Primary

Welcome to Primary at KingsGate School
At KingsGate School, our Primary years provide a strong foundation for a lifetime of faith, learning, and service. We believe that every child is uniquely created by God with purpose, value, and potential, and our Christian special character is woven through every aspect of school life. Through daily prayer, biblical teaching, worship, and Christ-centred relationships, students are encouraged to grow in both their faith and their understanding of the world around them.
Our Primary School is organised into two learning communities: Puriri (Years 1–3) and Totara (Years 4–6). These learning spaces provide nurturing, engaging environments where students are known, valued, and supported as they develop academically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually. We recognise that the early years of education are critically important, which is why we are committed to getting the basics right.
At KingsGate, we place a strong emphasis on literacy and mathematics, ensuring students develop the essential knowledge and skills needed for future success. Our teachers have participated in extensive Structured Literacy professional learning and development, equipping them with evidence-based approaches that support every child to become a confident reader, writer, and communicator. In mathematics, we use the internationally recognised Maths — No Problem! framework, helping students build deep conceptual understanding, mathematical confidence, and strong problem-solving skills.
We have also wholeheartedly embraced New Zealand's Curriculum Refresh. Rather than viewing curriculum change as an obligation, we see it as an opportunity to strengthen teaching and learning while remaining grounded in our Christian worldview. Our programmes are carefully designed to combine high academic expectations with rich opportunities for creativity, inquiry, service, and character development.
Primary at KingsGate is more than a place of learning; it is a community where children are encouraged to know God, love learning, serve others, and discover the gifts and talents He has placed within them. We are committed to partnering with families to provide a safe, caring, and Christ-centred environment where young people can flourish and be inspired to pursue excellence in all they do.

Meet Mrs Cadelis - The Head of Primary
Mrs Cadelis is KingsGate School's Head of Primary and one of our two Deputy Principals. She leads all aspects of Primary School life, ensuring our youngest learners experience a high-quality, Christ-centred education where they are known, valued, and encouraged to thrive.
Having recently completed a Master's degree in Educational Leadership, Mrs Cadelis has played a key role in leading curriculum refresh initiatives, assessment developments, and reporting changes. She oversees the Puriri and Tōtara learning communities and leads the implementation of Positive Behaviour for Learning (PB4L) across the Primary School.
Passionate about both academic excellence and spiritual growth, Mrs Cadelis works closely with staff and families to ensure KingsGate's Christian special character is woven throughout daily school life. Her genuine care for students, commitment to excellence, and dedication to nurturing each child's God-given potential help create a Primary School community where children flourish in faith, learning, and character.

Reflecting Christ in How We Present Ourselves
At KingsGate School, we encourage our students to wear their uniform with pride, recognising that it represents more than simply belonging to a school community. As a Christian school, our uniform reflects the values we seek to live out each day, including responsibility, respect, self-discipline, and care for others. Wearing the uniform neatly and respectfully helps create a sense of belonging and reminds students that they are part of a community of faith and learning where we strive to honour God in both our actions and attitudes. Our motto, To Know, To Love, To Serve, encourages students to grow in their relationship with God, care for others, and use their gifts to make a positive difference. By wearing their uniform with pride, students represent both themselves and KingsGate School, demonstrating Christ-like character and a readiness to learn, serve, and contribute positively to our school community.

Beginning Each Day with Christ
Each day in Primary begins with a time of prayer, praise, and reflection on a memory verse. These moments are far more than part of our daily routine; they are a vital expression of who we are as a Christian school. By praying together, worshipping God through praise, and committing Scripture to memory, students learn to place Christ at the centre of their day and develop habits that strengthen their faith over time. Like the Kōwhai, whose brilliant yellow blossoms bring light, colour, and hope after winter, God's Word illuminates our hearts and minds with truth, wisdom, and encouragement. As students encounter Scripture each day, they are drawn into a deeper relationship with God and learn to view their learning, relationships, and choices through a biblical lens. These daily practices help nurture faith, build spiritual resilience, and establish foundations that we hope will remain with our students throughout their lives.

Daily Literacy and Mathematics
At KingsGate School, we believe strong foundations create confident learners. In line with the refreshed New Zealand Curriculum, we set aside dedicated time each day for reading, writing, and mathematics, ensuring students receive explicit, systematic instruction in these essential learning areas. Our literacy programme is grounded in structured literacy approaches, providing a carefully sequenced pathway for students to develop reading, writing, spelling, and handwriting skills. Through explicit teaching of phonics, vocabulary, spelling patterns, and language structures, students build the knowledge and confidence needed to become successful readers and writers. This approach ensures that learning is cumulative, with each new skill building on what has already been mastered. In mathematics, we use a structured approach that follows a clear year-by-year progression of concepts, procedures, and problem-solving strategies. Students develop both conceptual understanding and procedural fluency, enabling them to apply mathematical thinking accurately, reason effectively, make connections between ideas, and solve problems in a range of contexts. By prioritising daily literacy and mathematics instruction, we equip students with the foundational skills they need to thrive across all areas of learning.