It's been a while...

It has been a while since I have updated this space...so much has been happening. This week at school we launch our very own radio station and officially open our new school garden area. An exciting week ahead and a wonderful way to end what has, in many ways, been a very challenging term. As a school we continue to focus on sustainability and grow our values of We C.A.R.E. Communicate ~ Aspire ~ Respect ~ Engage. Manaakitia Korerotia ~ Hokaka ~ Whakaute ~ Whakaware. To finish today's post a lovely piece from Sir Ken Robinson

21st Century Learning is here! IT classrooms of the future - Technology - NZ Herald News

IT classrooms of the future - Technology - NZ Herald News

New times ahead...

This year's Board of Trustees election has seen a brand new Board elected to govern Te Kauwhata Primary School; I look forward to welcoming our new members at a pre-meeting this coming week. These are exciting (and sometimes daunting) times for the new trustees but I am sure they will all enjoy their new challenges and gain much satisfaction and reward in their new roles as we continue to move the school forward as a quality learning environment. Congratulations to those elected and thank you to all who were unsuccessful - it was very reassuring to know there is a strong commitment within the school community to want to be part of the Board.

Garden makeover...

There are some very generous people out there and we have been most fortunate to benefit from the extreme generosity of David Lim of Auckland Commercial Structures. In return for a bit of 'elbow grease' we have been fortunate to have donated many items of furniture (my office also receiving an impressive makeover), timber and all the fencing we require to secure our new garden area. We look forward to inviting David down to our official opening later this year. It is also thanks to Craig from Container Movements for the loan of a container for temporary storage, and Rhonda and Stephen Irvine for the use of their truck and trailer and storage space. Last weekend, the second of our mini working bees at the Takanini site saw the removal of the fence and final clearance of the site. Many hands made light work and within a couple of hours the job was done! So now we are ready to start the redevelopment of our garden area at school and I know there are many keen learners just waiting patiently to be allowed back into the area to assist with the construction of our new planter boxes, potting mix area, pergola and more. It is great to have the whole school on board and so encouraging to witness the growing enthusiasm and dedication of the children as we strive to grow our sustainability. Thanks everyone who assisted at the working bee.

Apps, docs and more...

What a couple of weeks it has been! Preparing for our introduction of Google Docs is both exciting and daunting as we explore its endless possibilities and technical considerations. Thanks to Neil, staff, and two confident and competent learners from Ngatea Primary School for hosting Chris and I and sharing how they use Docs for both learning and admin. Then it was off to the GAfE (Google Apps for Education) Community Day at Buckland's Beach Intermediate for five of us on a rather wet Saturday, but a worthwhile day it was. It was an opportunity to hear and see how other schools use Docs, from principals to classroom teachers - no learning is ever wasted!

Action @ TKP today...

Early start for a great cause...

I am so taken by the generosity of many people out in the Waikato and Auckland regions who have got behind TKP to help us work towards our next big project. Well worth our early start...looking forward to my truckie trip today!

A 'ripper' lunchtime...

A spot of gardening...

Time to think....

All mankind is divided into three classes: those that are immovable, those that are movable, and those that move. Benjamin Franklin

A poem I recently heard...let's not come across that day

Back to it...

After enjoying a most relaxing first week of the holidays it is time to switch back into 'learning' mode and ensure the term ahead is as smooth as possible for everyone. Our 'call-back' day this Friday will see our 'maths' hats go back on as we continue to look critically at current practice - blending new learning with what we already do well! I look forward to our new concept of Whanau groups continuing to grow - the invaluable opportunities for students to empower students on our Whanau Fridays and the exciting Enviro-Schools projects for sustainability that are beginning to emerge. Another rewarding term ahead....for sure!

It makes for a better week!

This week I have been impressed at the number of children who have 'created' something and come to me so excited about sharing their efforts. These creations range from hand games, to cup games, to rakau routines, to artwork and to WOW moments when a new word can be spelt! As a principal this gives me great satisfaction - the pride on the children's faces and especially the excitement when I grab my phone and ask if I can record it! My greatest hope is that our children never lose such opportunities and always feel confident to give new things a go! So thank you to all those children who shared with me - you made my week a better one! Once again the end of a term has come around very quickly - my homework list for the holidays is set and so is time with my family. I look forward to spending time in Taupo and Tauranga and being entertained by my cheeky 18 month old grandson! I sincerely hope all my staff take time to enjoy time with their families and refresh for the next term ahead! Ka kite, Vicki

This year it has been interesting as teachers begin to explore the concept of 'Modern Learning Environments'. Recently opened schools look amazing - the spacious learning environments, the collaborative thinking the environment supports, the colour, the vast array of furniture. Gone are the traditional 'desks and chairs' - welcome to bar-height work stations, welcome to bean bags, welcome to learning pods and welcome to 'break out' spaces for those learners who prefer a quiet space. Welcome to a learning environment where children discover how they learn best and move themselves accordingly. Here at Te Kauwhata Primary we don't have the luxury of brand new purpose built modern learning environments but we do have the forward thinking and creativity of our students and teachers who are experimenting with new 'learning spaces' within their classrooms. So far we have a learning mai-mai, lots of bean bags, elevated stools and raised benches to work at, couches, sun-shelters as quiet learning zones ... to name a few ideas. Our school community has been very helpful, getting behind our quest and donating items - we are very grateful! These are exciting times that do require a shift in thinking from what we as school kids remember in our classrooms to the opportunities learners of today are exposed to. The following clips (posts below) demonstrate just how some of these modern learning environments are designed and what the children themselves have to say about them...in relation to their learning. As we move into our next 5 Year Property Agreement with the Ministry of Education it is very exciting to be thinking about all the possibilities we can consider with our existing buildings and spaces.

Modern Learning Environments: Hingaia Peninsula School | EDtalks

Modern Learning Environments: Hingaia Peninsula School | EDtalks

Modern Learning Environments: Stonefields School | EDtalks

Modern Learning Environments: Stonefields School | EDtalks

Bikewise

Preparing for the big event tomorrow!

Where has that first month back gone?

It is hard to believe we are into our second month back for 2013. The glorious weather continues however we all know we are in desperate need of some rain, and not just the few drops that fell overnight! The Chiefs continue their winning streak and so do we at TKP. Our inaugural Whanau picnic / meet the teacher evening was reasonably well supported - it was lovely to meet new faces and welcome back old. A big part of our first 6 weeks of the term has been around the 'Cool School' principles of Peer Mediation. We want all children to be able to use mediation to help solve small issues that arise from time to time. When these issues are beyond child-to-child mediation all staff will follow the same process to ensure there is consistency for all. This programme is designed by the Peace Foundation and more information will be filtered through newsletters and our website to assist you all in understanding what we are striving to achieve. This coming week is another big one with our Bikewise safety programme on Tuesday preceding our Triathlon on Wednesday. I look forward to seeing many of you here for our exciting event on Wednesday. For me the last few weeks have been all about ensuring our 2013 Charter documents were complete and submitted to the Ministry of Education as required. I believe our Charter is comprehensive and very clear as to the direction TKP is heading. As always we will be asking for further input from you as the year progresses. These documents will be available on our website very soon, please take the time to read through them. Keep up the good work supporting your child's education! Ka kite ano, Vicki

Off we go...2013!

Welcome to 2013...after a wonderful holiday period enjoying the beautiful weather and some of our amazing beaches I am refreshed and excited about the year ahead. A new year and new goals...one of which is to refresh my Blog more regularly with a wider variety of items of interest! The start to the year has been a very smooth one, long may it continue. It is great to see our new greenhouse erected as part of our EnviroSchools project - thank you to those Lion's members, Rhonda and Rob for their efforts. Catch you again soon, ka kite Vicki