Moriah college is a small school of 35 – 50 pupils. We cater for pupils from aged 5 – 13 years. We are an “Integrated school” which means we comply with all the requirements of the National curriculum as well as run a programme that supports the Jewish “Special Character”. Our pupils come from all parts of Wellington and we have a mixture of Jewish and non Jewish children.

Jewish Pupils and many non Jewish children start the day with tefillah (prayers). Children have Jewish studies and Hebrew lessons three days a week. Hebrew is often taught through songs and games, and children learn to read, write and converse in Hebrew. Jewish studies include study of the Torah, and Haftorah, studies of noteworthy Jewish people, study of the prayers and the festivals, study of Jewish history – both ancient and modern, and study of Jewish philosophy and ethics.

We celebrate all the Jewish Chaggim (festivals) which help to create both a sense of identity for Jewish children and a good understanding of the Jewish faith and culture for non Jewish children. A recent review of pupils who had graduated from Moriah in the last three years showed the Jewish Special Character of the school was a very positive part of their time at Moriah

We have a full time Jewish Studies and Hebrew teacher, a full time teacher, a part time teacher, and the Principal who divides her time between classroom teaching and administration work. Class sizes are usually 10 – 20 pupils and we are able to provide a lot of one to one teaching and individual programmes for pupils needing either support or extension work. As a result of this high teacher pupil ratio children attending Moriah have a high level of reading, writing and maths skills.

Situated close to the heart of Wellington we are able to make the most of many educational and creative activities that are held in Wellington. Children from Moriah take part in a children’s arts festival, go to musical and theatre productions, and enjoy interactive exhibitions at Te Papa, our National museum.

The staff at Moriah College and Moriah Kindergarten work together on a number of occasions. Many of the Chaggim are celebrated together, and pupils moving from the kindergarten to the school find the process very easy as they become familiar with the school and other pupils before making the transition to school.