Normandale School is in a quiet valley, away from busy streets and is surrounded by native trees and birds. We have a holistic focus to learning in meeting the New Zealand Curriculum as well as enabling our students to develop a lasting enthusiasm for learning and personal fulfilment, as well as good attitudes towards themselves, other people and the environment.  An increasing importance of our school and its pupils is the environment and our role within it. Our children are very engaged in the Enviro Schools programme that has been introduced into our learning environment.

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At Normandale School we actively foster strong cultural awareness through Te Reo, Mandarin lessons, planned cultural trips and various multicultural learning activities. All students have the opportunity to be officially welcomed to the school at our start of term Pōwhiri. Our school Kapa Haka group is well represented by our student base and performs brilliantly at the annual Polyfest.

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A favourite of our students, staff, and parents is the school production. Built around a learning theme and set to an array of music, dances and humour. All students have the opportunity through their classes to act their scene, dance and sing. The productions are very well run and loved equally by those participating and the audience watching. Another much anticipated event among the senior students is the bi-annual camp which is usually held around the Kapiti Coast.

There are large areas of playing fields, hard court areas, an adventure playground and a solar heated swimming pool, all available for the enjoyment of the wider community. We are also fortunate to have a stunning library and hall. Students have access to an array of digital equipment that is used to support their learning and challenge their thinking. The facilities are well maintained and the school is well resourced with the assistance of a dedicated group of parents who make up the FoNS (Friends of Normandale School).

Students are challenged inside and outside the classroom. We are fortunate to have a school pool which is used in Term 1 and Term 4 each year. In addition to this, our students also get a comprehensive swimming opportunity in Term 3. Our community is highly involved and supportive of all outside school sports such as water polo, touch rugby and netball. Students participate in school wide cross country, swimming and athletics competitions and our qualifying Year 4-6 students have the opportunity to represent our school at Inter-school competitions.

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Our students often experience additional opportunities for learning from outside our school. We have the Storytime company entertain us as part of the celebration of the NZ Book Awards. The dance company Footsteps, trained us in preparation for our production. We celebrate walking to school in March with the Council supported initiative, Movin’ March and undertake scooter training which we believe to be vitally important to the safety of our students.

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Normandale School fosters a positive, caring family environment. Our students are very nurturing towards the new and younger students. We encourage leadership in our senior students and give them many opportunities to develop these skills, such as, road patrol, school council and also by giving our Year 6’s the opportunity to attend the National Young Leaders Day each year. The teachers work in a collegial and supportive manner. Staff view the learning, health and happiness of each child as paramount. At Normandale School we are open, honest and friendly in our communication. We welcome and encourage the participation and involvement of our community and as a result there is a high level of parental input.