Big Rock Primary School

Welcome to Big Rock Primary School, located at 2 Bath Street in Dunedin, New Zealand. My name is David Grant, and I am honored to serve as the Principal of this wonderful institution. At Big Rock, we have an incredible team of dedicated teachers and support staff, as well as a supportive community of parents and guardians. Most importantly, we have amazing, hard-working, engaged, friendly, resilient, and happy children.

Our primary goal at Big Rock is to provide the best possible educational and developmental experiences for all of our students. We achieve this by building solid foundations in numeracy and literacy, and by creating a stimulating and safe learning environment. Our success levels in reading, writing, and mathematics are excellent, thanks to our topic-based integrated approach. We integrate children's interests and key learning areas such as science, social sciences, art, and technology into our programs, adding meaning and depth to their learning experiences.

To support our core programs, we have developed a teaching model based on investigation, explanation, and presentation. This model encourages children to explore their inquiring minds, share their thoughts and ideas, and develop their presentation skills and strategies. Additionally, we understand the importance of real and meaningful learning experiences, which is why we incorporate Education Outside the Classroom (E.O.T.C.) activities and class trips to support topic-based learning.

At Big Rock, we also offer an adventure-based E.O.T.C. program that includes activities such as surfing, kayaking, mountain biking, road safety, deep-sea fishing, and scuba diving. These activities not only provide physical benefits but also support self-esteem and mental health, leading to improved outcomes in core curriculum areas. We also have a comprehensive biking program that involves all children, from early riders to advanced mountain bike extension groups.

Our ultimate goal is to nurture happy, resilient, lifelong learners with solid foundations in reading, writing, and mathematics. Our curriculum and delivery methods have proven successful, with high levels of engagement, attendance, and achievement. None of this would be possible without the incredible support of our whanau (extended family) and our amazing children.

Big Rock is not only a great place for children to learn, play, grow, and develop, but it is also a pretty cool place to work. We invite you to come and see for yourself during our upcoming open days on 24th and 25th July, from 3pm to 6pm. Please note that if you have more than one child, we recommend allowing time between appointments to move between classrooms. Bookings can be made through our app or through the office after the term break.

For more information, please feel free to contact us at 03 4811781 or email us at office@bigrock.school.nz. We look forward to welcoming you to Big Rock Primary School, where every child's potential is nurtured and celebrated.