IT'S A hive of industry at Castlecliff School.
The classes are in and the sounds of small children giggling, big children reading aloud and teachers talking in calm, measured voices, orchestrate a keen school in session.
There is an energy in this school which once had a roll of 350
children 10 years ago, and now has just 88 students.
Principal Kath Martin said it's a sign of the times with falling rolls at schools throughout New Zealand.
``But we did have 18 new entrants this year which was fantastic, so we're really pretty healthy and growing,'' she said.
The smaller number of children at Castlecliff has meant more space and one of the empty classrooms is now a dedicated art room much loved by all the children, Ms Martin said. ``And these children do some wonderful artwork.''
She admits that one of her passions for the school is gathering in resources to give her pupils every advantage towards their learning.
``I'm very good at applying for grants for my school.''
Ms Martin, with a grant from the Wanganui Community Foundation, has employed an art teacher to develop a mural for the school.
The mural has particular significance to the school and features four large panels each illustrating a letter from the school's MANA programme.
The programme that was introduced this year involves teachers, students and parents. ``We're all working together to define what our school stands for and what is important to us.''
The four panels feature:
M: Manaakitanga _ showing respect, looking after each other.
A: Akomanga _ teaching and learning.
N: Nge hau e Wha _ from all corners, we include everyone for we are all special.
A: Attitude _ be positive and courageous.
Artist Bruce Phillips who is also a teacher, works one morning a week with groups of children to develop each panel.
The design of the panels took weeks to perfect but two panels are now completed, one more is ready to be painted with the fourth panel being finished by the end of the year.
``It's more than painting a few panels though, it's been a valuable learning experience. Being involved has meant students have not only identified with their culture, it's boosted their self- esteem and they've become a team. It's really given us something to be very proud of.''
The aim of the 2011 mural project was ultimately to produce six mural panels to be hung across the south western wall of the school, Ms Martin said.
And with the school fostering tuakana-teina older children supporting younger children the spirit of the school was working well, she said.
``We really are a school with heart. We have wonderful children here children from different backgrounds, children who say what they think, are very caring and always interesting. There's always a lot of laughter round here. Our children are so original and outspoken ... it's great.''
The staff all agree. At a special morning tea for their teacher aide workers, their smiles and nods when asked about the children said it all.
``They're always interesting,'' one said.
``They always surprise us ... in good and sometimes not so good ways,'' said another smothering a grin.
``They love being here and they're so honest about what they think like they tell it how it really is ... it's just great'', a third teacher said.
And it's not only the kids that love coming to school.
New entrants teacher Jason Brewer has now returned to Castlecliff School where he was schooled and says he's happy.
``I always loved this school and I trained as teacher so that I could one day come back here and give something back to my community.''
Caretaker James Clare has lived in Castlecliff most of his life, is also a former pupil of the school and now two of his three children are there as well.
``The thing is about this school are the terrific kids. They love to talk to you, they love helping out and I know when I was here how much I loved being here as well. I'm just so happy to be working here ... it's awesome.''
A line of 5 and 6-year-old pupils suddenly appear trotting behind their teachers across the quadrangle. They sway, chat and wave and look like a team of little ducklings off on an exciting adventure.
The big students are all in class clustered around work tables absorbed and into their day. In every classroom we were greeted with bright-eyed kids keen to find out about us. But the minute there was slightest bit of disarray ... one command of hands on heads from their teacher and the whole room snapped to it with wide grins.
As well as their daily class work these pupils also a work in a marvellous IT suite with 18 desktop computers.
Or there's time out in the school's spacious library and in the summer there is a large swimming pool as well as a fully equipped much loved adventure playground.
The ethos of the school is very hands-on, Ms Martin said.
``All the staff really care about the children and want them to succeed and look forward to a great future.''
The school community was tight-knit, she said.
``Because our children are very diverse, we get a lot of different perspectives which makes life and teaching here always exciting.''
Jumping through a few hoops is all part of a day at Castlecliff school.
``It's never boring, it's always stimulating and we're moving ahead with great plans ... it's really good and I feel very lucky to be the head of this fine school.''-->-->-->-->
IT'S A hive of industry at Castlecliff School.
The classes are in and the sounds of small children giggling, big children reading aloud and teachers talking in calm, measured voices, orchestrate a keen school in session.
There is an energy in this school which once had a roll of 350
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