Term Dates
School Day
Latest News
Report Absence
Our Learning
 |
 |
My name is David Grant and I have the very real privilege of being the Principal of Big Rock Primary School. A role where I get to work with amazing teaching and support staff, supportive whanau and most importantly incredible, hard-working, engaged, friendly, resilient, happy children.
Our aim at Big Rock Primary School is to ensure that we provide the very best educational and developmental experiences we can for all of our students.
We do this by having Rock solid foundations in Numeracy and Literacy and by working hard to provide an environment that is stimulating and safe for your children to learn and grow. Our success levels in the core areas of Reading, Writing and Mathematics are excellent. Our programmes are based on a topic based integrated approach where children’s interests and key learning areas such as Science, Social Sciences, Art and Technology are integrated into Reading and Writing and Mathematics programmes to add meaning and depth as well as creating engaging and relevant learning experiences.
This is supported by modern teaching methods, plentiful modern teaching resources, sensible class sizes and highly skilled positive teachers.
To further support our Reading, Writing and Mathematics programmes we utilise a teaching model that we developed at Big Rock, that is based on the three concepts of Investigation, Explanation and Presentation. This allows and encourages the children’s inquiring minds to explore, share their thoughts and ideas, while developing their presentation skills and strategies.
Further to this, we understand that for a curriculum to be meaningful we utilise E.O.T.C. so that there are class trips to support all topic based learning. Learning experiences have to be real and meaningful.
We also have an in-depth adventure based Education Outside the Classroom programme that includes surfing, kayaking, mountain bike adventures and road safety, deep sea fishing and scuba diving. The benefits of these programmes is much more than just biking, kayaking etc, but they support self-esteem and mental health, which has led to improved outcomes for many children in core curriculum areas.
We also have a full biking programme as part of our curriculum, that involves all children, from early riders in the younger years, to Advanced Mountain Bike extension groups.
Our goal is to have happy, resilient, lifelong learners with Rock solid foundations in Reading, Writing and Mathematics. Our curriculum and curriculum delivery is achieving this, with excellent achievement levels, high levels of engagement and attendance and happy resilient children. Of course this would not be possible without the support of our amazing whanau and the incredible children.
Big Rock is a great place to learn, play, grow and develop. It’s a pretty cool place to come and work as well.
Good afternoon,
Regardless of the wild weather, tomorrow's sausage sizzle will still be going ahead.
A reminder that on Friday a number of children from Room 3-5 have their Crime Solving Bike Adventure is taking place. Please let us know if your child needs to use one of the school bikes. This is a opt in event.
Also, don't forgot the Music Bingo fundraiser on Saturday at 2:00 at the Brighton Club.
Thank you for all the raffle prize donations, please keep them coming in if you can.
Thanks and stay warm
David Grant
Kia ora Big Rock parents and caregivers,
We hope this email finds you well.
As part of our technology topic and financial literacy unit this term, our students have been busy designing and making products to sell at our upcoming Market Day! This is a whole-school event, and all students across every year level will be participating.
Market Day Details
Date: Friday, September 18th
Pricing: All items will be priced at 50c, $1, or $2
What to bring: Please start collecting coins with your child so they have money to spend at the market.
Exact change required: Because the children are running the market stalls themselves, we will not have a float for change. Please ensure your child has exact change for their purchases.
Please note: The Market Day is exclusively for the children to run and experience—to give the students full ownership of their stalls and let them put their learning into action independently, this event is just for the children. Parent help won't be needed on the day, and we appreciate your support in keeping the event student-only.
Thank you for your support in making this a fun and valuable learning experience for our students. If you have any questions, feel free to get in touch.
Ngā mihi nui,
The Teaching Team
Big Rock School
Help your community to vote in this year’s General Election. The Electoral Commission is now recruiting for roles across Aotearoa to deliver the 2026 General Election.
Whether you want to work for several weeks or just for a day, there’s a range of options to suit you. Apply at work.elections.nz Work Elections - Taieri Electorate https://work.elections.nz/search?search=kw-Taieri
These are paid roles at $28.95 + holiday pay. You get paid for your training as well.
Also to note that it isn’t secondary tax as there is a special Election Day tax code (EDW) which means you will only be taxed your normal tax rate.
A great way to get some extra finds before Christmas.
Good morning, as you may be aware there is a vomiting and diarrhea bug going around. Can we please insist that children are away from school 48 hours after the symptoms have passed, not 48 hours after symptoms begin. It is very contagious and with the best will in the world, left to their own devices, children are not always the most hygienic of people, with handwashing etc.
Thank you
David Grant
Principal
for
Board of Trustees
Hi again,
We need to clarify that the cross country is not a school wide event, it is the Greater Green Island cluster of schools with only some children from each school taking part.
Sorry for any confusion.
Have a great day.
Parents, please support our local businesses
Call Direct
Send Email
Visit Website
Visit Website
Visit Website
Call Direct
Send Email
Visit Website
Call Direct
Scan this code to download the app
Download our Skool Loop App, a simple and free download. In Google Play & App Store search ‘Skool Loop’ and choose our school once installed.
