Atawhai Manawa

Meet Our Staff Here

Atawhai Manawa is a newly established Specialist Learning Hub for learners with complex needs. This operates in partnership with Arahunga and Ramanui Schools. Ramanui School hosts the class and Arahunga School provides specialist teaching staff and programmes to meet the needs of the individual learners.

Who can learn at the Arahunga Specialist class at Ramanui School?

ORS students within the South Taranaki Region, who require a more Specialised Curriculum than is able to to be provided by their local schools, are eligible to be considered for enrolment in our Arahunga class.

The vast majority of ORS students in the Hawera area will continue to learn alongside their peers in their local schools, and access Specialist Teacher support from within their schools, or via Arahunga Outreach.
A small number of students who require highly specialist programmes will be considered for enrolment.
An enrolment in the Arahunga class gives learners an opportunity to work in small classes with a very high staff ratio. Our classes typically have 3 - 6 students with skilled and experienced teachers working alongside our support staff team.

What specialist Programmes are available for learners in the Arahunga Learning Hub?

We offer a small class with a very high teacher ratio. This means our learners have access to quality specialist programmes tailored to meet learners individual needs. Our programmes have a strong emphasis on the Key Competencies and communication.

Our team are passionate, committed and focused on engaging our students and supporting them to develop to their full potential. Our students are at the heart of all our work as we seek to work alongside whanau, to ensure our learners are nurtured and respected.

Specialist programmes operating within the learning hub are personalized to meet the needs of individual students and can include:

Literacy using the Coreboard
Literacy using the PODD
Early Mathematics Learning
Localised theme based curriculum based on Key Competencies
Sensory Integration - sensory stories and play based learning
Perceptual Motor Programme - PMP
Aquatics
Music Therapy
Sensory Drama and Arts

How to enroll at the Arahunga Class?

Families who wish to consider Arahunga Learning Hub as an educational option should contact the Arahunga Principal to discuss the needs of the learner.
Visits are encouraged to the Learning Hub to ensure that this is the best education option for the learner.
All potential enrolments at Arahunga School need to have a Section 37 pre-approved by the Ministry of Education. Once a Section 37 is approved the enrolment process for a placement at Arahunga can be completed.
Please contact the Principal, Shirley Wisnewski, to find out more about eligibility and the enrolment process (027 766 4465 or principal@welearn.school.nz)

What does inclusion look like at Ramanui School?

The partnership between Ramanui School and Arahunga School, means that all students are able to learn alongside each other and access all school learning activities.
Ramanui is a small whanau orientated school with a very strong Tuakana Teina approach. All students and teachers look after each other and all students are included in every aspect of school life.
Each student enrolled in the Arahunga Class has an individualised plan that includes opportunities to be included in class activities alongside their peers.
Natural and authentic inclusion happens naturally during the school day in the playground and in class. Ramanui students are typically very caring and look out for our learners who may need a little extra assistance.

How to enroll at Ramanui School and access the Arahunga Outreach Service?

Families who prefer that their students attend a mainstream class, can enroll at Ramanui School and still have access support from the learning center via the Arahunga Outreach Service.
An enrolled student at Ramanui School will be able to access the Arahunga class, but their primary educator will be the Ramanui mainstream class teacher.
These students can access the Outreach Specialist Teacher, either by in- class support or from time spent in the Arahunga class.
Any family can approach the Principal, Debbie Drake, at Ramanui School on 06 278 7412 to talk about an enrolment.

RDA (Riding for the Disabled)

RDA is a favourite activity for some of our learners in our Ramanui class.

We are lucky to have RDA located in the Hawera Showgrounds which means we are able to ride in any weather using the big indoor arena.

Our learners are supported by a fabulous team of passionate volunteers who patiently guide us patiently through our RDA learning experiences.

There are such a lot of learning that goes on during our RDA sessions.

How RDA helps (from RDA website)

The warmth and three-dimensional movement of the horse is the key therapy tool used in our RDA Groups. The movement of the horse is transmitted through the rider’s body, gradually making the rider more relaxed, improving muscle tone, as well as improving their balance, posture, and co-ordination. Our RDA sessions are designed to enhance and improve physical, psychological and social abilities as well as provide recreational and educational opportunities.

Therapeutic Horse Riding is a proven therapy that develops, improves and/or promotes many aspects such as:

Physical ability:

Muscle tone, balance, coordination.
Muscle strength, flexibility, fitness.
Posture, gait, ability to walk.
Respiration, circulation, metabolism.
Sensory perception and integration.
Independence, self-care and mobility.

Psychological ability:

Concentration, problem-solving and decision making.
Insight, motivation, self-worth, confidence.
Learning/practising concepts e.g. letters, numbers, colours, distances, shapes, body parts, etc.

Social skills:

Communication.
Learning appropriate behaviours and manners.
Interaction with peers, individuals and groups.
Human to animal contact and building relationships.
Consideration for others and taking on responsibility.

Sport and recreational participation:

Develop interests.
Challenge and success in competition with self and others.
Stimulation or relaxation.
Integration into a community activity.

Click on this RDA Website Link to find out more about RDA.

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