have a go, to lead and to impact positively. They know how to work with others for a better outcome, they approach their learning with enthusiasm and display the hallmarks of a life long learner in being willing to take risks, and having the resilience and “grit” to not give up easily. They have a thirst for learning, they enquire, and they ask lots of questions. Above all else, they represent both themselves and the school with dignity, humility and pride.

Montessori at Huapai District School was established in 2005 through the collaboration of a dedicated group of parents, school management and the Board of Trustees. The Montessori Primary pedagogy is delivered with the support and structure of the main school environment and the New Zealand National Curriculum. The class is well integrated with the wider school community.

Huapai Plus is a Before & After school/holiday programme operated by Huapai District School out of the school Hall. We aim to provide a fun, safe & exciting environment to children aged 5-13 years old.

All new entrant children will be collected from class and brought back to the hall. A roll call will be done every day to make sure all children are accounted for. Parents of absentees will be contacted if the absentee has not previously been communicated.

At Huapai Plus we provide an afternoon tea every day to keep your children going. If your child/ren has food allergies or religious considerations please note these when enrolling and talk to the programme manager.

Huapai Plus will have a home work time Monday - Thursday for those children who have homework. Please talk to the programme manager about what your child/ren requires. Aged based activities ranging from baking to crafts to indoor/outdoor games and science experiments will be run each day, as well as free time to allow time for your children to be children.

We believe that a fit and healthy body helps maintain a fit and healthy mind.  At Huapai, all children participate in PE and sport on a regular basis.  We strongly believe in challenging children to strive for their own excellence in physical activity as these achievements act as anchor points for future learning. We start with the basic building blocks of physical movement and move through to adventure and risk. The PE year is full on with no sports off limits.  As well as the typical summer and winter codes each year, the children also experience gymnastics, lifejackets in school, mud running, squash, ninja warrior course, bike riding, tackle rugby, bull rush, our own mowatt cup teeball, running, playball, pickleball, climbing trees, elastics, skipping, water slides, bike ramps and generally being kids! Mud, bare feet, sweat and laughter are all par for the course here.