Learning's more fun in a tepee

Waiheke Primary School pupils enjoy their temporary classroom - a tepee loaned by a local resident. Picture / Paul Estcourt

A crisp new uniform, a shiny badge and a tepee for a classroom ... school has never been so cool for Waiheke Island youngsters.

No one seemed to mind when a new primary school opened on the island yesterday and its 10-classroom block was several weeks away from completion.

Instead, the new Waiheke Primary School opened for business in the long-disused Blackpool School.

The prospect of a squeeze on teaching space with 90 pupils and 10 teachers in the old school's single classroom and library was averted.

Some prefab classrooms were brought in and a resident helped out by erecting a traditional North American Indian-style tepee under the old oak trees.

Sitting round their teacher in a cosy tent was a happy experience for the school's Year 8 pupils yesterday and one envied by other children.

"It's a fun learning environment for groups and learning should be fun," said principal Maggie Twaddle.

She said the new school on Seaview Rd would be ready at the end of the first term and would help the existing Te Huruhi Primary School cope with the demand from the growing number of families on the island.

Parents and children feted the new school at a ceremony in which each pupil was given a badge showing the school's logo - designed by fathers Shayn Wills and Jan Ramp.

Pupils also have a uniform: three-quarter pants and white polo shirts, or girls can wear a "skort" - a skirt with shorts behind it.

Parent Lise Denize said uniforms were a good idea because young girls were fashion-conscious and a uniform eased the pressure on parents to continually buy new clothes.

The class were among the first of an estimated 758,300 New Zealand students beginning school this week. And while a sick day may have been tempting for some students reluctant to face the first day back at school, children with serious illnesses or injuries have made sure their lessons are booked in.

In their case, they'll be having lessons at home or in hospital with teachers from the Northern Health School.

The Telecom-sponsored school is responsible for ensuring sick children throughout the upper North Island continue learning when they are unable to attend their usual school for an extended period.

Principal Jim Craig said the school already had about 200 students on its roll for the start of this academic year.

"We're probably the only school which is pleased to have a low school roll, however, because it ultimately means fewer sick children."

The school has 30 teachers. They spend about two-thirds of their time teaching in children's homes and hospitals.

Meanwhile, there was little reluctance to face the first day back at Bayfield Primary School in Auckland's Herne Bay.

"I love school," said 6-year-old Alexander Reeve.

School maths

An estimated 758,300 New Zealand students return to school this week - about 4900 more than last year.

Final figures will not be available until March but it is expected total primary enrolments will be about 482,500, down by around 1700 on last year.

Secondary enrolments will be around 275,800, an increase of about 6600 on last year.