Diverse Learners - Pakuranga College

Pegasus Learning Centre

The Pegasus Learning Centre supports students with additional needs to get more from their time at school. We have three bespoke streams of support to fit the diverse needs of our students.

For students with learning disabilities, we offer a specialised education unit that goes beyond teaching the curriculum; imparting life skills, fostering independence, encouraging socialisation, and building confidence to help students reach their potential.

Our tailored learning environment creates a safe and nurturing space where students can feel at home, while still being connected to the wider college. This offers plenty of opportunities for inclusion and interaction with mainstream students.

This area is staffed by a combination of teachers and teacher aides who are experienced and passionate about supporting students in their educational and social endeavours. We work closely with whānau and the community to ensure that students are respected, have a sense of belonging, and become responsible individuals.

Learning Support

We also support students who have gaps in their education or are working at a slower pace, to transition between year levels or from school successfully.

At Year 9 and 10 students are based in a core classroom for the foundation subjects of English, Mathematics, Social Studies, and Health and PE. Students have an opportunity to experience mainstream curriculum classes as well, through Language, Technology and Arts options. Smaller class sizes, experienced teachers, and a slower pace help students shift back into mainstream classes.

For students who require continued specialised support in Year 11 and beyond, the Pegasus Learning Centre allows them to follow the curriculum, adapted to meet individual needs. Students have the option to attend mainstream classes where appropriate and are still able to work towards NCEA, but this will be a gradual process.

Holistic Support

For students achieving at or above the curriculum level, but who have other challenges like anxiety, trauma, behavioural issues, or sensory processing disorders the Pegasus Learning Centre offers a calm and highly supportive environment where learning and wellbeing are intertwined.

A multi-level class tailors individualised programmes for students based on their personal needs and is overseen by staff equipped to provide emotional and relational support. The goal of this class is to slowly transition students back to a full mainstream timetable when the student, whānau and school see this as appropriate.

Gifted and Talented

For students achieving at high levels within the curriculum, we offer the opportunity for them to extend and stretch themselves through multi-levelling subjects and dedicated extension classes, alongside university courses where appropriate.

Student Testimonials

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ColinYear 12
“I like the Pegasus Learning Centre because I get lots of helps from the teacher aides. The teacher explains the work clearly and helps me to understand what to do.”

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AshleighYear 13
“I have found that my teachers truly do work to extend students who are finding class easier, by providing challenging problems or extra work. For students who are excelling, they encourage us to think more deeply about the work we are learning and ask more ‘why’ questions. My teachers motivate me to think independently.

I take the MATH199 university course and my teachers are super supportive, often checking in with me to see if I need any extra help or assistance. Taking a university-level paper has kept me engaged and deepened my understanding of Calculus and Mathematics.”

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ValentinaYear 13
“This year I’m not taking Maths at school, I’m studying it at university. Being able to multi-level during my time at the college meant I completed my NCEA Level 3 Maths qualifications early, but my teachers recommended I join the MATH199 course run by the University of Canterbury for my final year.

Being able to experience a sense of university while still in high school has increased my time management skills and is excellent preparation for tertiary study, plus as a MATH199 student I can bypass the first year of engineering at the University of Canterbury, which is an incredible opportunity.

I still have a full timetable of other subjects but my teachers are very accommodating when I need to sit MATH199 tests and exams during classes and they are always available to help me catch up on any work I’ve missed.”

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JamesYear 13
“The Kapa Haka group came to the unit to play some games with us for Matariki. We did the pukana game, sang songs, and worked the sticks. It was a great time.”

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MillieYear 11
“I like coming to school and seeing my friends. I also like my teachers and teacher aides. I like celebrating each other’s birthdays at school with my friends and playing basketball in PE. I enjoy going to CrossFit and table tennis.”

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AshleighYear 13
“I had the opportunity to take both Level 1 Math and Science in Year 10. Taking these Level 1 courses a year in advance enabled me to study three Sciences across three years, something I wouldn’t have otherwise done. It also meant that by the time I got to Year 13, I could pick up three other subjects that interested me, rather than select subjects purely for academic success.”

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MacKenzieYear 10
“I like my friends at school. I love morning tea and lunch because I walk with my friends and I talk to so many people. CrossFit is really fun and allows me to do exercise and keep fit.”

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ReubenYear 12
“We went to Mrs Merchant’s science lab to do some experiments. We filtered some chemicals and got to see what the Bunsen burner could do. She had safety goggles for us to wear to keep our eyes safe.”

Weekly Office Hours
Monday – Friday 8am – 4pm

Phone: (09) 5347159
Fax: (09) 5342365
Email: info@pakuranga.school.nz

Physical Address
Pigeon Mountain Road
Half Moon Bay
Auckland 2012

Postal Address
PO Box 82090
Highland Park
Auckland 2143