Lockdown Reading

Monday 4th May

 Previously our cluster has focused on writing and with the students blogging frequently we have seen the rise in this data so that we are well above the national average. This year the focus of our Uru Mānuka cluster is 'Reading'. Based on the data it was important that students in our cluster really started to work on their reading, so that they could then work on other areas like comprehension.

I have tried to encourage my wānanga team to find a book that they are passionate about, a topic they have an interest in, as this will motivate them to continue to keep on reading. Its one of my favorite things to sit out in the sun shine and immerse myself into the story line of a book like I was there experiencing it for myself. We are asking students to write a book review on each of the books that they read. so I thought I would lead by example and put one of the ones that I have read during lockdown on here.

A Thousand Splendid Suns

Khaled Hosseini

Why you selected the novel?

This book is from the same Author of "The Kite Runner"  I really enjoyed that book and had heard that this one was indeed better. It had good reviews and I enjoy books that often have that real life element to it.

What did you think about it overall?

This story is told through the eyes of two young women who grow up during the time of unrest in the country of Afghanistan. They tell stories of starvation, brutality and decisions made from fear and true desperation. This is certainly not a light read, it has a real human side to it and you feel such different emotions for these two ladies as the story unfolds. The fact that even though the story is not based on true circumstances, you know that the events in the book were. As a female that has a fairly strong and independent view on life it makes me sad at how second rate females were thought of, it seems so old school, yet it was less than 20 years ago. 

What was your favourite part?

Its hard to identify a favourite part, because the best parts were probably the ones that were the hardest to read due to the sadness or cruelty. I loved seeing the growth of the female characters in this book. That in a time when the mindset round women were that, that they should be seen and not heard, these two women found strength within their friendship to band together and seek out the best life that they could live.

Who were the characters?

The story was told by two woman Mariam and Laila (twenty years her junior)

- Mariam was the illegitimate daughter of one of the wealthiest men of Herat. She and her mum had been banished to a house in the remote part of the city. At the age of 15 Mariam was married to Rasheed. In this relationship Mariam experienced heartbreak, sorrow and years of abuse. She was not able to give Rasheed the child he so badly desired and due to that their marriage was full of such hatred and poor treatment.

- Twenty years later Rasheed married his second wife 15year old Laila, who unlike Mariam was able to give the gift of children to Rasheed, particularly a boy. However, Laila and Rasheed's relationship was not without it's own issues around lies, deceit and the hard to read abuse. Laila's story was more about love and how the love of her life allowed her to survive through the darkest days.

- Rasheed saw him as the savior in the book - he allowed these two girls to come into his life and he was able to give them protection, food and shelter, with what he saw as very little in return from them. In reality was a cold hearted man, who perhaps got what he deserved in the end.

- Tariq; the lovable rough in this story, he would normally be the character that you feel sorry for due to his disability. But he makes the most of life and stands up for those he sees as being bullied. Throughout the story you see the relationship between Lalia and himself grow and develop into so much more that friendship.

Would you recommend this book and who do you think would enjoy this?

I would highly recommend this book, to anyone that has read the Kite Runner already then they will certainly want to read this. However, anyone that likes those books that tells of peoples real life struggles and who then rises above would enjoy this. The uniqueness of this book being told through female voice is also uplifting. While the underlying love story that intertwines itself through the despair and distraction offers something for everyone. 

Online Learning - teaching in the 21st century?!?

22/04/2020

For the past 5 years we have been putting in place for our students to be better self managers of their own learning and the last week has been the big test. Thankfully Hornby's sites are fairly well set up and run fairly smoothly. But this whole video conferencing and getting our students engagement online is a complete different kettle of fish.

I don't think i will ever take for granted the benefits of walking into the classroom and having the bodies there in front of me, we may not always capture them but at least they can be surround by the conversations and hear what the other students have to say.

Getting the students used to using Google Meets and actually talking to us has been the first obstacle and much amusement. Training them on the etiquette around the appropriate settings, how to use the mute button and the quick keys to turn your mic on and off. As well as the benefits of the chat function. It really is a different world, and one that many of us are not finding easy. Spending a day staring at yourself on the computer can get to you after a while, not to mention i think the headaches i am now getting due to so much digital time compared to normal.

Next week Jacinda has announced the all schools will open for Year 10s and below. It has raised a lot of questions and probably some anxiety for some. I myself am looking forward to being around people again even if it means keeping our distance still and limiting the number of people that i let into my bubble. I don't think we will have many kids back, but we shall see.

Concern is obviously there for our senior students, many are still struggling with engagement, whether its because of internet, lack of device or just lack of motivation, but the importance for some to gain their NCEA has now sunk in that this could be at risk or certainly a lot harder than they originally thought. But yet again i think it will take some ingenuity from the profession to ensure our kids get the best education we can offer them. I have recently signed up to this group on Facebook and have found it very interesting going through and reading some of the amazing things that other school have in place already.

Something that will come out of this pandemic will be that education in 2020 will certainly look and feel different to any other year that i have experienced in my 15 years, many try and link it back to the year of earthquakes where for months we were not teaching, however, i feel like its different again.

New Zealander of the Year....... Jacinda Ardern and Ashley Bloomfield

21/4/2020

It is just under 4 weeks since our country moved into lockdown and in that time the world outside has changed drastically and the simplistic human behaviors that we took for granted like going to the beach, socializing with friends or getting our groceries, have all been altered. It has become a part of my daily routine to sit and watch the 1pm update with Jacinda and Ashley Bloomfield. Watching the numbers decline in NZ, while sadly seeing massive devastation in other countries around the world, especially in the USA and the UK.

Before we left school a key topic that was being covered in Yr7-9 either in Wānanga or Huramanu classes, was LEADERSHIP! When you ask students about people they see as leaders they will often automatically name sports stars, musicians and actors as the go too. However, I wonder if during this time our younger population, have taken on board the leadership which has been demonstrated daily by both Ashley and Jacinda. I have often watched in amazement as they both deliver the facts with such empathy and sincerity. They have lead from the front, making the tough decisions, knowing it would put pressure on our economy, raise unemployment and put our low income families and our most at risk, in an even more volatile position that what they currently are in. Doing it all with one goal in mind, to make our country safe again and to stomp out Covid-19.

Sitting back and watching other countries from around the world look upon our Prime Minister with envy, while Trump keeps telling people that he is not a doctor, but that people should just take a cold and flu tablet or that the media are all about making up fake news. Jacinda conducts herself with such poise and grace, not being rattled by the multitude or ridiculous questions asked daily and often repetitively, by our supposedly most qualified media journalists. I am often finding myself yelling at the tv during the press conference because of the barge of questions they yell at her and the unkind nature in which they treat her. I often wonder if she goes off stage and shakes her head at the stupidity of some of these people.  Jacinda Ardern I admire you and am grateful you are the one in charge of getting us through the other side of these crazy times and I hope that our young children will murmur your name from now one when asked who do you know that is a good leader.

Lets Forget about March 2020

31/3/2020

It's funny I sit here and reflect on the term that has been while in Lockdown, writing my blog that I put down as a goal that i would update weekly. I think of my blog title 'New Beginnings" and would not have guessed that three months ago this is where we would be and how different the world currently is and how different it will be from here on in, 'New Beginnings" could never be so true.

Term One has been frantic, I think i have referred to myself as Dory from Finding Nemo numerous times and singing "just keep swimming, just keep swimming, to people when they ask me how i am going. The introduction of both Wānanga and Hurumanu has seen a high level of angst I think in the staff room at times. This does not mean that this is not right, it just means that yet again our staff are putting their all into this and make sure we are doing the best for our students. It is certainly one thing i will say about our staff is that they put a lot of time and effort into making sure we have things in place for our students, so that they get the best out of their education.

On a personal note i have really enjoyed the opportunity to be a part of Wānanga, it has allowed be to be involved in a part of the school that i would not normally have anything to do with except for the interactions that you may have while out on duty. An added bonus is getting to work with staff that i normally wouldn't have had much to do with had we remained silo structure. The team in Mōhua have been great and i am thoroughly enjoying working with them on a daily bases.

Getting back to the current situations NZ is currently in a 4 week Lockdown from our Govt to help prevent the spread of Covid 19 from spreading in our communities. It's been nearly a week since school was officially closed. Last week it was nice to be in at work and work along side (yet it be 2meters apart) to help come up with beneficial online learning that can be done by our students. it was really nice to see us banding together and just be around each other prior to going into this lockdown, especially as i live on my own  it just gave me that respite.

Since being in lockdown i have never seen my house so clean, it's amazing what you can achieve when you have know where to go and the weather is rubbish. I have done some baking, but again am conscious that i am the only one that can eat it. I have enjoyed seeing  the different things that people are willing to do to keep themselves amused. Les Mills session in the morning have been great as well as my exercise class being on line live through zoom have been great.

Zoom the greatest word since being in lockdown, i love this feature and have enjoyed connecting with staff, friends and family, it is a great tool and is certainly keeping me sane during this time. Am looking forward to the cheese club that is going ahead as planned on friday where everyone will be sharing the cheese they are having at the time.

Stay safe, stay at home and enjoy the time with loved ones

Year 7-9 Arrive on Site

JANUARY'S END SEES THE STUDENTS RETURN

2020 sees the introduction of our new wānanga class. Wānanga provides a structured time for our kaiako and rangatahi to build on relationships. To establish a positive culture within our kura, where students are willing to step outside their comfort zones, take risks in their learning and to flourish in areas that they are passionate about; while at the same time allowing staff to support our learners towards their chosen pathways.

We see Wānanga as :

• Relational - getting to know our learner 
• Helping akonga to navigate their way
• Learner focused
• Innovative
• Supportive
• Differentiated to meet individual students’ needs 
• Co-constructed
• Structured 
• Increasing student wellbeing

Thursday 30th saw the first day of meeting our new wānanga students. Nerves were high from all corners - staff, students and especially the parents. The Year 7's showed signs of being overwhelmed, new with that slightly big uniforms that they will all go into, their face that showed amazement, terror and nervousness all at the same time. They all sat so quietly taking everything in and happy to explore, meeting their huramanu teachers and seeing the different places where their learning will happen. At the end of the day I was humbled by a wee girl that approached me and handed me a apple and said "we don't give our teachers apples anymore, thank you for being kind". The action was heart warming and certainly made my day.

New Beginnings 2020

27th Jan 2020

NEW YEAR, NEW BEGINNING

 "there is nothing quiet as intoxicating as certainty"  

- What do i do to move us closer to the strategic goals and our move to creative excellence?
 Wānanga will be my focus for 2020 and my stepping stone to improving my students ability to generate creative excellence. Through wānanga students will have the opportunity to take risks, get given leadership opportunities and build relationships with both staff and students.

- Reflection from the year before?
marks that were gained considering the ups and downs I had last year I am pleasantly surprised to have gained my first Excellence in Home Ec externals along with Merits. I really want to maintain the momentum that I’ve started and work towards course endorsement, it’s there for the taking we just need to build on the culture of the students to make them want it just as much as I want it for them.

- Focus for the year
Based on the data over the past three years our students writing level for all gender and ethnicity are above the national average. While Maths and Reading are the focus for the this year and will be seen in Wānanga through the DEAR (drop everything and read) as well as incorporating Literacy into our lesson plans when looking at CARR, Wellbeing and Cyber safety.

Increase expectations of your students - those that are not yet gaining Achieves but are certainly capable of, still need that guidance and support to get them there. While maintaining the standard for our Excellent students.

Cultural Responsiveness
 reflect on what changes i would like to make?
I see Wānanga as a good starting point to introduce the ideals around cultural responsiveness, especially the philosophy around contentedness and getting to know the people round you.

Hospo Pd Cluster at Burnside High school

29th November

Today I got the opportunity to attend the Hospitality Cluster Meeting held at Burnside High School. I have attached below the Agenda for the day

The morning session consisted of going through requirements for moderation and Consent to Assess. It was interesting to see the direction that Service IQ are heading and the introduction of E-Learning into their product options. Considering the direction that most schools are going it is good to see this option is becoming more accessible. However i feel there are still a number of issues that need to be looked at like access to students work.

The ability to talk to other staff especially as I am going through the rebuild was of huge benefit as it allowed me to get the views of other from around the south island and made me feel more confident about the decisions that i have made and the things that i am fighting for in my department.

In the afternoon we had a chef come in and demonstrate the way in which you can combine three units eg Grilling, Frying and Salad or boiling while using the observation sheet. I still find the observation sheet tricky to use and a bit cumbersome, especially during a practical lesson with over 24 students.