Napier Central School

Napier Central Primary School sits on the top of Napier hill overlooking Napier, the Pacific and Cape Kidnappers. It caters for new entrants to year 6 children and is one of the oldest schools in New Zealand having celebrated its 131 years in November 2010.

Napier Central started off the year with 12 classrooms. Room 13 was used as a withdrawal room for small group and extension activities in Terms One and Two.From the beginning of Term Three it is used as an additional New Entrants classroom. There is an additional building used as a pre and post - school care facility called HASCAP and this is open from 7.30 to 8.30 each morning and from 3.00 to 5.30 pm each evening. HASCAP caters for casual users as well as regular pupils each week.

The school year commenced with around 275 students, rising to over 300 in August. This supports 12 fulltime teachers from the beginning of the year and 13 from the beginning of Term 3.

In 2010 we have three teams operating.

Junior Team

The Junior Team covers Years 1 and 2 and is clustered together at the lower end of the school. The JuniorT eam comprises five classes in Rooms 7 ( Roz McLaren), 8 ( Debbie Edmondson), 9 ( Chris Chard), 10 ( Leigh Golding) and 11 ( Lynne Floden). The Junior Team is co-ordinated by Roz McLaren, Associate Principal.

Middle Team

The Middle Team covers Years 3 and 4, comprises three classes in Rooms 12 ( Shelley Hunter), 1 ( Sonia Bauerfeind) and 2 ( Ruth Spittle) . The Middle Team is co-ordinated by Sonia Bauerfeind.

Senior Team

The Senior Team (Years 5 and 6) reside in the well established main block in Rooms 4 to 6. The Senior Team is co-ordinated by Jane Taylor, Associate Principals ( Room 3). The senior team comprises four Year 5 & 6 composite classes. Rowena Ferguson is in Room 4, Glenn Knight in Room 5 and Teresa Cuthbert in Room 6.

Information and communication technology (ICT)

The ICT suite has 30 new computers, all purchased in January 2009. Each class has at least one computer and several classes have 4 or 5. Twice a term, John Phelps, our long time computer "expert" comes into the school to up-skill both teachers and students in ICT techniques which can be used in the classroom.He has been most impressed by the quality of students' work and has in the recent past run workshops for teachers at the school showcasing students' work. Classes are timetabled to visit the suite once per week with many classes taking the opportunity to use it more than once.

Library

In close proximity to both syndicates is the Library/ICT suite which was opened in 2001. The well stocked and attractive library is named the Barbara Twyford Library after a long serving teacher who retired at the end of 2002. The Library is an attractive and well resourced and user friendly. Classrooms are timetabled to visit the library once per week when students are given the opportunity to select reading books for pleasure. The library is also open during lunch breaks. Senior students are trained to become library monitors to assist during library times.

Facilities, resources & opportunities

The school has a modern adventure playground which was constructed in January 2010, a second adventure playground beside the library, two main court areas, two fields, a synthetic cricket practice net, a swimming pool, a Dental Clinic and a school hall used for whole school and syndicate assemblies, choir, orchestra, gymnastics, volleyball, squash and a multitude of other activities. We have a very strong choir and orchestra who are involved in events such as the annual concert for Early Childhood Centres and Grandparents, the annual cultural exchange with Waipukurau School, the "Kids for Kids" concert with Suzanne Prentice ( Choir Only), busking in Emerson Street ( Orchestra Only)and Christmas in Anderson Park ( Choir Only). Every odd numbered year we have a school production. Until 2007, the production was performed by senior students at the Tabard Theatre. In August 2009, the whole school of 285 students (new entrants to Year Six) were involved in "Alice: The Musical". This was performed before a capacity audience of 1,000 proud parents, grandparents and supporters at the Municipal Theatre to rave reviews.In August 2010, staff are already looking ahead to the 2011 production.

Students from the school participate in a variety of sports including triathlon, gymnastics, tennis, soccer,rugby, rippa rugby, netball, hockey, mini-ball, softball, cricket and volleyball. Highlights of each year include the annual Year 3-6 swimming sports, the annual camp frequented by Year 5 and 6 students and the inter-school Cross country and Athletics competitions.