SCHOOL CLOSURE Thursday 16th March 2023

Dear Wairau Valley Whánau & Community

The NZEI has advised the Wairau Valley Special School Board that its teacher members at our school will be taking strike action on 16 March 2023. The Board has carefully considered the availability of non-union teaching staff and have decided that we are unable to provide safe and normal instruction during the strike. Therefore, the school will officially be closed for instruction on 16 March 2023.

It is important that you make alternative arrangements for the care of your child/children during the period of the strike as no supervision can be safely provided. We know that this is inconvenient for parents and students alike. Please be assured that student safety is always our main concern.

Thank you for your understanding, should you have any queries relating to this decision please contact the Principal via admin@wvss.school.nz 

Yours sincerely

Ange Clarke 

Presiding Member  

Principals Welcome

Haere Mai, Welcome to Wairau Valley Special School (WVSS)

WVSS is a school dedicated to meeting the unique learning needs of students from 5-21 years of age in the North Shore area. All our students are funded under the Ministry of Education’s Ongoing Resourcing Scheme (ORS) for Special Education. 

We have 27 classes located across six sites. These include satellite classes catering for primary and intermediate students, secondary options, and a transition centre for students aged 17 and over. Satellite classes are classes that belong to a specialist school but are in a ‘mainstream’ setting. In addition, we run a Specialist Teacher Outreach Service which supports ORS-funded students to be fully included in their mainstream schools.

We have small class sizes with skilled teachers, therapists, and teacher aides. We provide quality learning programmes tailored to the individual needs of our students. The New Zealand Curriculum is personalized to ensure it meets the specific learning profile of each student. This includes a focus on Literacy and Numeracy as well as the Key Competencies which emphasize Social, Communication, Physical and Self-Management skills and development.   

We are a passionate and committed staff focused on engaging our students to develop to their full potential. Our students are at the heart of all our work as we seek to ensure they are fully included in the world they are learning more about every day.  We believe strongly in the need for an understanding, inclusive and responsive community and we are aware that we play an important part in helping to create this community for our students and their families.

My door is always open so please feel free to contact the school and make a time to come and see me.

Nga mihi nui

Natalie Todd

Tumuaki