To complement the core curriculum, St Heliers School provides a wide range of experiences and resources to foster student learning.

Aquatics

St Heliers School features an aquatics programme that prepares students for safe use of the local environment and develops basic swimming competencies.

Years 5 and 6 taking part in a swimming competition

Tutored Swim Programme

Students in Years 3 and 5 are tutored by specialist swimming tutors.

Aquapass

This is a swim skill and personal survival programme for Year 7&8 students.

Waterwise

St Heliers School is one of seven schools that form the Okahu Bay Waterwise Society. The Waterwise group own Optimist sailing dinghies and kayaks. Year 8 students receive instruction in sailing and kayaking. This is carried out by trained instructors and is dependent on parent support.

Education Outside of the Classroom

Opportunities are provided for students to make use of resources within our region. These experiences are an important part of enriching learning.

ESOL (English for speakers of other languages)

The school has a language unit which caters for students for whom English is a second language and who need extra support to enable them to fully participate in classroom programmes. ESOL students are taught by specialist ESOL teachers.

Essay Competition

Through a generous bequest Year 8 students take part in 'The Whitley Family Essay Competition' which provides two substantial prizes to assist students with their secondary school education expenses.

Problem Challenge

Year 7 and 8 students take part in the University of Otago's 'Problem Challenge'.

Year 7 students constructing for the Epro8 Challenge, an engineering and problem solving race

Performing Arts

Each year many opportunities are available for students to take part in performing arts groups, including the school choir, boys' choir, cheer squad, hip hop and jump jam - students leading other students in aerobic exercise.

School Camp

A school camp is offered to Year 5&6 and Y7&8 students every other year. The camps are 'Education Outside the Classroom' programmes and seek to test communication, problem solving, self-management, social co-operation and physical skills. They are great fun and eagerly awaited by students.

Second Language Programme

Mandarin is offered to Year 5 to Year 8 students. A mandarin learning assistant is employed to assist in the delivery of the programme.

Speech Contest

Each year, students from Years 5 & 6 and Years 7 & 8 compete to represent the school at a prepared and impromptu speech competition held throughout the Auckland region.

Student Council

Students from Years 3 - 8 make up the Student Council. Each classroom has two elected representatives who are issued with a badge. They attend regular meetings to discuss issues, help organise school events and support students, staff and community.

Student Leaders

Several Year 8 students are selected to be School Leaders. They have a range of duties around the school and are issued with a badge. They support students, staff and community.

Student Leadership Opportunities

Opportunities exist for students to develop leadership and complementary skills through becoming student monitors. These include librarians, bank tellers for school banking, road patrol monitors and membership of the Student Council.

After Hours Programmes

From time to time programmes are offered by specialist tutors on site after the end of the school day.