Sunday 24 March 2013
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.
Tuesday 5 March 2013
Sunday 3 March 2013
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
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