Y8 students homeward bound after the trip of a lifetime!
Ficino’s unique approach to teaching about the Renaissance came vividly to life on this unforgettable journey through Italy and England. What had once been studied in the classroom was now experienced in the streets, galleries, and cathedrals where history was made. This annual trip is a cornerstone of a Ficino School educational experience. In Rome, […]
A Message from Mr Hudson – Why Shakespeare Still Matters
At Ficino School, we believe in the value of learning great words by heart — words that shape thought, build confidence, and stay with us for life. Shakespeare’s works are a prime example. His language is expressive, imaginative, and full of insight into human nature. Even centuries later, his plays explore themes we still face […]
Tools to help protect your child online in the digital age
The evolution of screen time for children and parents has been exponential in the past decade. When I was child TV was the only option. We were protected from adult content by the watershed – the time of day when programmes with content deemed only suitable for mature audiences began. The tide has well and […]
Ficino Cross Country – every effort counts
This morning’s assembly celebrated the place-getters from Ficino’s Cross Country. Mrs Clarke reminded us that every participant showed resilience by taking part, and even those who didn’t place still earned valuable points for their House — a fact that was met with great excitement! Place-getters were announced class by class, from New Entrants to Year […]
Junior Students Experience Yoga
Our junior students undertook a relaxing and restorative PE session last week. A hatha yoga practitioner guided them through a series of poses and breathing techniques. Hatha yoga is a branch of yoga that aims to preserve and channel energy. The Sanskrit word ‘hatha’ means ‘force’.
New Zealand History Brought to Life at Waitangi
As part of their HMC studies in New Zealand history, our Year 6 students recently embarked on a memorable journey to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds—widely regarded as the birthplace of our nation. At this iconic site, students learned about the historic signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, where over 40 rangatira (chiefs) entered into an […]
A Snapshot of Learning
Year 1 shared their favourite moments from Ambury Park, while Year 3 reflected on the theme of chivalry and led the assembly in the hymn “When a Knight Won His Spurs.” Year 5 showcased persuasive videos on topics like plastic waste and animal protection while Year 7 gave the audience a sneak peek of their […]
Speaking with confidence about Daffodil Day
Ficino students are given many opportunities to develop their public speaking skills throughout their education — from group presentations to formal speech competitions. Often, they recite works by well-known authors and thinkers, helping them build confidence and clarity in their delivery. The mid-week assembly was a great example of that growth. Our Head Girl and […]
Hands-on Learning at Ambury Farm
This week, our Year 1 and Year 3 students visited Ambury Farm for a practical learning experience. The trip gave students the chance to interact with a variety of farm animals, including feeding lambs, chickens, and turkeys. They checked out pigs, patted cows and lambs and went through a chicken hutch! They also got to churn […]
Alumni Stories – Tegan Brickland, 2012
We caught up with Tegan Brickland, former head student and graduate of 2012, to find out what she has been up to since she left Ficino. Q: What have you been up to since you left Ficino School? A: After Ficino I attended Mt Aspiring College in Wanaka. It was vastly different to Ficino […]
