Welcome to Room 1

Level: New entrants/Year 1

Teacher: Ms Juliette Ridge

Students are invited to have three visits on a Thursday morning, prior to starting school, which is usually on their 5th birthday. These visits can be organised with Maree in the office when pre-enrolments are done. We appreciate a heads-up for any children starting during the year and are in touch with the local early childhood centres to support students on their next learning journey at Opua School.

Our learning focus is on reading, writing and maths using experiential learning with a strong focus on our core AWHINA values. Our day usually starts with roll and taumata followed by fitness. Children are encouraged to learn their pepeha in order to participate in taumata.

In terms 1 and 4, we have swimming lessons in the afternoon from Monday to Thursday. This is an important part of our physical education curriculum, and everyone is expected to participate.

I have an open-door policy in my classroom; parents are welcome before school to pop in and have a chat and settle their children or after school by appointment. If you have any concerns regarding your child, please don’t hesitate to talk to me.

 Home-school communication is very important at this early stage, so we can ensure that students get the best possible start.

About me…

I am married and have a grown-up daughter. I have been living and teaching in the Bay of Islands now for 30 years, the last 12 years at Opua School. I am Reading Recovery and Structured Literacy trained and am currently working on upskilling on the new maths curriculum and using Numicon in the classroom. Teachers are learners too!

In my spare time, I enjoy walking, swimming, fishing, boating, yoga, hanging out with my friends and whanau and reading. I also do a lot of voluntary work for N.Z.E.I our teachers’ union, which I am a passionate advocate for.

Nō Reira,

Juliette Ridge