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About Ashhurst School

Ashhurst is a state co-educational full primary school. Ashhurst School began as a two-room country school in 1879 and in the intervening years has grown to a roll of 490. Children come from urban and rural backgrounds, being drawn from both within the Ashhurst Township and the surrounding farmland. The rural children come by bus from the Pohangina Valley. The children come from a very wide range of socio-economic backgrounds, but the overall mix tends to be balanced. There is a roll turnover of around 20% per year. Although we have a growing roll, our focus and pedagogy are based on small class sizes, and high 1 to 1 teacher interaction with their classroom teacher. We are a world-leading school, with our flipped curriculum. We were one of the first primary schools in the world to flip their curriculum. To learn more about this come in and have a chat to our school principal!

The town has both a Kindergarten and Play Centre so most children arrive at Ashhurst School with pre-school experience and established relationships. A small number of Māori children have attended the Kohanga Reo in Palmerston North. Our Māori children represent approximately 20% of the roll.

Our school is a community of learners who respect and value each other and our place in Ashhurst, our environment and the wider world.

At Ashhurst School every decision is based on;

“How does this affect the learning of our students”

Principal's Welcome

Tēnā koutou katoa

Hello everyone

Ka tītiro whakarunga ahau ki te māunga a Taranaki

I look up to the mountain Taranaki

Ka tītiro whakararo ahau ki te wai aio o Tongahoe

I look down to the the calm waters of Tongahoe

Ko Catherine Chittenden tāku hoa rangitera

Catherine Chittenden is my wife

Ko Mackenna, ratou ko Caridy, ko Bryleigh, ko Madden, ko Sailor, ko Tenley aku Tamariki

These are my children

E mahi ana ahau i Te Kura o Ashhursti. Ko tumuaki ahau.

I work at Ashhurst School I am the Principal.

Ko Pā Heath ahau

My name is Heath

I would like to welcome you to Ashhurst School. I was appointed as the principal of Ashhurst School in Term 1, 2016. I had been a school principal for the previous 14 years enjoying a variety of small to large school experiences that have covered rural and also urban communities.

I have a real passion to see students succeed at Ashhurst School. My own curriculum passions are Flipped learning, writing and Physical Education. I believe it is important to be enthusiastic and motivated about teaching.

At Ashhurst School, we set high expectations for all students and staff. All children should be challenged to achieve their own personal best. We believe in providing students with the opportunity to progressively take responsibility for their own learning. By being a positive person we can provide an atmosphere for learners where they feel happy and confident in a collaborative learning environment.

We value the contributions that our community provide and take pride in providing supportive, collaborative relationships with other students, staff and parents.

Outside of school, I come from a very sporting background and I have represented Taranaki and Wanganui in provincial cricket. These days I can be seen more on the sidelines coaching and cheering on the children at Ashhurst School. Later in life I have become an avid golfer and can be seen at the course regularly on the weekends!.

Nāku iti noa, nā

Heath Chittenden

Principal

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