Play-Based Learning Visitors to WHS: 

Annette Pram and Nicole Spanhake are taonga - treasures. We owe them a huge debt of thanks for the passion, energy and research they bring to our Structured Approach to Play Based Learning at Western Heights.

Their reputations are spreading far and wide - both are in demand to speak at conferences and workshops and to visit and support staff and schools interested in joining this movement.

Sport Waitakere recently asked Nicole and Annette if they would be part of the West Auckland play tour.

Three schools were invited, Massey Primary (sensory garden and discovery room) and Henderson North School (loose parts, swinging bridge).

This day highlighted how advanced our Play Based Learning is at WHS in what we offer inside and outside the classroom.

All 22 visiting teachers, sports leaders (North Shore, South Auckland, and Waitakere), Kate (Junky Monkeys), and Greg (Magic Tool Box) were excited, amazed, and thankful to see Nicole's passion, energy, and drive regarding our Bush School. They all had the opportunity to meet the boys who attended Bush School, we were very proud of them as they all showed their school values.

One of the visitors was Daniel, who is the Play and Tamariki lead at Aktive NZ which is the governing body that fundsSport Waitakere. His quote was - 

“The Bush Class at Western Heights School was amazing. It reinforces our need to get into schools and work with leaders as once they are on board, the sky is the limit. Combine invested school leaders with dedicated teachers and they are a testament to what can happen.”