Happy Holidays

It's been a while since my last post. Mainly due to busy times with my son's broken arms, yes, both arms are broken, and travelling down South. I'm pleased to say that bradley is handling his casts very well and is able to do most things. I'm enjoying time with the family down in Invercargill, spending most of our time at my sister's place. I have been doing some reading, thinking and planning for next year and tonight I came across this, via a Facebook friend in LA. It's an article that is well worth a read. http://mindshift.kqed.org/2011/12/how-do-we-prepare-our-children-for-whats-next-2/ If you read it I would be interested in what you think and would appreciate you commenting on it here if you have the time.

School's out

All finished at Sewlyn House and now I can turn my full attention to Governors Bay. Got a few meetings organised before Christmas to get better prepared before getting into it early next year. Started working on turning our spare room into an office today but it was cut short by a trip to the After Hours Doctor when my son, Bradley, fell (jumped) off his top bunk. His left arm is in plaster and we have to go back tomorrow morning to get it checked.

Last Day

Had my last day with my class today. Prize-giving went very well and there were a number of tears from the Year 8s as everyone said goodbye afterwards. Still in at Selwyn House finishing up for the next three days, then it's full focus on 2012. I'm looking forward to really getting in to it.

Meetings

I had a meeting with Warren tonight and he was able to answer a number of questions I had, so all looking good.  Then had our last board meeting for the year which also went very well.  Prize-giving at Selwyn House  tomorrow, then staff only days to round out the week.  Then I can really turn my focus to next year, an exciting time.

Christmas Gift

My class gave me an ipad 2 as a gift today! How good is that? They gave me an ipad box with a cardboard mockup of an iPad with money stuck to the bottom of the box to go and buy myself a real one. That's what I'll be doing tomorrow.  Looking forward to taking it in to school on Monday and to the board meeting on Monday night.

Meeting re pre-school aged children

It was a worthwhile meeting last night. A good opportunity to discuss the needs of parents of pre-school aged children.  Neave from 'At Home Childcare' was there and had a lot to offer in the way of ideas and options.  She is a good person to contact if you are wanting to get together with others who have similar aged children or if you have ideas for activities.  You can contact her at neave.rw@paradise.net.nz, or 3299-970

Exciting times

Jaden Smith, star of The Karate Kid, video chatted with us again today. He wanted to catch up with the class and make sure he was following everyone on Twitter. It was a real treat for everyone that he had taken the time.  One girl has a special fondness for Justin Beiber, so Jaden rang Justin on his cell phone while we were chatting and got him to say hi to this girl.  Needless to say there was a lot of screaming and a few tears.


I'm away to a meeting at Governors Bay soon, so I'm looking forward to that and having the chance to meet more people in the community.  I'll post about the meeting later tonight or tomorrow night after our Carol Service.

Professional Development

Last week I attended a session for Principals and Boards about planning for better student performance.  This was very worthwhile and has given me a lot to work with in that area.  Another benefit was the fact that it was held at Lyttelton Main School so I was able to meet the acting Principal there and begin to form the first of many relationships with other schoosl in the bay area which will be all important.

New Principal

Hi and welcome to my blog.

I have recently become the new Principal for Governors Bay School and I start in 2012. I want to use a blog to communicate to the parents of the school and the general community.

On here I intend to post information about my journey over the next month and a half before starting as the Principal and then hope to continue through the year with posting information about my weekly activities, ideas and visions for the school.


Mixed with this I will also post more general information over the next month in the hope that you will get to learn something about me.