Welcome to our Intermediate
Below is an overview presented to parents and students at our 2023 open evening. It highlights what makes our Intermediate special, and all of the opportunities available to our Tamariki in their learning and development. For more information, please feel free to contact our Syndicate Leader, Nate Baxter: nathan@stjon.school.nz. We would be glad to hear from you.
Why students thrive at St Joseph’s Intermediate
Catholic Education
St Joseph’s provides a Catholic education that does not overemphasize individualism and secular success, but puts these in a Christian context which also:
highlights the spiritual dimension of our humanity
promotes the development of the whole, well rounded person,
encourages personal success, personal morality, service to local and distant communities.
A CO-ED environment
Rather than learning in a homogenous environment, St Joseph’s provides an educational setting where students mix with others of both sexes and from all sections of the community. Here they learn to work, play and interact with others from all strata of society, building tolerance and empathy. Feedback from Colleges attended by our Intermediate students assures us that they are very well prepared for their secondary schooling.
Service Opportunities
These opportunities are promoted throughout the school from Year 3 on. Through these, students are encouraged to contribute to their communities in selfless ways that will create positive changes in the lives and situations of others. The culmination of this service occurs with the presentation of a special “Spirit of St Joseph’s - Service” badge in the Intermediate years for those who have demonstrated a significant level of selfless and unrewarded service to the school and/or wider community.
Technology
Students receive technology tuition at Nelson Intermediate School. Areas covered include Food Technology, Biotechnology, Electronics and Soft & Hard Materials.
Modern Facilities
Classrooms and furnishings are modern and bright, incorporating many current Modern Learning Environment (MLE) features. Each classroom has up-to-date Apple technology to view and share work and on-line information. A “bring your own device” (BYOD) policy operates, while computers are available for those who need them.
Learning Extension
Children who excel are extended through a range of differentiated learning programs. Cascia Challenge is offered each year which encourages problem-solving, teamwork and presentation skills. Otago Maths Challenge, Lit Quiz and Nelsomathlix are further examples of opportunities provided for extension.
Languages are taught in alternate years throughout our Intermediate Classrooms. When necessary students are interchanged between classes to effectively place them in a learning situation that best suits their needs. They do, however, spend most of their time in their home room. MultiLit is available for literacy support and an additional teacher is employed for mathematics support.
Education Outside the Classroom
In alternate years there are two camps. A 3-day camp at Mārahau, which includes two days of tramping and a Waka Abel Tasman challenge. Students stay in tents, prepare and cook their own food and participate in a range of camp life activities. The Intermediates have always been involved in a range of EOTC events ranging from NISSA sporting calendar to our involvement in the Mai Toi performance.
“...it provided an environment that was safe and supportive, one where I began to flourish ... Academically we were pushed to a higher standard, it made the transition into high school a breeze. I am still in contact with St Joseph’s friends today.”
A Seamless Educational Setting
Unlike any other Intermediate in Nelson, our Intermediate teachers have at hand a rich source of information regarding your children. The source comprises those teachers, who have worked with your children in earlier years. The many formal discussions and informal chats that occur regarding Intermediate children are invaluable. There is no “starting again” or “starting from scratch”. This means that Intermediate student learning starts on day one of Year 7 – all the talking and sharing was done last year. If, later in the term, the Intermediate teacher requires even more information about learning, behavioural or social interactions regarding your child it is only a classroom or two away or is as close as morning tea time!
Full Interschool Participation
Our students are involved in all academic, cultural and sporting events that are on offer in the Intermediate School community of Nelson and Tasman and, within this community, we achieve levels of success disproportionate to our relatively small numbers. Our intermediate students have twice won the Nelson Tasman Nelsomathix Intermediate Schools Competition and have twice represented the Top of the South Quiz and then represented this large area at national level quizzes (once coming second in New Zealand).
“Due to the spirit of St Joseph’s and the inclusiveness of the intermediate, I gained confidence as both an actor and a public speaker. Academically, I was challenged at the right level and this provided the platform for me to succeed in college. I have developed life-long friendships and have fond memories from the two senior years at the school.”
Leadership Opportunities
St Joseph’s has approximately 280 children from Year 0 to Year 6. Our Intermediate students are in a unique position in Nelson in that, being the senior students in a Year 0 – Year 8 school, they can have a real and positive influence on the well being of the younger children and are in a position to play a significant part in maintaining and enhancing the positive culture within the school.
Literacy and Numeracy
High expectations are placed on gaining life-long literacy and numeracy skills. Literacy skills are essential links between all curriculum areas and all facets of life. Our students’ needs and current interests are incorporated into a new literacy focus each term. Students develop their skills, knowledge and strengths as they learn to write to communicate ideas for a purpose and audience, read texts with understanding and actively participate in spoken interactions. In Numeracy, students are assessed and placed into four ability groups. This enables smaller class sizes and caters for those who require extension or support. Every student uses the online Mathletics programme to encourage rapid recall of basic facts and consolidate concepts.
Our academic programme encourages and supports students to participate in local, regional and national events such as: Nelson Mathix, Lit Quiz, interschool speeches, extension art classes, Stage Challenge, technology challenges, academic challenges, Science Fair and interschool sports tournaments.
Many of our children, who remain with us for their Intermediate schooling, achieve great success when they attend various secondary colleges, often attaining positions of responsibility in their senior years. They settle with ease into the college environment and quickly focus on their learning as they prepare for their NCEA exams.