Celebrating Language, Identity and Excellence

At Ōtāhuhu Intermediate School – Te Kura Takawaenga o Ōtāhuhu, we are proud to offer bilingual learning pathways that celebrate the language, identity and culture of our students.

Our bilingual classes provide a rich learning environment where students can strengthen their connection to their heritage language while continuing to grow academically, socially and culturally. At OIS, we believe that when students know who they are and where they come from, they are better prepared to achieve Excellence for All.

Why Bilingual Learning Matters

Learning in two languages offers many benefits for young people. It helps students communicate with a wider range of people, strengthens their confidence in who they are, supports stronger literacy skills, and prepares them for future opportunities in Aotearoa and beyond.

Research also tells us that when a student’s first language is strong, learning in English can be strengthened too. Bilingual and biliterate students often experience greater academic success and gain the lifelong advantage of fluency in more than one language.

At OIS, our bilingual classes are about more than language. They are about belonging, pride, culture, family, achievement and identity.

Learning in Partnership with Whānau, Aiga and Famili

We know that bilingual education is strongest when school and families work together. Our bilingual pathways are built on strong relationships between ākonga, aiga, famili, whānau, kaiako and the wider community.

Throughout the year, families are invited to share their voice and aspirations through opportunities such as talanoa, fono, Whānau Learning Conferences, exhibitions of learning and school events.

Together, we aim to ensure that identity, language and culture remain central to learning, alongside a clear focus on academic success.

Our School Values in Action

Our bilingual classes bring our school values to life every day.

Respect is shown through the way students honour language, culture, elders, peers and the sacred space between people.

Personal Responsibility is shown as students take ownership of their learning, their duties, their language and their contribution to the class and wider school.

Passion is seen in the pride, energy and commitment students bring to learning, performance, language, leadership and cultural identity.

Through these values, our students are supported to become confident, connected and high-achieving young people.

Our Goals

Our bilingual classes aim to:

• strengthen students’ confidence in Samoan, Tongan, English and te reo Māori
• support students to become bilingual and biliterate
• provide culturally rich and academically strong learning pathways
• build strong connections between school, whānau, aiga and famili
• grow student leadership, wellbeing and pride
• celebrate culture as a strength across our school community