It has been a busy start to the new term in the middle school, welcoming the new intake of international Year 4 learners into our school. Their arrival offers a rich opportunity for our current learners to practice respecting others, one of our key values of Owairoa Primary School, which emphasizes working together and understanding diverse perspectives.
Our Year 4 learners are growing in oral language, reading, writing, and maths, all while collaborating and connecting with their new peers. The integration of our international students has been seamless. They’ve settled in beautifully, embracing the “Kiwi way” of learning through integration and with their “Kiwi buddies”. The existing learners are learning firsthand what it means to be welcoming and to celebrate different cultures, nationalities, and worldviews, all while making us proud of their easy effort and empathy towards our new learners.
Everyone on the team is delighted: the international students are enjoying the balance of structured learning and collaborative exploration, while our Year 4 children are gaining confidence in making new friends and working respectfully across cultures.
Let’s continue to nurture this environment, where children learn not only academic skills, but also how to honour difference, welcome newcomers, and grow together as one school whānau.
