Principal's Update

You will all be aware of the 8.8 earthquake in Russia this week, and the related tsunami warning for coastal NZ.

Listening to the tsunami warning, I could not help but liken it to the changes in education at the moment. There is a tsunami of change washing over us as educators, your tamariki and you as whanau, with the changes in the curriculum. As yet we are still unsure of how the Ministry of Education wants progress to be reported, and that is why the latest report is an ‘interim’ format. Like much of what is happening in education there are still smaller ‘aftershocks’ from the Ministry of Education that will outline this detail in the future.

We have loved seeing you at our 3-way conferences this week. It has been uplifting for
teachers to be able to celebrate the many positive aspects of your child’s learning, and their whole being as we see them at school. It is also a very affirming time for your child, as they get to share the great learning they are doing and reflect on “where to next’ in goal setting for the rest of the year.

Although I am here only briefly, I can see how hard teachers are working to come to terms with the new curriculum. Many years ago during one change period, we had years to assimilate new curriculum documents and to let our whanau know about the changes bit by bit. Unfortunately the Ministry of Education is moving as fast as a tsunami in expecting curriculum change to be made. The reports have new terms in them, and your child’s ‘achievement’ within the report may look different from previous times. This does not mean that they know less than previously. Tamariki are always on a learning journey.

The term ‘needing support’ means that they need further support from their teacher before independent mastery is achieved. This support comes from their teacher, and will often be delivered in a group workshop situation, although it could be in a one-to-one mini session, a quick ‘touch base’ before school, or in a whole class session.

I have enjoyed reading the new literacy curriculum, and seeing the progression across the year levels within it. It is specific and will be a great tool to guide teaching, and impact on your child’s achievement. There is a lot to learn, but, as you know, children have an enormous capacity to learn. The new curriculum will better prepare them for life beyond school, as nothing is left to chance, and maths and literacy are very specific in the requirements at each year of learning.
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If you are wanting to know more about the curriculum at your child's level, please make an appointment with his/her teacher and they will be very happy to show you this, and to let you know how you can assist with their learning at home.
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And lastly, thank you so much for supporting your child’s progress by coming to the conferences, and for your chat and feedback about this fabulous school with Board members.

Kay Stevens
Acting Principal