At Douglas Park School teaching and learning promotes student independence and agency in classrooms that thrive on communication, collaboration, critical thinking and creativity. Our school is a Maker Space. There are learning opportunities through students creating, making, playing and discovering. Douglas Park School students are fluent in using a variety of technologies to suit their learning needs. Students and Teachers actively seek, and explore practice to enhance teaching and learning. We recognise each student as an individual that brings their own needs, strengths and interests to shape their learning. Our Modern Learning Environment is a global, wall-less experience bringing the world into the classroom and taking the learning into the world. 

At Douglas Park School we take time to talk with children and families, and share a joke, a laugh, an experience. We greet everyone by name. Smiles, greetings and manners are central to our learning community. Our school is an attractive, exciting and well maintained physical environment.  We act to maintain a positive and sustainable environment.

Our care and concern (Hauora – Physical, Spiritual, Emotional and mental, Whanau) for children is the central element in the life of our school.  Student behaviour thrives through a consistent and successful Positive Behaviour System.  Students share thoughts, worries and concerns with our adults in a trusting environment.  Our staff develop quality relationships with children and their whanau.  All systems are geared to set children up for success.  We look for what works in other schools nationally and internationally and seek the knowledge of the people who know our children best, our parents and caregivers.

Parents are our fellow educators; they feel comfortable in our school. Our efficient communication system ensures that people know what Douglas Park School is trying to achieve. We celebrate the differences and unity in different cultures, and integrate them into our classrooms. Particular attention is given to Te Reo Maori, Tikanga and Kawa.  

We are continually upskilling our staff to stay in touch with innovations in teaching practice. We get the basics right first. Our students have strong literacy, numeracy and ICT skills, and we continually monitor the effectiveness of our programmes. This is a thinking school, our students and staff think for themselves. Each student leaves us with a rich set of thinking skills that they can use with confidence in everyday life and in their academic work. 

We base our teaching on quality data, relevant to specific learning intentions. This shows us, and the child, what they can do and their next learning step. We keep ongoing records, which map each student’s progression through the school. By combining this with rich data from families, we can work together with parents and students to ensure that every child reaches their potential. We use learning conferences with parent/child and teacher to inform and gain feedback from all to all.

We have a clear shared vision, and within this we encourage flexibility for staff and students to take learning where their hearts and minds want to go. This is done within the context of a balanced life for students, for staff and our families. We provide an active, healthy lifestyle and provide opportunities for participation in the arts and excellence in sport.  We are always taking steps to ensure that we are at the cutting edge, and we are not afraid to be the first to do new things. We seize opportunities, and we celebrate our wonderful students, teachers and families.