What Learning Looks Like at Berkley
Berkley is a decile 8 state, co-educational composite school which provides learning programmes for students in Years 7 – 9. Approximately 780 students attend our school. There are usually up to 31 students in each home room.
Each student is carefully placed into one of our 26 homeroom classes. Homeroom teachers are responsible for teaching the core curriculum – with literacy and numeracy as a focus – as well as the delivery of semi-specialised programmes.
In addition, students work with our specialist staff who deliver programmes in: food technology, materials technology, visual art, music, dance, science, drama and physical education.
Berkley’s Story and Community
Berkley has a reputation for delivering a strong programme across all curriculum areas; for many years the school has enjoyed a unique reputation in the field of music. High quality literacy programmes are a feature of our school.
The school was opened in February 1971 and is situated in the Hamilton suburb of Hillcrest and is in close proximity to the University of Waikato and Ruakura Agricultural Research Centre. The school acquired composite status and became a Middle school in 1998, providing for learning in Years 7 – 9.
Berkley is a Normal School, and part of its special nature lies in the fact that it works closely with the education programmes of the Waikato University, Faculty of Education. A feature is that Newstead, Tamahere, Hillcrest, Silverdale and Knighton are Normal/Model Schools and they all contribute students to our school. Additional contributing schools are Tauwhare and Matangi. An increasing number of students enrol from the wider Hamilton and surrounding areas under our enrolment scheme should places be available.
Our Vision
Berkley’s plan centres on growing emerging adolescents through a strengths‑based 5‑P framework, focusing on purposeful learning, high‑quality teaching, strong relationships, culturally grounded practice, and meaningful community partnerships.
Meeting the Needs of the Emerging Adolescent
How We Make A Difference
Everyday 780 rapidly changing 10-14 year olds enrolled at Berkley Normal Middle School are making critical and complex life choices. They are forming attitudes, values and habits of life that will direct their behaviour as adults.
Our Middle School is therefore here to enhance the healthy growth of our young adolescents as lifetime learners who are increasingly competent, self-sufficient young people who are optimistic about their future.
School Environment
Our middle school environment was specifically created to meet the unique needs of emerging adolescents.
We address these needs in the following ways:
- A strong homeroom system where students spend the majority of their day with one teacher.
- A strong emphasis on the teaching of academic subjects by the homeroom teacher.
- Specialist teaching in Science, Technology, the Arts (visual and performing), Physical Education, Media and Second Language Learning.
- High quality teaching - supported by an intensive research based professional learning programme.
- Regular goal setting and reporting to parents culminating in a full written report at the end of the year.
- Provision of a safe, positive learning environment.
- A two year learning journey alongside a homeroom teacher that allows students to develop high quality one to one relationships.
- Classes carefully constructed to match students with teachers, and students with students.
- Extensive education outside the classroom experiences.
- Regular access to computers and digital devices as a tool for learning.
- An opportunity to develop healthy competition between peers within and across schools.
- A strong promotions programme which provides students with extensive opportunities to engage in actively supervised sporting, cultural and technological activities during break time.
- A rich and diverse programme of engagement in the Performing Arts including opportunities to perform to audiences