1-1 Devices, 12 month Success Measure Report

At our last meeting the BOT reviewed the 1:1 device 12 month success measures report.  This covered a wide variety of measures and included feedback from parents, students and teachers.  It also compared 2015 mid year data with 2014 mid year data.  While we are disappointed in the less than expected rise in student achievement data, we acknowledge that mid year results do not provide the full picture and, because of the nature of assessments used at this time of the year, do not always provide a direct ‘apples with apples’ comparison.  We look forward to being able to analyse National Standards shifts in progress at the end of this year to give us a true indication of the impact of this initiative to date.  

The BoT and teaching staff remain committed to the use of 1:1 devices as an educational tool within the school and will continue to monitor progress on a regular basis to ensure student achievement meets expected targets.  We are pleased with the progress of the initiative in other areas, and appreciate the honest feedback of those who have contributed.  There are a number of celebrations and next steps for us identified in the report.  You can find the full copy of the report here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B882-mny9_GLMTBaOVMyU25SMkE/view 

Modern Learning Research

Last night our Year 7&8 learners and teachers hosted an evening for parents who are interested in finding out more about how learning operates in the Totara Hub.  I was very proud of the preparation and confidence that our young leaders demonstrated as they talked enthusiastically about their learning.

We had a couple of readings available for parents to take away to explain the theory behind many of our recent changes in both physical environments and teaching and learning practices (teachers call the science of teaching and learning "pedagogy").  I thought some of you who weren't able to make the evening might be interested in learning more about why we are teaching the way we do now.

Both are relatively short, easy to read summaries of current research and thinking that informs what we do here at Maungaraki School… ENJOY!

OECD report on The Nature of Modern Learning

CORE Education White Paper - Modern Learning Environments

Nga Kakano Puawai

Last night we held our first Nga Kakano Puawai hui for the year.  Literally translated "Nga Kakano Puawai" means, "The Blossoming Seed."  This group is open to any family of any nationality within the school community who is interested in supporting us to continue 'growing' things Maori throughout the school.

At the end of last year, the members of Nga Kakano Puawai helped us to plan a day for staff and interested community members at Waiwhetu Marae.  We all had a wonderful day learning about the history of the marae, unpacking the intent of the Treaty of Waitangi from a school perspective and planning our Enviroschools work for the year.

As part of our mahi looking at the Treaty principles, we explored the intent of the "3Ps"

Partnership

The New Zealand Curriculum envisions young people who will work to create an Aotearoa New Zealand in which Māori and Pākehā recognise each other as full Treaty partners, and in which all cultures are valued for the contributions they bring. 

Protection 

The principle of protection is about actively protecting Māori knowledge, interests, values, and other taonga. Identity, language, and culture are important expressions of what it means to be a culturally located learner.  

Participation

Participation is about equality of opportunity and outcomes.  Students need to learn how to participate and contribute as active citizens through opportunities to explore and appreciate the rich and diverse cultures, languages, and heritages that shape their identities as New Zealanders.

We shared our thinking from the day at Waiwhetu Marae with those at Nga Kakano Puawai last night, and they added to our ideas with a view to consolidating our ideas about what the Treaty Principles  might look like at class, School and wider community/whanau levels.  Here is what we have come up with:

Treaty Principle 1 - Participation

At the class level:

·       Equal opportunities to participate, share, contribute – provide different context/settings for this

·       No-one gets missed out

·       Being listened to

·       Speaking – Listening – CONNECTIONS

·       Whanaungatanga

·       sharing our Maori learning on classroom blogs

At the school wide level:

·       Kapa haka – all included

·       Noho marae

·       In-service days (like staff only day at the beginning of 2015)

·       Whanaungatanga

·       celebrating/taking pride in all things Maori – learning new waiata etc

At the wider community / Whānau level:

·       Hui – two-way

·       Tamariki

·       Communication

·       In-service days (like today)

·       Whanaungatanga

Treaty Principle 2 - Partnership

At the class level:

·       Two-way

·       Co-established tikanga

·       Tuakana-teina

·       Ako

·       Peer co-construction

·       Learning together

·       use Nga Kakano Puawai’s connections to bring people into the school as guest speakers etc

At the school wide level:

·       Consistent across whole school

·       Feedback / Feedforward

·       Staff sharing their knowledge

·       Suggestion – Staff tuakana-teina

At the wider community / Whānau level:

·       Talking/communication

·       Relationship-building

·       Mutual respect

·       Consultation

·       Nga Kakano puawai

·       Feedabck / Feedforward

Treaty Principle 3 - Protection (Aroha)

At the class level:

·       Behaviour rules

·       Policies/procedures – awareness

·       Teaching Te Reo / Kapahaka

·       Tikanga

·       Caring

·       Know our kids – positive relationships

·       Whanaungatanga

·       Teachers feel safe to be learners in all things Maori

At the school wide level:

·       Shared kawa

·       Know where our families come from – their whakapapa

·       Start Hui with mihi

·       Open-door policy

·       Whanaungatanga

At the wider community / Whānau level:

·       Communication

·       Valuing culture/input

·       Whanaungatanga

Production

We had amazing night for the first public performance of our show… Here's just a snapshot of what it looked like.  I am so proud of our children, the staff and all of our wonderfully supportive families who have put together such an awesome performance.

2015 Information Evening for Future Year 7 & 8 Learners and their Families

Last night we hosted a very successful information evening for the parents of learners moving into Year 7 & 8 in 2015.  With the 1-1 device initiative and the move to learning environments that encourage and motivate student agency through self management, the nature of learning at these levels will look slightly different in 2015.

I was very proud of our past and current students who spoke last night not only about how well Maungaraki School has prepared them for High School, but also how they are benefiting from their time in Year 7 & 8 this year.

This presentation shows you a little of the detail that was shared last night, however the real gems were in the words of the learners themselves.

Please do not hesitate to pop in a visit myself or Jackie Sutherland if you would like more information about how our Year 7 & 8 programmes operate.

Whānau Hui - Survey

Kia Ora Tatou,

As you  can see from the post below, we are thrilled with the input we have had during last week's Whānau hui… we know that some of you will have left the hui and come up with new ideas, and some of you may not have been able to attend the hui, but have some ideas you would like us to consider.  You do not have to be Māori to contribute to the survey we value everybody's input about Tikanga and Te Reo Māori at Maungaraki school!

Whānau Hui

Last week we held our first Whānau Hui for the year.  We were thrilled to have so many parents there representing many cultural backgrounds.  We have a very diverse cultural mix that makes up our school and acknowledge that the one thing we all have in common as New Zealanders is the cultural heritage of the country in which we live.  I was very proud to see children of all nationalities perform with enthusiasm in our Kapahaka group on the night.  We also shared some of the things that we are doing / have been doing as a school to celebrate our national heritage and to acknowledge the unique place of Tangata Whenua in New Zealand society.

During our hui we asked the parents and the students present a few key questions to help guide and direct us in terms of actions we can take to continue along this path.  The information has been summarised in this google doc:

Whānau Hui - Summary Responses - 18 August 2014

NB: An online survey will be posted for families to contribute to and add to the discussion sometime in the next couple of days.

Here's a quick clip of our Kapa Haka treasures performing a short medley to kick off our hui...

Unfortunately our kapa haka tutor is no longer able to support us for the remainder of the year, so we once again find ourselves on the lookout for someone who can help with this role.  If you know of anyone with a passion for kapa haka and things Māori, who is prepared to give us an hour a week, we would love to hear from you.