Kauri is where it all begins for so many of our students. For parents and caregivers, this can be a nerve racking time and our open door policy ensures that both parents and children feel comfortable about their 'starting school' experiences. Being a relatively small class we are able to respond to individual learning needs. Children are guided through the curriculum programme and their learning and teaching needs are responded to accordingly. We use a number of assessment tools to ensure each child's educational needs are met. 
We regularly invite specialised sports people into the school to share their skills with the students including The Wellington Phoenix, The Wellington Lions, The Pulse and Kiwi Golf.
We have an intensive language and culture programme within the school and Spanish and Te Reo Maori are integral part of our teaching programme.
Kauri
(new entrant to year 2)
Teacher: Jenny Austin
Co-Principal Release Teacher: Suzanne Moran
Children have an early introduction to the city with fortnightly library visits and our regular EoTC programme.
Kauri is a nurturing environment where children quickly become familiar with working alongside students of different ages and abilities. Peer support is strongly encouraged, and students soon feel a part of the CTMS family.
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Kowhai
(year 3 to year 4)
Teacher: Murray McMillan
Kowhai homegroup is situated right next door to Kauri, an adjoining door allows Kauri students to become familiar with Kowhai before they change classes. Students who move through to Kowhai from Kauri do so through an archway that the children from each class make with their arms. Both classes sing a 'Goodbye" and "Hello" song in Spanish to mark the transition.
Kowhai homegroup is made up of year 3 and 4 students. The move through to Kowhai is a step of independence, where students are given the necessary support to work co-operatively with other's and to develop into independent learners. Within the classroom environment, students are expected to value each others differences in order to develop positive relationships. They are given the opportunity to learn and develop their confidence within the eight learning areas of the curriculum with a particular focus on literacy, numeracy, the arts, and EOTC experiences. Within these contexts students are encouraged to begin making their own learning decisions and to reflect upon the work they create.
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Kahikatea
(year 5 - year 8)
Teacher: Brigid Conaglen
Kahikatea homegroup is a composite class of Year 5 to Year 8 students.
Situated in upstairs, the Kahikatea classroom is where students operate within a school ethos of commitment to self and community.Classroom programmes emphasise independence, leadership and the application of Numeracy and Literacy skills to respond to interests, events and social issues of importance to the students, the school and the community.
Year 5-8 students are given a wide variety of social, cultural and sporting experiences to support, challenge and develop their thinking, ideas, responses and personal ‘voice’ on topics. Student ‘voice’ is valued and encouraged through Leadership opportunities such as the School’s Student Council, ‘Enviroschools’ and ‘Young Leadership’ programmes.
Year 7 and 8 students are given further opportunities to develop higher levels of self-reliance, self-responsibility and independence through our active EOTC and School’s City Passport programmes. Within these programmes students attend/participate in activities and events within the city as independent groups to develop skills and personal interests within the NZ Curriculum framework.
These varied opportunities and experiences prepare Year 8 students for secondary school as focused, independent thinkers and learners who have skills and abilities to challenge themselves to higher levels of achievement, to initiate projects, to collaborate and work with others and to complete projects that have both personal and wider community focus and benefit.
