Springbank School, Kerikeri

Key facts

About Springbank School

Springbank School is an independent co-educational school in the Bay of Islands, Northland, catering for students from Year 1 to Year 13. It was founded in 1996 by Sophia and Bob Warren and is situated on a 14-hectare rural campus.

The school is not faith-based or iwi-affiliated. Its stated educational focus is on building capability, character, and confidence, organised around seven areas it calls its Learning Framework: Academic, Leadership, Enterprise, Health & Wellbeing, Sport & Outdoor Adventure, Creative Arts, and Community Contribution.

Two related programmes have been added over time: Springbank Preschool, established in 2006 to provide early childhood education, and Springbank Headstart, established in 2011 as a transition-to-school programme for five-year-olds.

Campus facilities include purpose-built classrooms, a science laboratory, art room, library, a full-size gymnasium with rock wall, an artificial turf, sports fields, and a fitness trail running through the property.

Curriculum

Springbank School teaches the Cambridge Assessment International Education curriculum from Preschool through to Year 13, in place of New Zealand's national curriculum. NCEA is not offered.

Junior School (Years 1–6)

The Junior School programme emphasises reading, oral and written language, mathematical fluency, and information technology. Students also receive specialist teaching in physical education, science, enterprise studies, and the arts, alongside social studies and thinking skills. At the end of Years 4–6, students sit Primary Progressive Tests. Year 6 students may sit the Cambridge International Primary Checkpoint Examinations in English, mathematics, and science, which are externally marked by Cambridge International.

Middle School (Years 7–9)

Middle School students are taught across the following subjects:

• Mathematics
• English
• Science
• Social Studies
• Enterprise
• Art
• Design Technology
• Music
• Thinking Skills
• Drama
• Physical Education
• Health
• ICT/Computing
• Foreign language study

Students in Years 7 and 8 sit internally marked progressive tests in English, mathematics, and science. Year 9 students begin the first year of IGCSE Core courses in English, Mathematics, and Science.

Senior School (Years 10–13)

The Cambridge International programme continues through the senior years. In Year 10, students complete the second year of IGCSE Core courses in English, Mathematics, and Science, and begin the first year of two-year IGCSE option subjects. In Year 11, students sit IGCSE Extended Mathematics and IGCSE Coordinated Sciences international examinations, and begin a two-year Cambridge International AS Level English Language programme. In Years 12 and 13, students study Cambridge International AS and A Level subjects. IGCSE typically requires 7–8 subjects; A Levels typically require 3–4 subjects per year. Second languages — including French, German, Japanese, and Spanish — can be arranged through tutors.

Co-curricular and Extra-curricular Activities

Springbank School offers co-curricular activities alongside a directory of external clubs and associations in the wider Kerikeri and Far North area. Some external providers, including music tutors, hold lessons on the school site.

Sports

• Hockey — school teams coordinated through the school across four age grades: Mini Sticks (Years 2–4), Kiwi Sticks (Years 5–6), Intermediate (Years 7–8), and Collegiate (Years 9–13)
• Athletics — via Athletics Bay of Islands Inc
• Archery — via Bay of Islands Archery Club, Oromahoe Road
• Basketball — via Northland Basketball
• Cricket — via Kerikeri Cricket Club
• Football — via Kerikeri Football Club, Waipapa
• Golf — via Bay of Islands Golf Club, Kerikeri, and The Pro Shop Waitangi
• Gymnastics — via Kerikeri Gymnastics Club Incorporated, Kerikeri Road
• Badminton — via BaySport, Waipapa
• Inline Hockey — via BaySport, Waipapa
• Judo — via BaySport, Waipapa
• Horse Riding — via Redcliffs Equestrian

Performing Arts and Dance

• Dance (Ballet) — via Turning Pointe Dance, Waipapa
• Dance (Ballet, Hip Hop, Jazz) — via Dance Vibes NZ, Kerikeri
• Theatre — via Kerikeri Theatre Company

Music

• Drums, Piano, Guitar, Bass, Ukulele — via Monstar Skool of Rock; lessons can be held at the school
• Piano and Keyboard — via Ruth Simpson's Music School; lessons held at Springbank School
• Guitar, Bass, Drums, Keyboard, Piano, Singing, Saxophone, Trumpet, Flute, and Theory — via Kerikeri School of Music, Hobson Avenue
• Violin — individual lessons available during and after school hours for all ages and levels, preschool to Year 13

Other Activities

• Chess Club — via Kerikeri Chess Club, held at Procter Library Kerikeri; open to all skill levels and ages
• Photography — via Claire 'Flash' Gordon Photography
• Girls Brigade — held at Cornerstone Church, Kerikeri, Thursdays 3:30–5:30pm
• Scouts — via Kerikeri Scout Group, Landing Road; sections for ages 5–18 (Keas, Cubs, Scouts, Venturers)