Head Held High holiday programmes are full of fun, learning and creativity for students aged Year 1 to Year 8. The programmes are taught by the same professional, enthusiastic and caring teachers who teach our speech and drama lessons across Auckland during the school terms, and they pack the day with speech and drama games and activities that kids love.
Designed by our Head Teacher – Erica Kröger – each day will be as FUN as possible for the children, whether they’re having their first taste of speech and drama or are experienced campaigners with Head Held High.
It’s really important to us that all students feel welcome and comfortable, regardless of their level of previous speech & drama experience or interest.
Our teachers are experts at reading the individual requirements within a group, and the holiday programme games and activities will be delivered in ways that are engaging and challenging to all individuals’ skill levels, simultaneously.
• Choose to come for 1, 2, 3 or 4 days of the week.
• Designed for Years 1 – 8, so siblings can attend together.
• A quality programme at a price that won’t break the bank.
• Each day is HUGE on fun-factor.
• Sibling discounts available.
• Bring-a-friend discounts available.
20th to 23rd December
& 24th to 27th January
9am – 3pm each day
For students in Year 1 to Year 8
At Ponsonby Community Centre
Open to all-comers, from all schools
1-day = $80
2-days = $150
3-days = $210
4-days = $280
Siblings = 10% discount.
Bring-a-friend = Mention the friend who recommended our holiday programme to you and you’ll both get a 10% discount.
*Sibling discounts and bring-a-friend discounts may not be used in conjunction with each other.
Anything nutritious, that they enjoy eating and will sustain them for a day of high energy fun, games, laughter and activity. A lunch similar to what you’d send them to school with is a great place to start.
Something comfortable! They will be having a great time and doing lots of physical activity so exercise gear is fine.
Our speech and drama holiday programme is all about being active, creative, dynamic, laughing, collaborating, and performing. While the exact activities will vary from day-to-day, generally in the mornings your children will be playing lots of games and activities that stimulate the imagination. Once they’re in that zone, in the afternoons they’ll use some of the themes they explored that morning to collaboratively create stories and scenes amongst themselves, which they’ll perform to each other.
Maximum 1:12 with a minimum of 2 staff on site at any given time.
Please discuss these needs with us prior to enrolling. The more we know about how we can best help your child, the better we can prepare to provide as much fun and care as possible for her/him. While the ability of our programme to accommodate special needs is dependent on factors like the requirements of the child, the facilities we’re using, and the qualifications and availability of our teachers. We are happy to say that we are able to accommodate a wide variety of needs, and look forward to discussing the particular needs you and your child may have of us.
One of the fantastic things about speech and drama is that anyone can do it. We recommend that Year 1 and 2s attending be physically and emotionally mature enough to be able to keep up with older children for a full 6 hours. At the same time, a big part of speech and drama is about being courteous, thoughtful and empathetic. So, older children are constantly encouraged to look after their younger classmates in our holiday programmes.
In a word, no. Although the format will be familiar to children attending multi-days (a routine breeds comfort in children), no two days’ games, activities or teaching points are the same.
This is approached on a situational basis by our teachers. Some games, activities and teaching themes are best explored by children when they’re with their age peers. Other times, having an age-spread in groups for activities stimulates more fun and better learning for the kids. So, across a day and week, children on our holiday programmes alternate time with age peers, and time with mixed age groups. Please note, however, that we would never put your child in a group where he or she feels uncomfortable because the other children are significantly older or younger. We’re all about providing a relaxed, nurturing environment where children feel completely comfortable.
We choose not to build towards a performance at the end of the week, as we’ve found this format not to be what the majority of our children want. Over the years we’ve experimented with different formats and found that on the whole children respond with more joy to the spontaneity and freedom of enjoying dozens of games, activities and mini-performances throughout a week. Those who love performing are still well catered for, as they get to enjoy doing multiple mini-performances in a day. Lastly, in not building towards an end-of-week show, it means children/parents have the freedom to choose 1, 2, 3 or 4 days of a week, rather than having to attend all days.
No children will ever be left waiting alone. Our teachers will take as much care as possible to ensure the safety of the children. If your child is still waiting for you at 3.15pm the teachers will start to call you on the phone numbers you’ve provided.
” My kids came to head Held High’s holiday programme for their first time, and were nervous about coming. But once there, they were welcomed warmly and immediately brought into a fun and encouraging space, barely saying goodbye to me! At the end of the day they were fizzing with stories and laughter and smiles, retelling their whole day – they loved it! “
A really important part of our holiday programme is providing space for each participant to feel comfortable to explore their imaginative and creative abilities.
That just simply doesn’t work if we cram as many participants as possible into the programmes.
For that reason, each week of our holiday programmes is restricted to 22 participants.
To avoid disappointment, we recommend that you get in early and quickly to reserve your spots.
Our holiday programmes often sell out, so make sure you’re the early bird with the worm!
To book your spot, or to enquire with any questions you may have, please use the form below…
