Literacy 

At Tawa Intermediate we explore the writing process through various engaging writing activities. We use explicit teaching with exemplars and modelling to show learners what successful writing looks like. We kickstart our reading programme with library orientations then read a variety of texts throughout the year to build comprehension skills and reading culture. There is also a focus on spelling, handwriting, and typing practice as part of our literacy programme. 

It's incredibly important that your child reads for at least 15 minutes at home each day to support their ongoing progress. Research shows that students who read for more than 15 minutes a day outside school encounter approximately 13.7 million words between ECE and Year 13. Students reading less that 15 minutes encounter just 1.5 million words. Those 12 million extra words result in a larger vocabulary, better reading comprehension, and academic confidence across every subject. Audio books can be used to supplement reading at home.

How you can help at home

Maths

At Tawa Intermediate, mathematics teaching is centered on curiosity, problem-solving and building a deep conceptual understanding of the subject. Students are encouraged to think, discuss, test ideas and learn from their mistakes, rather than simply follow a set procedure. 

Lessons are built around rich, engaging problems that are ‘low floor, high ceiling’ - they are accessible to all learners but can be extended in many directions, allowing students to work at an appropriate level of challenge. Through collaboration, questioning and reflection, students develop confidence as mathematicians and learn to explain their thinking clearly.

We use approaches inspired by Building Thinking Classrooms, where students work together on carefully chosen tasks, share strategies and build understanding through active participation. Teachers guide learning through purposeful questioning, observation and timely support, helping students make connections between mathematical ideas. 

Our teaching approach values both fluency and reasoning, ensuring students can not only find answers but also understand the underlying patterns and relationships. Our goal is for every learner to see mathematics as useful, creative and empowering, and to develop the skills, confidence and perseverance needed for future learning.

How you can help at home