Academic
Hereworth caters for children of all learning abilities: the confident scholarship candidate, the steady trier and the struggling boy with learning concerns, which require support programmes. The main core subjects of English, Maths, Science and Social Studies are emphasised, as confidence is built from an early age, knowing that a boy’s self-esteem is paramount to his progress and will accelerate learning.
We believe in giving the boys as much one-to-one time as possible - our small classes are divided into smaller groups for many of our work activities. We believe in motivating and challenging all our students and consequently there is an emphasis on boys doing the best that they can do and working to their potential. Above all, we believe in a disciplined approach to learning, where all students take a positive pride in their work. Classrooms must at the same time be dynamic places of learning, with an atmosphere that encourages an enjoyment of work. The experience of gaining knowledge, we believe, should be an exciting and stimulating one.
Annual competitions in essay writing, speeches, oral reading and short story writing, provide a healthy academic challenge for all boys. Our aim is to nurture a boy who, when he leaves Hereworth, has a clear understanding of both his strengths and weaknesses and has established a passion for learning.
By believing in himself, the Hereworth boy will have the confidence to participate in the widest range of experiences at his secondary school.
Small classes, with opportunities for individual attention and for the expansion of capabilities, are considered of prime importance.
The whole spectrum of academic ability is catered for. The bright boy will find his talents stretched. In the more academic class he may study with a selected group for the purpose of sitting a scholarship to a senior independent school. Hereworth has a fine record of success in these academic awards and scholarships.
The boy needing help will find it in small groups, or even one-to-one, several times a week under the supervision of a trained remedial teacher.
The curriculum, while following the Guidelines of the National NZ Curriculum, is broad-based, meeting the varying demands of the many different schools to which Hereworth boys proceed.
Curriculum
The individual needs of our boys are paramount to effective learning.
Our curriculum is broad and challenging to cater for the varying needs of every pupil, however considerable emphasis is placed on achieving the highest possible standards in Numeracy and Literacy. The curriculum uses the Guidelines of the National NZ Curriculum as its minimum basis but provides extension and supplementary programs at all levels. All Key Learning Areas: English, The Arts, Health and Physical Education, Mathematics and Statistics, Learning Languages, Science, Social Science and Technology are included in our curriculum. In addition to this, specialist Technology, Information Communication Technology, Outdoor Experiences and Religious Studies are also include across all age levels.
The personal development of each child is of paramount importance and boys are encouraged to have high self-esteem and to be self-motivated. Boys with ability in leadership, intellectual, artistic, musical or physical areas are given equal opportunities to extend themselves.
There is an emphasis on relating our teaching methods to the age related needs of boys. An example of this is a focus on Enquiry Based Learning with the junior boys, through to senior boys sitting exams in preparation for secondary education. Emphasis, in our small classes, is placed on providing a warm and caring environment in which all boys can flourish. The progress of individual boys is monitored carefully and regularly throughout their time at Hereworth.
The experience of gaining knowledge, we believe, should be an exciting and stimulating one. Here at Hereworth, boys are given as much opportunity to take direction and ownership for their learning as possible - the result being a resilient independent learner.
"All learning and teaching programmes are firmly based on the New Zealand curriculum, the school's special character and the community's aspirations, so that students experience an education that is specifically ‘designed for boys'. As a consequence, a wide range of teaching strategies, learning opportunities and resources, successfully capture boys' interests, and engage them in highly motivating experiences."
ERO Report June 2007
Technology
Hereworth opened its award-winning, purpose-built Technology and Performing Arts building in 2007. The Izard Block houses six customized spaces for both specialist and classroom learning. Each room has state-of-the-art facilities and air-conditioning.
The Café - Food Technology centre
D'zign Studio - Soft Materials and design work
The Shed - Hard Materials rooms accommodating Wood and Plastic Technologies
Sound X'press - Music, Drama, and Dance studio
FX Workshop - iMac suite
The Power House - PC suite
Every student at Hereworth is involved in Technology learning from Year 1 to Year 5 within their classroom programme. Classes use Izard Block when activities are best held in a purpose built space. The Middle Syndicate introduces Robotics Technology as part of their Technology programme.
A specialist Technology programme is provided for students in Year 6 to Year 8. Four specialist strands are offered in Technology - Food Technology, Soft Materials, Media Studies and Hard Materials. Student numbers are kept low giving students optimum support and access to equipment throughout each session.
Design and planning plays an integral role in the learning process and emphasis is placed on allowing boys as much time as possible to engage with machinery, tools, appliances and resources while pursuing their intended outcomes. Every Hereworth boy will develop hands-on skills to - communicate creatively through visual media; make a range of both simple and complex food dishes; machine-sew wearable clothing items; cut and join wood, cut and shape plastics, paint and resin objects. Every Technology strand and Year level focuses on a particular product or outcome, carefully considered to fully engage boys' interest.
"Newer developments, such as the purpose-built technology block, exemplify the Board's ongoing commitment to providing high quality work and learning environments for students and staff. Educational opportunities are significantly enhanced through these ongoing refurbishments and major building upgrades. Students benefit from the high quality, purpose built environments for specialist programmes, particularly in technology and the arts."
ERO Report - June 2007
Assessment
Quality feedback is arguably the most important aspect of an effective teaching and learning process. At Hereworth individuals are regularly assessed across all curriculum areas using a variety of preparative (prior to unit of work starting) formative (throughout the unit being studied) and summative (end of the unit being studied) strategies.
In addition, boys from Year Four onwards sit exams in a range of curriculum areas at mid year and towards the end of each year. Learning to take these formalised exams/tests in a supportive environment is an important skill for the high school years ahead, as well as giving both boys and their teachers’ valuable feedback.
School reports are sent to all families twice a year. There are also three formalised opportunities for teacher/parent interviews each year. If families require feedback on their sons’ progress outside of the scheduled meeting times, staff are very receptive to additional parent meetings during the year.
Student Leadership
Student leadership is developed from the time boys first enter Hereworth, through a number of individual, small group, class and whole school opportunities culminating in Year Eight when every boy has the opportunity to take on a leadership position that helps with the running of the school. Examples of these positions include; house leaders, prefects, librarians, squad leaders, technology specialists, choir leaders, dorm leaders, art monitors, junior school monitors, school council members and sports captains.
Leadership development is class and syndicate based for the younger boys and during Year Seven, boys participate in a three day growing leaders camp in preparation for their Year Eight responsibilities.
Key Student Leaders for 2012:
Head Boy: Tom Mackisack
Deputy Head Boys: Ben Aitken, Zahn Philip
Prefects:
Head Chorister: Jack B Warren
Deputy Head Chorister:
Captains of Summer Sport: (cricket), (tennis), (softball)
Captains of Winter Sport: (hockey), (rugby), (football)
House Captains:
Elder: Ben Aitken, Campbell Hantler Grant: Harry Young, Campbell Tait
Reeve: Cameron Lee, Tom Webb
Rickard: Sam Hill, Freddy Kittow