The Road Crossing Song

This morning I walked up with two senior girls to put in the order for the lunches. On the way they taught me the 'Road Crossing Song' and we sang it each time before we crossed the road.  It's nice to know that safety is paramount in their minds.

Buddy reading was a joy to watch today, it is wonderful to see those relationships being made across the school and everyone having the opportunity to share a story with someone else.

Teaching is a diverse occupation as was evidenced today by the arrival of many a frozen order in Piwakawaka. Fortunately, Karen's programme is well established and the students continued to work diligently on their reading tasks.  As I moved round talking to individuals and small groups they were able to talk intelligently about what they were doing and why they were doing it.  This is a credit to Karen and  the effective, engaging and purposeful programme she runs.











If you're shopping in the weekend, don't forget to buy Sunkist oranges and bring the stickers off them in to school for the competition.  Sarah has done a great job getting on to this and we really need to keep those stickers rolling in. We want those iPads!

See you on Monday at the traffic presentation and meet the teacher night, it's all go.

Ripstik

This morning I had my first go on a ripstik. I wouldn't say it was a huge success, but it was interesting and it made me really appreciate the basketball pole. I think it will be some time before I reach the prowess of the children, who make it look so easy.

In assembly today we were treated to presentations by the classes and it was encouraging to see everyone get up and present, from the full of confidence Tui class right through to Kereru, who ran the assembly.

I received an email from What Now today asking if there were any teachers interested in taking on the Teachinator. Never heard of the Teachinator? You can check him out here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4cqkBLhtAE&feature=related
Can you guess the response of the staff when asked if anyone was keen?

The newsletter is out today, so look for it in your inbox, download it off the website, or call in to the office and pick up a copy.

Peter Jackson

In technology the year 6s are developing their movie making skills and in short time have produced some work to rival the skills of Peter himself.  They are working towards making news bulletins for the school on a regular basis. This afternoon they showed their work to the Yr 7s & 8s who were impressed, and as everyone knows it takes a lot to impress that age group.

The seniors have started working on their leadership roles and are looking at what they can offer the positions they have taken. Student leaders are an important part of any school and I am looking forward to watching them develop over the course of the year.

Due to an important community meeting there has been a small change in Monday nights proceedings.

At 6pm there will be an address in the library from Mark Miller, Senior Traffic Officer CCC re the upcoming planned traffic management changes around the school.  This will be your opportunity to listen to the current proposal and ask any questions you may have.

Moira and Sarah will talk to their parents in their classrooms at 6:30pm 

Val and Karen will talk to their parents in their classrooms at 7:00pm.

I will then give a brief talk in the library at 7:30 and this will be an opportunity for you to ask me any questions you have.

Exciting

As always, it is good to get into the classrooms and be a part of what is happening. In Koromako today I saw a range of groups working on their spelling.  Then some early finishers showed me the glogs they were constructing. Sarah has created a relaxed, industrious atmosphere in the class and everyone was going about their work in a purposeful manner. It's a friendly environment that is conducive to learning and discovery. 

Thanks to the librarians the library has become a hive of activity during the lunch hours, particularly on wet days such as today. It is always encouraging to see the students displaying such leadership and initiative.

No Class

I haven't had any teaching today as I don't teach on a Monday. It is helpful in increasing my productivity but I did miss the class so I'm looking forward to tomorrow. I did call in this afternoon and look at some of the portrait work that was happening, very impressive.

I had a visit from Gavin Price this morning who is an expert in many areas of principalship so that was very worthwhile.

After School Care started with Bridget today and the children were involved in a range of activities from drawing to making pancakes.  Places are available for this service and if you wish to use it please contact the school.  Now that this is in place there is an expectation that children will be collected from the playground by 3:30pm please.  Anyone not with a parent or caregiver at that time will be taken to the library for the after school care programme.  This ensures everyone is accounted for and safe.

We've got our first board meeting tonight and before that I'll have to clear my desk to make room for all of the flowers, chocolates etc. that I'll be receiving tomorrow.

Hats and T-shirts

For some reason Thursday's post was cut short and then I was unable to edit it at home on my iPad.  I was to have talked about hats so I will do so now.  It is important that everyone has a hat at school to wear during interval and lunchtime or whenever outside with their class. I realise the weather has not been stunning of late but it is a requirement for hats to be at school every day for terms one and four please.

In Tui class this morning everyone was reading a T-Shirt story and then working with rhyming words.  Unfortunately I didn't have the time to make my own t-shirt but the students' creations were very good.  It is always interesting to watch children at this level as they learn words, learn how to say and write them, how to use them.  It is a real time of discovery and wonder and the Tui class are fortunate to have someone as talented and knowledgeable as Mrs McNulty to guide them.  These children truly are our future leaders which means our future is in good hands.

Thursday already

Another great day at the office. Met with Grant Stedman, the principal of Opawa School, and spoke to Eddie Norgate, the principal of Diamond Harbour.  It's great making these connections and they will be invaluable for support and the sharing of ideas.

We're making the most of using the pool and every time we go over the sun seems to come out really hot. So I may spend the day over there tomorrow.

Tech today

I went on the bus to the Phillipstown Technology Centre with the Yr 7 & 8s this morning. I got the grand tour there and it was very interesting.  They run a great programme and I even got to have a quesadilla for morning tea.

This afternoon I developed with the class an idea to rival Edward de Bono's 6 thinking hats, although to be fair, I don't think the class were quite as impressed with it as I was. I did, however, inform them that if I wasn't here tomorrow they should watch the news because I would probably be on it, famous with my new thinking and planning template. Needless to say, none of them are expecting to have to watch the news.

Another short week

I hope you all had a enjoyable long weekend. I went to my brother-in-laws wedding in Wanaka and had a great time. The weather there was amazing although I hear it wasn't the same here. It was good enough today for a swim though so we have started to look at who might like to be involved in a squad to try out for zones.

I am pleased to say that I scored 100% in the spelling test I sat with year 4 and 5 today and I look forward to working with other classes over the coming days and weeks.

In our staff meeting we sorted the date for 'Meet the Teacher' night. It is now Monday Feb 20th. I will give an address in the library at 6pm Moira and Sarah will talk to their parents at 6:30pm Val and Karen will talk to their parents at 7:00pm
If anyone needs to get to 2 classes and has a clash because they are on at the same time, please feel free to visit the teacher after their session has finished to either talk with them then or to arrange a trime to meet.

Tomorrow I am going with the Yr 7&8 students to technology at Phillipstown, so I am looking forward to that. These students need to be at school at 8:40 to ensure they are on time for the bus.

And, just like that, the week is over.

And what a week it has been, lovely parents, supportive staff, friendly pupils, great environment, who could ask fo anything more. It's hard to believe so much has happened in such a short space of time.

Thank you to the parents who have approached me with the top idea of emailing the newsletter, I'll work with Rebecca on that one on Tuesday to see if we can put it in place for the next newsletter.  Thank you also for all of the positive feedback, it has been very affirming.

Tomorrow I fly to Queenstown for a wedding in Wanaka so it will be nice to get down there for a short break. I hope everyone enjoys their long weekend and we'll see you back here bright and refreshed on Tuesday.