Base Juniors and Seniors (Te Uru Matua)

Junior Classes (Te Purapura)

At Kōwhai Specialist Base School (Base School), we have 3 junior classes catering for around six students in each classroom. Each class has one Teacher and at least two Teacher Aides. We work collaboratively with whānau to ensure that your young person settles into their new learning space where they are supported by our caring staff to be introduced to a structured and personalised approach to their learning, supporting their immersion into the New Zealand   Curriculum.

We aim to provide a warm, caring environment for our children, some of whom have become used to a preschool setting, and some for whom being away from home is a totally new experience. Students are supported to adjust to the school setting and work towards their unique potential, and to see themselves as school-aged learners.

Our Junior classes have full and varied timetables to cater for the range of learning needs we have in our Base School classes, from sensory to emergent learners. As well as our core learning activities, we include swimming in our own heated therapeutic pool, horse riding at Hastings Riding for the Disabled, and some outings in the community. Communication, as in all areas of our kura, is a focus for all learners when they enrol at Kōwhai. Individualised programmes are supported by our therapists, who assess the needs of our students to provide goals and activities to support student access to learning. 

We understand that starting school for the first time can feel like a big step. We are here to guide you through the process and keep you up to date with your child’s learning journey. We welcome visits from whānau as we work closely with you ensure school is a positive experience for students and their whānau.

Base Seniors 

Located at Kōwhai Base School, neighbouring our Therapy Team’s office, we have an additional senior classroom. There is one Teacher with a flexible number of Teaching Aides that reflect the needs of the students. Students catered to in this classroom space can vary in age, with multiple school levels, we can be considered as a cross-syndicate learning environment.

We cater for a wide variety of abilities and requirements in this space, so each student has a personalised programme based on their unique and specific needs. Just as any Kōwhai classroom, students are encouraged to reach their full potential by having support in self-regulation, aided by the access to their spacious and serene garden/playground. We are strongly supported by the professional knowledge of our therapist team who lead activities and lend support to access the community.

Like the Base Juniors, we promote engagement in core learning areas by designing learning that provides an irresistible curriculum for each student. We model and extend students’ communication capabilities and immerse them in sensory experiences to enhance involvement and active participation in their learning. We too, have access to the heated Therapeutic Pool and go on outings to access our local community. We also have the privilege of enjoying The Hastings Central School gymnasium and bike track.