About us

Growing a community of happy, creative, confident lifelong learners within a nature-based learning environment 

Welcome to Taieri Beach School 

Taieri Beach School is a small rural full primary (Year 0-8) school set in a rural paradise near the seaside village of Taieri Mouth, a scenic 30 minutes commute south of Dunedin city. It is a well resourced school with two modern learning classrooms, up to date IT facilities, extensive library, expansive playground and sports field, school vegetable garden with a propagating shed and indoor swimming pool.


Our quality teaching and learning programmes are underpinned by a nature-based philosophy. Along with leading educational providers, we believe that quality time outdoors and in nature has a calming effect, and at the same time, invigorates, as well as develops an understanding about how the world works and helps children to develop connections with other people and the natural environment.

 

We strongly believe in encouraging curiosity and creativity as a way of engaging and motivating children in their learning.  Furthermore, we are passionate about children experiencing the fun and wonder of discovering new knowledge through practical hands-on experiences and working together with other students as a team.

Small class sizes mean children receive one-on-one support catering to their individual strengths and interests to ensure all children get the maximum benefit out of their educational experiences in order to succeed to the best of their ability in all areas of the curriculum.

Children are actively encouraged to engage with IT to complement and enhance their learning programmes, thereby empowering themselves in the digital age.

Taieri Beach School provides a variety of opportunities for children to develop their confidence and skills in physical education. The South Otago Sport Activator visits regularly to coach the children in a variety of sports, and the school participates in inter-school activities such as athletics and cross country. The children have swimming lessons at the Milton swimming Pool during Terms 1 and 4, as well as using the school pool.

In summary Taieri Beach School offers:

• a nature-based philosophy
• small classes with individualised 1-on-1 support
• strong literacy and mathematics programmes
• hands-on student-led activities
• a family-orientated inclusive culture 
• an organic vegetable garden
• before and after school care

SCHOOL VALUES

Respect (Whakaute) for ourselves, others, possessions and the environment. 

Responsibility (Kawenga) for our learning, actions and possessions, for the environment and towards others. 

The school welcomes the involvement of parents, caregivers and the community in the school programme.

STAFF

Dr Gloria Penrice - Teaching Principal

PhD (Education); Master of Arts (Education) with Distinction; Postgraduate Diploma of Education (with Distinction): Higher Diploma of Teaching; Bachelor of Arts (Education); Diploma of Teaching

Petra Carruthers: Teacher 

Bachelor of Arts (Geography); Postgraduate Diploma of Teaching; Postgraduate Diploma Second Language Teaching

Chrissie Visser: Teacher Aide 

Danique Girvan: Office Administrator

CONTACT DETAILS

Phone 03 481 7890
Fax     03 481 7891

Danique Girvan   office@taieribeach.school.nz
Gloria Penrice     principal@taieribeach.school.nz

To learn more about our teaching philosophy at Taieri Beach School please click on the Nature based Philosophy page.