Marriene Langton Principal/Tumuaki

Marriene Langton Principal/Tumuaki
Tēnā koutou e te whanau. This is my 16th year as tumuaki of our lovely kura. I am one-eyed when it comes to providing the very best education for all of our tamariki, strong connections to whanau and applying attachment theory so every child has a champion adult at our school who believes in them unconditionally. I just can’t see past it. Our kaiako and kaiawhina go the extra 50 miles to give our children the best chances to succeed. My family is number one. After 20 years of camping holidays in Kaiteriteri, Graham and I are recidivist “glampers “ and ready for new adventures in our latest caravan. It’s brilliant when our family joins us too.

Saturday, August 18, 2012


Ukulele Orchestra on PhotoPeach



Farewell Danielle and Baby Peanut on PhotoPeach


Saturday, July 21, 2012


One Hundred Days of School on PhotoPeach


Monday, July 9, 2012


End Of Term Fun Day on PhotoPeach


Sunday, July 8, 2012


End of Term 1 on PhotoPeach


Friday, May 25, 2012


WSS Disco Fever on PhotoPeach



Zone Netball Teams on PhotoPeach



Fish in Schools Project on PhotoPeach


Home School Partnership Numeracy Teaching











Janice held another great Friday morning  Home School Partnership meeting for parents. This one was about how we teach math at West Spreydon School. The Numeracy Project has meant radical changes in the ways in which children learn about numbers and problem solving. As always Janice taught us well. The mini cupcakes oiled the wheels of learning too. It is lovely to see parents give up their time to find ways in which to help their children.

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Tataiako and Ka Hikitia review


When we review we know how to do it to best fit the occasion. Bill our caretaker went diving for the kai moana and Shirley and Angie made mussel patties, raw mussels and paua patties. They were served with Riwana bread too. Oh boy, oh boy. Our hui started with a karakia mo kai and a himine. We looked at the underlying principles of both documents and what they would look like and sound like in action in our school. We revived the school patere which is a "raise the hairs on the back of your neck experience." There were teachers, support staff and trainee teachers present. Our passion is to make a difference for everyone and to be reminded about the need to be authentic and inclusive was very important. We reviewed how we already have things in place to honour te reo and tikanga. Tataiako talks about Wananga, whanaungatanga, manaakitanga, tangata whenuatanga and ako. We have examined what that means for us as a school community. Ka Hikitia means to step up or to lift up. For us that means to honour te reo, tikanga and our whanau. It also means to have high expectations around achievement for our Maori students and all of our students. The quality of the professional learning that we do together has a profound impact on the ways in which we plan and teach in our school. We are proud of the quality of the staff we have here at West Spreydon School.

Friday, May 4, 2012

Room 2 Class President, Vice-President and Secretary

Shirley Haynes is keen to ensure that students have a voice about how they see their class and school operating for success. All students were given the opportunity to apply for the positions of President, Vice President and Secretary of the class. Shirley wrote the job descriptions and the children had to write and present a speech to the class. Molly was voted as Class President, Ashanti as class Vice - President and Jesse as Class Secretary. Congratulations.
South West Schools Music Festival on PhotoPeach
West Spreydon School House Leaders on PhotoPeach
ABCD1May2012 on PhotoPeach
ABCD May2012 on PhotoPeach

Friday, April 27, 2012


SCPA conference Lake Tekapo on PhotoPeach



Angeline Malae 2011 Canterbury  University  Pasifika High Achievers' Award on PhotoPeach


Friday, March 30, 2012

PTA Thank You Morning Tea on PhotoPeach

Swimming at Pioneer Stadium on PhotoPeach

Sunday, March 18, 2012

In-Class Visits on PhotoPeach

Board of Trustees Retreat on PhotoPeach

Friday After School Games on PhotoPeach

ABCD Dance on PhotoPeach

Friday, March 2, 2012

Joshua Foundation Leadership Training on PhotoPeach

Home School Partnership

Janice Krammer has organized two more sessions this term. As parents come in for their Friday morning coffee they are encouraged to stay for a parent education session which Janice leads. In the past two weeks she has led sessions on Reading and Maths. This followed on from the successful session she took on Phonics.
About eleven parents stay in each session along with their pre-schoolers.
Janice carefully plans each session so that parents can learn how different strategies or skills are taught in our school. This helps our parents to be able to support their children in their learning at home. Our goal is to create a school where parents and the staff have joint ownership and responsibility for high achievement of all students at West Spreydon School. he old saying of "It takes a community to raise a child," is absolutely at the heart of how we want to operate at our school.
Ruth Major and Cath Pratten volunteer to make the fantastic coffee every Friday morning. They are part of the team at West Spreydon School who are important links in the connections we are making with our families and community. There's a danger that schools can appear to be unwelcoming and unfriendly places unless families are connected to the local community. We want to be at the heart of our local community and to be a vital part of the future of our community as we acknowledge the past.

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Home School Partnership Phonics Teaching on PhotoPeach

Kia Kaha on PhotoPeach

Friday, February 10, 2012

Meet The Teacher, Fish'n Chips and Kia Kaha on PhotoPeach

Learning@school CoreEd Conference 2012 on PhotoPeach

Monday, January 2, 2012

Totara Team Sweet As Market Day on PhotoPeach

Pasifika Group; The Last Rehearsal Before the Public Performance on PhotoPeach

Thank YouTo Our Volunteers on PhotoPeach