Innovative Learning Environments

Our school is an Innovative Learning Environment (ILE). We want to be designers of learning within an ecosystem that includes both the activity and the outcomes of the learning.

Whakatauki: “Tangata ako ana i te whare, te turanga ki te marae, tae ana” which translates to “a person who is taught at home (habitat) will stand collected on the Marae (school)”. Each of our learning spaces is a ‘habitat’. A habitat is a space and a place for our people (learners) and learning. Each Habitat is furnished with the learners in mind and we believe that all the space belongs to the learners. We provide a range of different furniture to do this. For some learners, this may mean a traditional table and chair but for others, it may be a standing table, a stool, a kneeler table, a floor cushion or the floor itself.

A place to:

Live, learn and grow.
Belong.
Make connections.
Be curious.
Be collaborative.
Build capabilities.

Each of our Habitats has 4 niches:

MakerSpace; a creation zone, to learn either collaboratively or independently.
MySpace; a quiet, contemplative, reflective space to do independent learning.
MediaSpace; a space to create content, practice, perform and explore.
MeetingSpace; a place to carry out learning conversations with others, focused-shared collaborative learning.

These four niches are purpose built but remain flexible so they may be used in other ways.

Our Habitat Names

We have chosen to give our Habitats names to further enhance our school and the connections both within our school and to the past, present and future.

In Aotearoa, there are eight different types of natural habitats. Each Learning Habitat will celebrate the two official languages of Aotearoa – Te Reo and NZSL

English	Alpine
Te Reo	Maunga

English	Estuary
Te Reo	Ngutuawa

English	Forest
Te Reo	Ngahere

English	Marine
Te Reo	Moana

English	Creek
Te Reo	Pūkaki

English	Camp
Te Reo	Taupuni

English	Beach
Te Reo	Tāhuna

English	Pond
Te Reo	Hāroto

English	Wilderness
Te Reo	Koraha

English	Dryland
Te Reo	Pākihi

English	Fresh Water
Te Reo	Wai Māori

English	Island
Te Reo	Moutere

English	Wetland
Te Reo	Kūkūwai

English	Rocky Shore
Te Reo	Tokatoka

English	Lowlands
Te Reo	Raorao

English	Coast
Te Reo	Takutai

English	Volcano (Ko Taku Reo)
Te Reo	Puia

We require all of these different types of habitats to make Aotearoa and we need all of our Learning Habitats to make Ormiston Primary School.

Welcoming Many Cultures and Ethnicities

We welcome many different cultures and ethnicities into our school. We view this as a taonga and it represents the many tribes of the world gathered here at Ormiston Primary. Our logo displays the four koru of the circle which symbolise the four winds, Nga Hau E Wha.

We believe that it is important that we acknowledge the uniqueness of Aotearoa and work together with our learners and their whanau to share the knowledge and vital importance of our natural environment.

We will utilise the different habitat names to work as a catalyst for educators and learners to ensure they have the knowledge and respect for the natural world.

We will use our 4Cs to help with this:

Te Pākiki Curious about learning all the different types of Habitats

Raukaha Capable increase the knowledge of the flora, fauna and landscapes of our country

Hononga Connected connect with different groups and organisations (for example, Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki & Department of Conservation) to help inform of the past, present and future to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of our joint responsibility to the natural environment.

Mahi Tahi Collaborative work together to look after our Learning Habitats and the natural world we live in

Innovative Learning Environments