We are not the biggest provider of Speech and Drama Classes in Auckland and, actually we are not trying to be. If you are looking in the wider Auckland area -Shine and Head Held High are companies we regularly recommend our students to when we do not have space in our timetable. There are so many fabulous drama and musical theatre companies giving students a host of awesome experiences. People like us, passionate to bring goodness to their students. Ten Feet Tall offers quality Speech and Drama classes for families who live in Auckland.
Ten Feet Tall Mission
Ten Feet Tall is on a mission to bring 'Speech and Drama goodness' to the wider Albany, Greenhithe, Hobsonville and North Shore area. Our goal is to provide high quality and flexible service to our students. We're not about loads of classes or teachers. Ten Feet Tall families know that our approach is focused on quality teaching and embedding a breadth of skills in our students' speaking and performing toolbox.
Ten Feet Tall is focused on raising a generation of students who are empowered to stand tall in who they are and speak with confidence and authenticity. To support students so they can connect with people and create a positive lasting impact. To develop efficacious students who have a high self value and know how to communicate their skills for their future. Students who are equiped with the skills to play with body and voice, create in a multitude of ways, experiment with performance and reflect on all they are learning.
Quality Teaching and Learning
We are not just passionate about Speech and Drama, Ten Feet Tall employs teachers who are truely skilled in teaching Speech and Drama. That is the content of what we teach but also skilled in the science of teaching. All of our teachers have university level or Speech and Drama qualifications and a wealth of experience in teaching. Our focus is offering students a wide range of speaking and performing skills. Not only do we teach Speech and Drama we also teach Public Speaking for families who are looking to empower students with important speaking skills. Both classes are small group, quality programmes tailored to our students' learning goals. Read more about the difference between Speech and Drama and Drama Classes here.
Nearly all of our students sit Speech New Zealand examinations because simply they examine more skills than Trinity College does. Our curriculum focuses on ensuring a depth and breadth of skills our students are engaging in. Many of our students sit extension assessments or are involved in multiple performances a year -this is not based on quantity rather setting individual goals for students that they can work towards. Our approach is not just about the end result - yes, our students love the badges and certificates they receive. More so, it is about the journey that we support students on, as they get themselves ready to show an examiner their hard work and learn a host of skills as they achieve their goals.
Ten Feet Tall Approach
Our focus is empowering our students with a range of speaking and performing skills. It's a strengths based approach where we recognise their skills and empower them to reflect and build on these strengths with a growth mindset.
We have students sit over 300+ exams a year -but that number, or our outstanding pass rate or even our national scholarship winners - is not the most important aspect of our teaching. In truth, our programmes are about quality teaching and learning - never numbers.
Significant Weekly Moments
It's the small significant weekly moments that are most important. When a Year 1 student who has rarely spoken walks up the front and presents their show and tell; it's the Year 4 boy, quiet and shy who tells you he can't wait for his lesson as he passes you in the playground; it's the email from the mum who with elation tells you that their child has auditioned for the school play which would have been inconceivable only a few months ago; or the sporty kid who thought he would hate your classes and begs you for one more game at the end of a lesson; it's the special needs student who finds school tough but lives for their weekly Speech and Drama class; it's about the confident student who knows they have skills and thrives on developing within a curriculum that extends and challenges. It's about our Senior Students who when faced with the stress of school exams and teenage pressure, persevere and achieve their Speech and Drama Diploma. And, when they meet us for a coffee months later tell us how shocked they are to see how easy it is to present at university next to their peers.
Stand Tall
The success of our teaching is the outcomes of seeing our students stand tall in who they are and empowered to use their communication skills to make a difference in this world.
And that is what we are doing, offering classes to our community, six days a week on the North Shore with a skills-based focus. Because we know that Speech and Drama really does... make a difference.