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.