The junior school follows the general NZ curriculum. Our priorities are Numeracy and Literacy.

We follow an integrated approach for Social Studies, Health, Science, Technology and the Arts. Currently we focus on a subject area for a Term. Each class will participate in a unit that is based on the same general theme as the rest of the junior school. These topics include a diverse range of themes such as Oceanography, Gold, The Animal Kingdom and New Zealand Identity.

We believe in providing children with plenty of opportunities to try a range of thinking styles. Teachers specifically teach different thinking styles. In Yr 1 the children are introduced to the 6 thinking hats (De Bono), in Yr 6 the children are taught how to use the different intelligences as outlined by Howard Gardner.

One advantage of an area school is that we can give our junior students weekly Art and PE sessions that are taught by specialist teachers.

We have excellent teacher-aides as well as a specialist literacy teacher. This allows us to provide individual progammes for those children who need extra assistance. We offer Reading Recovery at our school.

We also have a Chaplain and our Public Health nurse is always on hand to help students, teachers and parents.

Extra- curricular activities

• Whanau groups: This happens every other Friday. We have put the children into mixed age and sex groups. This gives them an opportunity to work with other students and it encourages a 'family' approach in the junior school. During the sessions we work on topics like co-operation, respect, and team-work. Examples of activities are technology challenges, inter - whanau singing and sport competition, problem solving and providing positive services to the community. This year they have organized a free car- wash.
   
• Assemblies: These are held every alternate Friday and each class has the responsibility of hosting it.
   
• WOW assembly: This assembly happens at the end of the term at 5.30pm. This is a special assembly where we can show our parents some of the work that we are especially proud of. It is also a chance for teachers to give out extra special awards. Parents are invited to come to their children's classroom at the conclusion of the assembly. The WOW assembly is very popular and it is fantastic to see so many parents and grandparents supporting the education of their children.
   
• Jump Jam: We love Jump Jam at our school! Jump Jam is basically children's aerobics. We get together as a junior school on Fridays to have our loud, energetic and fun Jump Jam sessions. We have sent children to Jump Jam competitions in Dunedin and Auckland.
   
• Kapa haka: Students have the opportunity to join our Kapa haka group. This is developing into a strong group and it is led once again by dedicated and enthusiastic members of our community. Kapahaka is held during Friday lunchtime.
   
• Spelling and Social Studies Quiz: We give our students opportunities to represent our school at these Central Otago quizzes, usually held in Cromwell.
   
• Speech competition: Each year we send students to the Maniototo Schools Speech Competition.
   
• Police Education programmes: Our children regularly participate in Police Education programmes: Road Safety, Kia Kaha and Keeping Ourselves Safe.
   
• We have a great community library on site. Our students have regular access to this fantastic resource during school time and they are free to visit during lunch-time.
   
• Sport teams: There are many opportunities for our children to join Maniototo sports teams such as rugby, netball and hockey.
   
• Choir: This is a new innovation that is being trialed during Tuesday lunch time. We currently have a group of enthusiastic students who are preparing to perform to the school as well as the wider community.
   
• Adventure Time: This is a Christian based programme that is also held during Tuesday lunch time. This is run by dedicated community members and participation by the children is voluntary.