Highlands Intermediate School is situated in the north-eastern end of New Plymouth city in an attractive park-like environment, with well-maintained grounds and buildings. All facilities are a mixture of modern and traditional learning spaces which are well resourced. Ongoing review and redevelopment of facilities ensures a pleasant and positive learning environment for students.
In 2007 the Ministry of Education implemented an Enrolment Scheme. There are seven main contributing schools within the zone
There is considerable emphasis given to student transition to Highlands and having them involved in a range of school wide activities.
With the goals of the school clearly identified, on-going provision is made for staff to be involved in targeted professional development. The staff is organised in four teaching iwi and a Matanga or specialist subjects iwi. These groups are under the umbrella of a leadership group consisting of a Principal and four Deputy Principals. Support staff are employed to support teaching and learning and accelerate children’s learning progress and there is access to programmes for the gifted and talented.
The Matanga Programme comprises Visual Arts (Being an Artist), Performing Arts (Being a Performer), Materials and Electronic Technology, (Being an Engineer) Food and Biotechnology (Being a Chef), and Science (Being a Scientist). These programmes provide all students with a range of ‘design and make’ (Hands on) learning experiences to equip them with technological skills for the future.
The school promotes, and has established a very strong cultural and musical emphasis. Private music tuition is available and conducted beyond the school day. The students also enjoy considerable success and personal achievement through a strong organisation of sport and physical education. We send a number of children to compete successfully at the AIMs games and during the year children experience a range of EOTC activities.
The wider curriculum is delivered through a weekly programme of instruction centred round the ‘Term Inquiries’ and we offer a wide range of extracurricular activities including but not limited to; Debating, Speech making, Art, Dance, Drama, Inter-school and weekend sport, Kapa Haka
An incentive scheme ‘Merit Badges & Spectemur Agendo’ is aimed at student participation with excellence as a strong feature of the school. This is supported with a behavioural management programme designed to encourage students to make good choices. We encourage students to take responsibility for their learning and behaviour as part of the PB4L programme.