Maungatapu Primary School has a variety of sporting opportunities, see below for more information regarding these.
Participating in school sports and extracurricular activities offers students invaluable learning opportunities. From exploring new sports to engaging in ones they enjoy, students not only develop and strengthen a variety of skills but also acquire essential social skills and the chance to build friendships.
The success of our school’s sports programs relies on the generous assistance and support from parents and whanau. We are continually seeking enthusiastic family members to coach or manage our teams or volunteer at school-run events. No prior experience is necessary, and the time commitment is minimal. It is a fantastic and positive experience, and your child will greatly appreciate your involvement. For more information about coaching or managing a Maungatapu Primary School Sports Team, please reach out to the Sports Coordinator at sports@maungatapu.school.nz.
SPORTING CODES
Basketball
Basketball is available for years 0 to 6 students, in Terms 1, 2, 3 and 4. It is run by Tauranga City Basketball. There are currently three leagues – Summer Basketball, Winter Basketball and Spring Basketball.
It is a fun, safe way to introduce your child to the game. This team sport promotes team work, ball skills, communication and is a lot of fun.
Year 0, 1 and 2 – ‘Little League’ games are 22 minutes long and played on half a basketball court. To ensure players get to handle the ball there are only 4 players on the court. The primary objective of the league is for players to have fun, whilst learning the concept of a team game and developing basic basketball skills in a safe environment.
Year 3 and 4 – ‘Miniball’ games are played in 2 x 12 minute halves and are played on a full sized basketball court. They are played with 5 players on the court. The primary objective of the league at this age level is to develop young player’s skills in a safe, encouraging and positive environment.
Year 5 and 6 – Basketball games are played in 4 x 10 minute quarters and are played on a full sized basketball court. They are played with 5 players on the court. At this level the game is played on full size hoops, and with normal basketball rules.
Games are played at the Trustpower Arena, Baypark Mt Maunganui. Summer and Spring Basketball are played on a Monday afternoon and Winter Basketball is played on a Friday afternoon.
Tennis
Tennis is available for years 0 to 6 students, in Terms 1, 2, 3 and 4. It is run by Peter Blow from the Papamoa Tennis Club.
This is a very popular programme and Peter is a very experienced senior Tennis Coach who offers a fantastic and fun way to learn the skills of Tennis. Peter modifies his skill-based activities so that children can pick up the skills easily and quickly.
Tennis is available for years 0 to 6 students. Sessions are held on the Maungatapu Primary School Courts on a Thursday morning, before School starts, from 8:00am to 8:55am.
Gymnastics Academy
Air track tumble classes are on offer to our tamariki at Maungatapu school. The 1 hour session is delivered by trained coaches from the Gymnastics Academy which is run by Marie Connolly. It is open all ages, beginners through to advanced with participants receiving a graded certificate on completion. Classes are offered Tuesdays after school over all terms.
Marie’s knowledge in this area is extensive and the programme focuses on movement and motor skills.
“I would like to see more children improving their fundamental motor skills, increasing their confidence and participating in recreational gymnastics from an early age. Children who are confident with their movements are more likely to participate in active play and live a healthy lifestyle.” (Marie Connolly)
Football
Football is available to all year levels and is delivered by Waipuna Football Club. We currently offer this in term 1 and 4. Football is a very popular activity at Maungatapu and this shows in the number of teams that we are able to register each term. Teams fill up fast.
The goal for this league is to provide a fun and friendly playing environment for everyone involved. It is not a competition, simply a platform where children can have a run around with their friends or giving some a chance to learn a new sport.
Kiwi Volleyball
Kiwi Volleyball is available for year 3, 4, 5 and 6 students, in Term 1 and Term 2. It is run by Tauranga Volleyball Association.
The modified rules used in Kiwi Volleyball are a fantastic, easy and fun way to introduce your child to the game. Volleyball is a great way to improve your child’s hand-eye coordination, reflexes and balance.
Kiwi Volleyball is available for year 3, 4, 5 and 6 students. Games are played at QEYC, Memorial Park on a Friday afternoon from 3:30pm onwards.
Rippa Rugby
Rippa Rugby is available for year 0 to 6 students, in Term 1 and Term 4. It is run by BOP Rugby.
Rippa Rugby is a fast, safe, no-contact, easy game to play for both boys and girls. Being non-contact, it is perfect for those who don’t play rugby, but would like to give it a go. For those who do play rugby, Rippa Rugby is an ideal way to keep up your rugby skills and fitness. It is kind of a cross between rugby and touch rugby. It is a very popular sport.
Rippa Rugby is available for year 0 to 6 students. Games are played at Waipuna Park, Welcome Bay on a Thursday afternoon between the times of 4:00pm and 6:00pm.
Hockey
Hockey is available for years 0 to 6 students, in Term 2 and 3. It is run by Tauranga Hockey Association, and varies for each age group.
The aim of the programme is to provide greater focus on skill sets across the age groups, so as to prepare players to better cope with the later competitive programmes. The fast paced nature of Hockey helps improve balance, coordination, team work, communication and endurance.
Year 0, 1 and 2 – ‘Fun Sticks’ is a fundamental skills programme. Children rotate around various skill stations then finish with mini games. ‘Fun Sticks’ is on a Saturday morning at Tauranga Boys College Hockey Turf, from 9:00am till 10:00am.
Year 3 to 6 – ‘Small Sticks’ is the competitive hockey league. Games are played on smaller fields and with less players and modified rules, in order to improve their skills and enjoyment for the game. Year 3/4 teams play in the ‘Kiwi Sticks’ League, Year 5/6 team’s play in the ‘Mini Sticks’ League.
Games are played on a Saturday morning between 8:40am and 12:40pm. Most games are played at Tauranga Hockey Centre, Kawaka Street, Mt Maunganui. Occasionally games are held at Bethlehem College and Tauranga Boys College.
Netball
Netball is available for years 0 to 6 students, in Term 2 and 3. It is run by Harbourside Netball Association.
The main focus of ‘future FERNS Netball’ at a Primary School level is on skill development. Player rotation is compulsory, so all players can try different positions on the court, and learn all the skills necessary to enjoy the game. Netball is a great way to improve your child’s hand-eye coordination, reflexes and balance
Year 0, 1 and 2 – The focus for this age group is on exploring Netball. It allows players to catch, pass, and shoot from day one, providing a fun introduction to Netball. Children work through various skill-based activities then finish with mini games. The games are played on a third of the netball court and have 4 players on the court with modified hoops.
Year 3 and 4 – The focus for this age group is on learning the basics of Netball. It is designed to be fast and fun, maximising participation and touches of the ball. With modified equipment and less players on the court the game is less complicated. The games are played on two thirds of the netball court and have 5 players on the court with lowered goal posts.
Year 5 and 6 – Netball continues to be modified for this age group. Players rotate to prevent early specialisation in positions. The emphasis is on all players getting plenty of touches of the ball and the opportunity to develop a broad skill set. The game is played on a full sized netball court with lowered goal posts and has 6 players on the court.
Games are played at Harbourside Netball Courts, Mt Maunganui on a Saturday morning.
MUSIC
Every week Maungatapu School students have the fantastic opportunity to take part in a wide variety of instrument lessons. By partnering with Jacob from ‘Music In Schools’ students have access to specialist tuition in Ukulele, Guitar, Singing, Drums, Piano and Bass.
Jacob is an experienced music teacher who has a real passion for music education and has personally taught over 25,000 school music lessons both here in Aotearoa and Australia.
Lessons take place every Wednesday throughout the school day with some lessons also held during break times and after school.
As spaces for these lessons fill up very fast please contact Jacob directly for more info by visiting the Music In Schools website here: https://www.musicinschools.co.nz
Ukulele (For ages 5+)
The ukulele is the perfect instrument for kids under the age of 7 to learn! Not only is it a great instrument on its own, but it’s also a fantastic introduction for those interested in the guitar. During our lessons we will learn about counting and patterns, chords and notes, different types of strums, and working to play together while learning some great songs.
Piano/Keyboard (For ages 5+)
Piano and Keyboard will always be one of the most popular instruments around. Music In Schools takes kids through the complete journey from beginner to being an accomplished player, plus all of the steps in between. In lessons we will cover reading music, correct technique, using both the right and left hands, playing along with music/other students, tempo, time signatures and much more!
Guitar (For ages 6+)
Having spent the better part of the past 20 years working with Guitar Students of all levels, guitar lessons have been the real backbone of Music In Schools. Guitar lessons will cover how to read music and TAB, strumming patterns and styles, counting time, correct practice techniques, chords and single-note melodies, plus playing to music or in a group setting.
Bass (For ages 6+)
Bass is hands down one of the coolest instruments on the planet! Each week students have the opportunity to take part in bass lessons and learn such a fun and often overlooked instrument! In lessons we will cover reading bass music/charts, recognising tempo and timing of notes, proper bass playing techniques, actually playing current popular songs, and playing along with others in a band style.
Drums (For ages 7+)
Our weekly lessons will cover all aspects of drumming required to take kids from absolute beginners to competent drummers. In lessons we will cover how to read drum music, common groove patterns found in R&B, Pop, Funk, Rock, Jazz and more, counting time, drum rudiments including paradiddles, flams, accents, double sticking and much more!
Singing (For ages 8+)
Everyone is different and this is especially true for singers. Every week we help students develop good singing techniques while learning key fundamental practices. They are encouraged to find their own personal style and X-Factor while gaining real confidence and belief in themselves! In lessons we will cover breathing techniques, proper singing posture, learning to recognise pitch, warm-up tips and exercises, and how to approach and arrange your favourite songs.