Malfroy School Programmes

Montessori
Montessori at Malfroy Malfroy School has two classes where the programme is based on Montessori philosophy. Learning is child-centred and child-directed, based on the child's interests and needs. Room 14 is for 6 - 9 year old students and Room 15 is for students aged 9 - 12 years. To observe either of these classrooms, please contact the teachers through the Malfroy School office.
You can find more information about our classes here.
You can learn more about Montessori education, especially in New Zealand on the website at www.montessori.org.nz If you would like further information about Montessori at Malfroy, feel free to collect an information pack from the school office.
The Rotorua Montessori Primary Trust holds an annual event usually in November, Tour-de-Lake-Front. The event features a cycle course for 5-12 year olds starting at the Village Green at the Lake front along with a bike obstacle course. Emphasis is placed on participation and completion, as opposed to competition. Participants receive a medal and a certificate on completion. Visit the website for more information: www.tourdelakefront.com

SCPAP (School Community Physical Activity Project)
Malfroy School anmd its wider community actively promote the participation of all children in quality physical education programmes. Throughout 2006 and 2007, staff members have been involved in the Ministry of education initiative that aims to have all New Zealanders improving their overall physical wellbeing, by choosing to include more physical activity in their daily lives. Our games centres approach ensures children are having fun while learning movement and social skills, developing strategies and tactics that enhance the quality of games, and continuing lifelong participation in, and enjoyment of, physical activity.

Transition to School
Three and four year olds are welcome to attend a Wednesday afternoon session held in one of the school classrooms. The programme includes early literacy and numeracy and the routines expected when childern begin school for the first time. The programme runs from 1.30-3.00pm. Parents may enrol their children for this programme at the school office. A parent/caregivers booklet is available.

Literacy
Two teacher aides are employed for 20 hours per week to support the literacy of students who have not yet reached the benchmark for their year. Currently this is a partnership between Ngati Whakaue Education Endowment Trust and Malfroy School. Students receive tuition in groups of two in spelling, reading and writing. The programme runs for 20 weeks and for 30 minutes four days a week.

Top School
Every year, in late November, Malfroy School hosts the Rotorua Top School competition. All primary and intermediate schools in the Rotorua region are invited to enter a team of 12 senior students in the Top School Competition and the children participate in a variety of competitive cooperative games during the day. There is also a cheer leading competition and schools are also encouraged to enter a team in this competition. The Rotorua Top School competition commenced in 2002 and every year, the number of competing teams has grown. Entry forms are sent out to school in Term 3. It’s a great family day out with stalls, activities, fun and action. Top School 2007 will be held on Sunday 25th November at Malfroy School.

Life Education
Malfroy School values the Life Education programme and we know that all our students benefit from having this programme available to them. The staff work closely with the Life Education co-ordinator to provide programmes that are relevant and meaningful for our students. The Life Education programme comes to Malfroy School every year. The programme that the children will do for Life Education is determined by their year level and their previous learning.

Swimming
Many of our students spend their summers in and on, our local lakes, rivers and streams so the swimming programme offered at Malfroy School, focuses on water safety. Every child has the opportunity to take part in the Unison Swimsafe programme, held at the Rotorua Aquatic Centre with qualified instructors. The Swimsafe programme is held over three weeks in Term 3 and the children have the opportunity to learn basic swimming skills, instruction in the use of life jackets, kayak safety and deep water survival techniques.

‘Seasons’
The ‘Seasons’ programme is a grief counselling programme available to any student at Malfroy School that may be in need of this type of support. The programme is free to students and is run over a 10 week period with the children attending one session each week with a qualified counsellor. If you think that your child may benefit from taking part in the Season’s programme, please inform your child’s teacher.


Education Out of the Classroom (E.O.T.C)
All of our students have the opportunity to have teaching and learning experiences outside of the classroom. For our junior students, these are usually day trips in and about our local region. In past years junior classes have visited zoo’s, museums, the snow, Kelly Tarltons, Waitomo Caves, Maketu Rock Pools as well as many of our local Rotorua attractions. Our students in Year 3-5 have the opportunity to stay overnight (1-3 nights) either locally or a little further afield and our senior students have a major camp of up to 4 nights away. Parents/caregivers will be advised well in advance of any trip that is planned for their child’s class and will have the opportunity to met with the class teacher to discuss the Outdoor Education programme.

Ambassadors
The ambassadors are a team of 20 students given leadership opportunities at year 6 within Malfroy School. They are nominated by staff and peers and are interviewed for the job. They are involved in meeting and greeting visitors, helping with junior and middle school classes on wet playtimes and lunchtimes, helping give out “smilies” at lunch times, and representing the school when student representation is required. This year they have run 2 lunch time disco’s and are planning a mini Gala. They are soon to be involved in the lunch time recycling programme. Many are Dynamos as well and are involved in helping with lunch time sport.

Dynamos
There are 24 dynamos who work closely with the ambassadors. They are trained in being able to organise and run lunch time games for the Junior, Middle and Senior students .