Russell Street School prides itself on its’ pūmananwatanga. This can be described as the culture or “beating heart” that creates the vibe, tone, pulse, hauora and energy that is present at RSS.
Our pūmananwatanga has been created over many years. It is a product of our professional environment which has been underpinned by staff having significant professional trust and autonomy, their strengths and passions being celebrated and utilised, and by staff having the courage and agency to be innovative and try new things. We believe that these approaches develop and grow outstanding teachers and leaders at RSS.
Our pūmanawatanga is the foundation for creating an environment where positive relationships with both our students and whānau are at the centre of everything we do. The majority of our families live within our school zone, close to the hospital and bordered by Grey Street, North Street, Tremaine Avenue and Ruahine Street. Their diversity (22% Māori, 3% Chinese, 11% Indian, and 51% NZ European) adds to our school culture and vibe. There continues to be high interest from many out of zone families who wish to attend RSS and embrace the special place that it is.
Our pūmanawatanga starts during our transition to school programme where getting to know our youngest learners starts. Understanding and learning about them, their whānau, their culture, interests and passions help us to help us ensure our school is a place where everyone feels valued. When starting school and to meet the needs of our learners, different learning pathways are available within our school; English medium and Māori immersion. Our Māori immersion pathways is vertically grouped where learners from across the year levels work and learn alongside each other. Other classes across the school are grouped in whānau of similar year levels; Year 1/2, Year 3/4 and Year 5/6.
Poutokomanawa is our Level 3 Māori immersion pathway for any learner wanting to be immersed in an environment rich in te ao Māori, where reo, tikanga, waiata and learning contexts are all used to enhance learning across the breadth of the NZ Curriculum. Poutokomanawa reinforces the commitment RSS has to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the unique bi-cultural history of Aotearoa/NZ.
Our English medium pathway starts in Waka Huia, a learning environment that embraces learning through play as a driving philosophy and where a foundation in literacy and numeracy begins. In their second year of school, learners move to other teaching teams; Te Ikaroa, Taiao or to Poutokomanawa, to continue their learning journey. In providing different pathways for learning we are aiming to create learning environments where all students thrive.
Our buildings and grounds support our goal of creating learning environments that provide great education opportunities for all learners. Our classrooms, library, hall, swimming pool, waharoa, playground, scooter and bike tracks, sports turf, playing fields and staffroom all contribute to our pūmanawatanga and provide different options for learning and recreation for our learners and local community.
RSS is a special place. Our vision for learning and our values add a richness to who we are and what we aim to achieve. Collectively the efforts of everyone; our 350 students, 35 staff, parents, and the wider community, all contribute to our positive vibe and pūmanawatanga.