Jump Jam for all!

Friday morning after assembly is Jump Jam time - here is a brief clip of the school being lead by the Jump Jam team last Friday. The team is practicing hard to be ready to enter the annual schools' jump jam competition.

Beginner's i-movie - apologies for lack of editing! Clip best watched as this size, bit blurry when whole screen!

If you would like to know more about Jump Jam click on this link:

http://www.kidzaerobix.com/jumpjam.html

Peer mediators, making a difference...

During each break you will find two peer mediators circulating around the playground with clipboards and pens at hand, just in case! They stand out from the other children in their bright orange fluro vests, easily seen if an incident requires their intervention. I asked their co-ordinator, Mr Dresse, if the team of mediators could record what their responsibilities are and how they feel about the job they do.
Responsibilities include:

• sorting out minor playground problems (mediating)
• running weekly assemblies
• selecting children for peer mediator awards and presenting these at assembly
• helping all children have an enjoyable day at school
• meet each week and discuss how everything is going and any problems we have
• always being a good role model!

Using Picasa the photos of our 19 peer mediators have been superimposed one over another to create this image.

Some responses from our mediators when asked what is like having this responsibility...

• I enjoy sorting problems and making our school a better place,
• I'm always waiting each week, really excited, to share my ideas and thoughts with the rest of the group,
• Sorting out problems as a peer mediator makes me feel good,
• I like peer mediation because I can help people and make them happy,
• I like peer mediation because I can help solve a problem and help make friendships,
• I like giving out the peer mediation awards at assembly,
• I like to solve problems for all children,
• I like peer mediation because it is fun and good for the school,
• I like peer mediation because we get to run assembly and sort out problems,
• I like peer mediation because it helps TKP improve more,
• I like peer mediation because I think I'm making a change in the school's behaviour,
• I enjoy being able to go into the junior area,
• I like helping people,
• It makes me feel good inside,
• I like people coming up to me and then helping them solve their problems,
• I love helping other people with their friendships.
• We are always ready to give a helping hand!

And what a fantastic job our peer mediators do! Congratulations team, keep up this great work!





The week ahead

It is hard to believe we are already over half way through the term! Here at school we are reviewing current practices and programmes. As a staff we are involved in many professional conversations about 'learning' and the effectiveness of the teaching and learning happening at TKP. During these discussions we are also looking to the future and considering what the next three years might look like here at school. Exciting stuff - it is amazing what a creative set of minds can come up with!

We have also been experimenting with these two websites:
http://www.wordle.net/ and http://www.ietherpad.com/. Both these sites are free Web 2.0 tools for collaborative writing and sharing of ideas.

Have a great week, I hope the weather is fine for the field days!

Vicki

Active and Healthy Play!

It is great to see so many children involved in some form of physical activity during their break times. The impact of Project Energize, thanks to Jen our co-coordinator, is very evident.

This week the children took part in 'taster' sessions for basketball, thanks to Phil from Kiwisport!

Out and about...

Traveling on the school buses is a great way to get to learn more about the local area and community. I am quite amazed at how far some of the children travel each day and can certainly appreciate the morning routines at home that allow for these early starts to run so smoothly.
The introduction of our enrolment scheme this term has provided lots of 'light' reading for me of late and over the next few weeks I will be sharing with everyone just how it will work and how important it is to note down 'key dates' in the process to ensure applications are received on time. Keep a close watch in the newsletters and on our website!
I hope you are enjoying the sunshine of today!
Vicki