In Term 1, kaiako (teachers) in one of the Year 4–6 learning commons at Hobsonville Point Primary School noticed their ākonga's exercise books weren’t lasting. Torn covers and loose pages made them impractical for daily use.
The Challenge
- Covers came off: Many books didn’t last the term, making it harder for students to keep their work together and to know whose book was whose.
- Easily damaged: Some students were less willing to use them, which made learning more difficult.
- Lines too close together: Made neat handwriting harder for this age group.
“The exercise books the students started using in Term 1 were getting ratty very quickly. The covers were falling off on almost all exercise books, which is not an ideal experience for these young learners.”
Jody Curran
Learning Advisor, Hobsonville Point Primary School
The Solution
Following research and a colleague's recommendation, Jody Curran (Learning Advisor, Hobsonville Point Primary School) selected the Warwick My Topic Book 2 Taku Pukapuka Kaupapa as a replacement. All existing exercise books in the learning common were swapped out for this more durable option.
What made a difference:
- Laminated wipe-clean covers: Protected books from everyday wear and tear.
- Reinforced four-staple binding: Prevented pages from coming loose through regular use.
- 64 pages of 100gsm paper: The exercise books offered a more robust feel.
- Alternating unruled and 9mm ruled pages: Supported writing, drawing, and mind-mapping as part of project based learning.
- Cover features: Included a school values activity, NZ Sign Language chart and a world map. These built-in resources were useful during learning tasks.
- Larger size (230 × 317 mm): Provided students with more space to write and present their work.
“The students enjoy writing on the Warwick exercise books. They like the wide lines, activity and knowledge sections at the back and, more importantly, their covers don’t tear off.”
Jody Curran
Learning Advisor, Hobsonville Point Primary School
The decision to switch to a Warwick exercise book made a visible difference to the learning experience.
Student confidence and engagement
- Students were more willing to write and present their work.
- The built-in resources became part of everyday learning.
- Parents and teachers gave positive feedback on the improvement in work quality.
Learning outcomes
- Handwriting improved across the group.
Practical benefits
- The exercise books remained in great condition throughout the term.
- Work was kept neat, safe, and easy to reference.
“The Warwick exercise books are amazing; they don't break apart, they have improved students’ handwriting, are easy to use, and the teachers love them.”
Jody Curran
Learning Advisor, Hobsonville Point Primary School