Homework

This year we have implemented a new homework system. This is based around Inquiry Learning using the framework similar to what we are learning in class. We hope that this will encourage the students to take responsibility for their own learning and want to learn for the pleasure rather than the pressure. The children were given this for the first time on Monday morning using a standard school wide format. They had until Friday to submit their context, plan, questions, timeframe and resources. Through negotiation with their teacher, each child can choose a context of interest to them. Junior students have been guided to help them to choose a question. Expectations of delivery are different for each level. So far this system has produced enthusiam and some great questions on a variety of topics.

Connections to the Sea

This term we are looking at connections and our Inquiry is based on "Secrets of the Sea Crits". The Junior School have a motivational visit planned to the Island Bay Marine Education Centre on the 6th March and the Senior School are going on the 13th March. We have also timetabled time into these days to visit the Giant Squid at Te Papa. Most classes are preparing for this in advance and looking at questions students have about this overarching theme. No doubt all cameras within the school will have batteries charged in readiness to record the students learning and experiences.

Multiple Intelligences and deBonos 6 hats

Schoolwide we are focussing on the teaching and learning using the yellow and black hats only this term. Years 5-8 are also investigating multiple intelligences. One staff member came across a website where you can fill in a questionaire to determine your approximate strengths in the multiple intelligence framework. They undertook to share this with their team members. All students in Years 5-8 have participated in this online questionaire. Students have been able to print out their wheel of strengths and are currently investigating these to better understand their personal learning styles.

2009

Well, 2009 has started well this year. The whole staff attended the Spectrum Education Teachers Matter Conference in Rotorua the last week of January. This got more staff onboard and was a great sharing time. We all went to the same breakouts and lots of new and collaborative learning took place. All staff came back excited, motivated and energetic for the start of the school year. All staff have implemented some part of their learning from Teachers Matter Conference and look forward to continuing to broaden their thinking with new ideas.