Aranui Primary School - Whanganui

About

Aranui School is a primary school in the seaside suburb of Castlecliff in Whanganui. C.A.R.E. are our Values - Co-operation, Attitude, Respect, Effort

Story

Aranui School is a Decile 1 Primary in the seaside suburb of Castlecliff in Whanganui. The school was established on 24 May 1965 and officially opened by the Mayor, Mr R.P. Andrews on 26 June 1965 and was first known as the Castlecliff Side School. Our school was built to take the extra children from new housing at the end of Castlecliff. Since then, we have grown and changed with the community and educational needs of the children attending.
Our children come mainly from the Golf Course (northern) end of “The Cliff” but others come from outside the area. We are 7 kilometres away from the city centre. We are a city school, but have that special country feel with cows, horses and paddocks around three sides. We have extensive native garden plantings and a “Skink Reserve”. As well as the country feel, we are also close to Castlecliff Beach and the Whanganui River Mouth. On the distant horizon, Mount Ruapehu and Mount Taranaki are visible.
Aranui School has, for a long time, been known as a Family School, where families are welcomed, and encouraged to share in their child’s education. Our school develops academic progress, sporting, cultural and life skills to prepare children for a successful and healthy future.
Aranui School has very experienced and professional teachers who focus on providing quality learning programmes. Children benefit from and are motivated with a variety of learning situations in all curriculum areas with a main focus on Literacy and Mathematics. During the year, we participate in a variety of sporting and cultural events at our school and at interschool level so that it provides the opportunity for children to interact and compete with children of similar ages from different schools. The teachers are supported by dedicated and enthusiastic Support Staff – an Executive Officer, Teacher Aides, Caretaker and Cleaners.
We are a very well resourced school with a dedicated Library, Community Hall, large permanent shade structure, large playgrounds and field, court and concrete areas, an Arts Room, sporting equipment and up to date teaching and learning resources. A wonderful aspect of our large playground and field is that we encourage children to get active and to explore play.
We focus on being a supportive, caring learning environment and the development of positive relationships between teachers, the children and their peers. The children and their parents value meaningful learning opportunities that progress and extend the children.