Winter Wonderland Writing

As I walked out of the administration block today I caught sight of one of our students heading to class. When I greeted her, asking her how she was, she answered with the biggest smile on her face, "I'm great". Further conversation revealed that she was great because she was so excited about the writing that she was doing about winter and that she had gone home and written a piece, so of course I asked if she could share it with me. 

Using many of the features that good writers use, the writing that Ona shared was such a beautiful piece. Beautiful, in that she described winter in such a way that a season, that could sometimes be depressing and heavy, could also be a season of such beauty. 

The quality of her writing brought about an emotional response in her reader, supported by the fact that she read it with expression, pride and an obvious sense of accomplishment.

Natasha writes about a Winter Wonderland. She uses many of the features that great writers use to describe what we see and feel during winter. She has told a story and I enjoyed listening as I'm sure you will too.

EWCS Technology Challenge

Tomorrow we have a 36 students travelling to Horsham Downs School to participate in the EWCS Technology Challenge. On Monday we practiced a 'known' challenge that will be the first challenge on the day. Our students put all their 6 C's, in particular the ability to contribute and think critically and creatively, on display. A sense of leadership was shown by students who then went home and worked on their knowledge of how to turn wind into rotational power. 

Heart of the School

Mud, glorious mud... two weeks of it. As soon as the first sod was turned the clouds wept turning our whole grounds to muck.  But not today, the sun is shining, blue skies prevail, and surrounded by birdsong I am getting excited by the development of the Heart of our School. 

I have been part of the Puketaha School community for nearly 17 years and have spent many of those years wishing for a front entrance that leads directly into our space. I know many of you will have experienced the confusion when you first arrived in our Puketaha Paradise of trying to find the office? Well, not for much longer. In four weeks time not only will we have a front entrance that is easy to find, it will lead us into our thoughtfully designed Heart. The Heart where our community can meet and our children can enjoy and learn within. A place that connects our Modern Learning Spaces and celebrates our 21 Century rural environment.

I look forward to seeing whanau catching up with each other when they drop off and pick up their children for school as well as celebrating the performances in the outdoor theatre, imaginary games on the boardwalk, vegetables being grown in the raised planters and the developing scientific thinking in the sandpit.

Here's hoping for more sunshine and cloudless days ahead. 

Our Epro8 Challenge Experience

Last Thursday Puketaha School entered four teams into a new event to run in Hamilton, called the Epro8 Challenge. The Epro8 Challenge is an engineering and problem-solving race made up of a series of challenges that teams work together to meet using a set of specifically designed equipment. 

Our teams made the most of this opportunity to showcase their collaboration skills and their creative and critical thinking.

Our Year 7 & 8 team came fourth in their competition meaning that they can go on to the semi-finals next week at Maeroa Intermediate. We wish them all the best and will keep you updated.

For more photos check out our twitter and or flickr

It Comes From Within

Devon and I learning te rakau at Tikanga today.

"...You can learn the kupu (words) and know the actions, but the real power comes from within..." 

These were the words spoken by Inia Maxwell, the kapa haka leader and composer who wrote the haka performed by the All Blacks before each game. Today we found out more about the inspiration and message behind the haka written especially for Ritchie McCaw and his team. We are going to write our own haka with the support of Whaea Rose and hope to perform it to you later this year.

On reflection, I connect this sense of passion seen when people perfom the haka with teaching and learning. Powerful teaching comes from within. We can learn the theory and know our children's needs but it's the desire to make a real difference for our children that makes us powerful. I am so lucky to work with a group of dedicated professionals who everyday want to make a difference for the students they teach.

Discovery Time

This week the students in Kakano 2 are discovering the wonders of space. I captured them reading independently, a range of texts, with the idea of finding interesting facts and writing these onto 'fact cards' to put up on the wall. They were also making constellations and telescopes. There were also children writing stories about space, taking part in their guided reading group with a teacher as well as a number of other learning experiences about space. 

There was so much to celebrate about the learning that was on display today but one thing that I enjoyed observing was the confidence of the students who were reading quite challenging texts and the reading strategies that they could apply when challenged with difficult vocabulary. 

Kakano 2 have been scientists this week investigating kitchen chemicals that fizz and foam. They are getting very clever at making observations of the changes that happen when you combine different kinds of substances. Check out more photos at www.puketaha.school.nz.

First Ever Puketaha Basketball Team

We have a basketball team for the first time at Puketaha School instigated by a parent at our school who offered to be the coach. The team play at the YMCA on Tuesday nights and even though they have only played two games to date, the consensus is that the students love it. We are looking forward to our basketball hoops with backboards arriving so we can practice our shooting, especially our 3 pointers!!

Puketaha Basketball Team

Where would we be without our parent helpers? The Puketaha basketball team are getting ready for next term!! 

Student Led Conferences - Children In The Drivers Seat

Student Led Conferences are a special time in our calendar when our children get to talk about what they are learning and how they learn with their parents and caregivers. 

When children lead a conference about their learning they see it as something that they are very much a part of and can take responsibility for. They are in the driving seat. 

Parents, caregivers and teachers learn a lot from observing and being part of these conversations. If children can talk about what they are learning and why this shows how engaged they are in the learning process and how aware they are of themselves as learners. 

I was lucky enough to attend one of these conferences with my son last night. I was very proud of the way that he could talk (for nearly 45 minutes) about his learning, and the insight I gained into his knowledge of himself as a learner. 

I am very grateful for the enormous energy that his teachers, throughout his time at Puketaha School, have put into him and his learning. Last night has given me a quiet confidence that the skills he demonstrated as being a learner has set him up for success and happiness in this complicated world that we live in. 

Sharing Success

It's always exciting to hear a knock at the door from children who want to share their success with Mr Booth. Today we listened to Nick share his story about his cat. There were some great discussions about cats and the things they get up to. Knowing that their stories are important and interesting for others to read and or hear creates the motivation for our young writers to want to keep sharing what they observe and what matters to them. 

Camp Taupo

We travelled down to Camp Taupo for the day yesterday to spend time with our Year Five and Six students. They were participating in a range of activities; the lake clean up, Kayaking, Swimming at the AC baths, Adventure World and Puzzle World. I joined the group who were given the responsibility of cleaning up 4 Mile Bay.

What a magic afternoon of wandering the shores of Lake Taupo in search of rubbish while at the same time skimming stones, wading in the shallows, cheering on school children who were participating in their triathlon, discussing the volcanic history of the area and understanding the science of pumice.

Returning to camp there were a range of activities the children spent their time doing. A favourite was the thermal pool. Although it was relatively small we managed to fit quite a few children into it. There was also some serious games of football and cricket going on. 

Dinner was delicious lasagne, made lovingly by parents and sent along to camp, so all we had to do was re-heat it. I have to share the dessert that came next! Deliciousness x Ten!!

Camp is such a great fun! 

Waikato/BOP Triathlon Champs!

Congratulations to Seana and Ashleigh for your outstanding achievement at the Waikato BOP Triathlon Champs at Karapiro. Seana came in second in her age group! 

Super Teachers at School Swimming Sports 2016

Ropu Puawai Super Teachers

I will probably get in a bit of trouble from my team for posting this photo of the day but I love it. It celebrates something that we value here at Puketaha School, to have fun. 

Our School Swimming Sports was a huge success. It was super well organised by our new leaders of sport - thank you Chloe and Deb, and our children took part in as many races as they could, they swam hard and were competitive - even though our Year 7 & 8 students had got back from camp the day before (we breed em tough out here in the country). 

Children who were confident swimmers got the chance to shine in the Fairfield College pool as well as those who were less confident participated in everything that they could. The next chance for our swimmers to showcase their skills will be the East Waikato Country School Swimming Sports on Tuesday 5th April. 

Eeling - 'Nature Is Cool'

I think one of the highlights from camp might just be the eeling? I really enjoyed hanging out down by the stream with a small group of boys, and a few girls, as they 'played' around coming up with strategies on how they were going to catch themselves a real live eel. 

When I first arrived at the stream the group of children checked the trap that they had set the night before, but to their disappointment they hadn't caught anything - or so they thought. I was pretty excited to see a little fat Koura snapping around in there. I hadn't seen one of them since visiting my brothers on Scout camp, years ago!!!! Quite a good indication of the water quality in this stream. But it wasn't an eel and this was the goal. So then the discussions began. There were a few 'experienced' eelers in the group who seemed to know what they were talking about and the others nodded in agreement at their plans. The trap was set near the murky depths where they knew the eels were hiding, and the waiting began as the group went off to complete the days activities. 

I didn't get to go back and check the trap again but I hear from a reliable source that one eel was caught (and returned) by the team and that one of the boys was keen to take the trap home and try his luck again. The story continues...
 

I'm On Top Of The World!

Summit of Mt Karioi, Raglan. The Maori legend knows her as The Sleeping Lady (Wahine Moe), jilted by her husband when he fell for  her sister Pirongia. 

Today my photo of the day was sent to me from the top of Mt Karioi (a 4.5 million year old extinct volcano) in Raglan from the gorgeous (and very fit) Miss Stantiall. Standing on the top are just some of our Year 7 & 8 students who raced to her summit on the first day of their three day camp. 

We were so excited back here at school when we received the phone call, 'we've reached the top', 750 metres! Sounds of excitement and accomplishment were obvious in the children's voices. 

Camps, and climbing maunga are such an important part of our Puketaha School Curriculum. They take a huge amount of organisation and they do come at a financial cost to our families, but they give so much to our children in return. 'Kiwi kids' have always gone to camp and at Puketaha School we will do everything we can to make sure we hold on tight to this tradition. 

More updates tomorrow......

Letting Kids Be Kids

Today's photo(s) of the day captures our children being children (there might be one of a cat being a cat). Climbing trees, playing in our Puriri Park and the flying fox are some of the ways we show that we are committed to providing an environment where 'kids can be kids' and have lots of fun as well as enjoying just being in nature.

Safety of our students is always at the forefront of our decision making, however with the increase of time our children are spending inside and in very controlled environments, we would like to think that we can also provide opportunities for them to explore their natural environment in authentic ways as well as learn essential skills around how to take safe risks. 

Climbing trees (we have a height restriction and rubber mats beneath our Magnolia) gives children the chance to get the 'birds eye view' of the world as well as the feeling of 'yes, I did it'. Swinging through the air on the flying fox gives them a safe 'thrill' without having to lose control, and the range of 'free play' games in our Puriri Park shows that our students are developing the 6 C skills of  thinking creativity, critically and in a caring way.

We really do live in a paradise and Puketaha School is no exception. We will always look for ways we can provide an environment where children are able to play freely, wonder about the world around them, run, jump, climb, crawl and explore as well as be imaginative and connect with nature in order to grow happy, healthy minds and bodies. 

A Picture Tells 1000 Words

This picture of Eva tells the Story of our Try-Challenge today. Her smile, give it a go attitude, sense of accomplishment, parental support and the fun she is having was shared by all our children. 

Aged 5 - 12 all of our students take part in our annual Try-Challenge event. They begin with a swim in our pool, followed by a ride around a 'fun' course designed by our past principal Bob Moffitt, and finish off with a run around the perimeter of our school. We even had a team entry this year by our teachers.

Some families bring a picnic or grab a Sausage sizzle, juicy or baking by our PTA which adds to the festive, family feel.

If you were able to come today, thank you, we loved seeing you supporting your children and joining in our fun. If you were unable to attend click on this link to see some photos of the day.

Wish you a safe and happy weekend.

Connecting Curriculum, Linking Learning

The above statement is a quote from Deborah Fraser from her book Connecting Curriculum, Linking Learning.

At Puketaha School our goal to to design curriculum that shows children the natural connections within and between subjects. Curriculum that has issues that our children care about will be at the centre and be based around their questions. Ultimately children will be in the drivers seat with their learning negotiating how and what they learn in their pursuit of knowing. Teachers will direct this learning using their knowledge of curriculum and of their learners. Our Puketaha 6 C's, Values and Learning Model are all an integral part of this. 

Discovery Time in Ropu Kakano 2

Discovery Time in Ropu Kakano 2 has become such a powerful way of designing a curriculum with an authentic context for learning. I spied children learning about 'under the sea' during their literacy and numeracy time! 

Curriculum integration supports our students to make connections between reading, writing and maths. 

Junior Swimmers

We had a great day at the pool this afternoon for Junior Swimming Sports. Well done all our courageous swimmers and thank you to all the parents who came along too. To see more pictures please check out our school flickr page.

Working Alongside Our Students

For part of today I was chief photographer, charged with the responsibility of photographing our staff to update our website. 

Every learning space I went into revealed teachers and teacher support staff working along side children. Whether it was taking a guided reading/writing/maths group or working with individuals they were deeply involved in their craft. 

This is Susan Hill, one of our new teachers in Ropu Puawai, working with a guided reading group. 

Student's Sharing and Assessing Their Learning

Children need to know what they are learning, why they are learning it and how they will know if they have learn't it. Today we were learning how to make our writing interesting by making our sentences descriptive. 

We were putting ourselves in someone else's shoes by writing from the perspective of children whose journey to school is dangerous, based on some fascinating pictures we had found on the internet. 

To make our sentences descriptive we were using the 'magic' formula of describing and activating the noun in the sentence. After some teacher modelling, expectation setting and then a chance to have a go on their own, with guidance from me, there were some very interesting sentences being developed. 

A chance to share these sentences was done in our lesson wrap up where the children sat in pairs and read their sentences out to each other actively listening for enjoyment and of course that the writer had used the 'magic formula'. This sharing and assessing of their writing is a very important part of the process of children becoming responsible for their own learning. Children who identified that they had not met the objective spent some time remedying this. When students know they have met the expectation for the lesson they feel successful and motivated to reinvest in learning again next time. 

To enrich this process, the teacher gives their feedback based on the learning intention adding to the success the writer feels when acknowledged for their achievement and progress. 

Technology Today

Today our students went to Ngaruawahia Primary for Technology for the second time this term. This group sewed and decorated pin cushions. Technology is part of our Year 7 & 8 programme. They go by bus once a fortnight and learn about soft and hard materials, gardening and food technology.

What happened next?

I walked into Puawai 7&8 just in time to listen to some very proud writers share their 'what happened next' pieces. 

Sharing is a very important part of the writing process. It not only celebrates the success of the writer and encourages active listening,  but is an important time of reflection on the purpose of the session and whether it has been met. 

Sea Scientists in Ropu Kakano

The students in Ropu Kakano Two are 'sea scientists' surveying the sea of Puketaha School to see how many creatures live there and adding to their tally chart. They are concerned with a statistic they found out that said 

'...by the year 2050 there will be more plastic in our oceans than fish..."

Learning this way taps into our children’s capacity for pretending’ games. Not only does this build engagement and make learning fun’, it also aligns to the child’s own way of learning about the world.

Getting Our Fingers Dirty!

Did you know that gardening, getting your hands dirty, can help you learn? 

There are so many obvious benefits to involving our children in our garden environment. But I have just been reminded that bacteria in the soil, mycobacterium vaccae, activates brain cells that help with mood, reduce anxiety and enhance learning. 

Here are our newly planted sunflowers outside Ropu Mahuri. Grow little sunflowers grow!!

Completely Absorbed

There is something quite magical about capturing a child who is completely absorbed in their piece of work! Nothing was going to distract this budding Van Gogh from their art. 

To cater for our 21st Century Learners our programmes must be engaging.

Peer Teaching in Action

I look forward to the days that I am in the classroom. It reminds me how much I love my job, working alongside teachers and students with learning at the heart of all we do. Today was no different. I captured the above moment between two five year boys where one was teaching the other how to make a helicopter rotor from K'NEX. The language of learning was so constructive and a successful helicopter rotor was made. 

Learning from our peers makes sense as often we are at a similar stage in our development. The learning is fresh in our minds and that gives us an insight into how to frame it in a way that is relevant. Children are no different, they learn successfully from each other all the time, they speak the same language and feel comfortable to ask questions of each other if they don't understand. 

Peer teaching is a model we value here at Puketaha School and deliberately develop in our children. Often this is scaffolded by the teacher but often, because of the way we have designed our environments and curriculum, this happens naturally between learners. 

  

Life Long Learning

"...The brain the does the thinking does the learning..."

As professionals we regularly reflect on our practice in a range of ways both formally and informally. Our professional learning sessions are one of the scheduled times the whole teaching staff come together to focus on the development of our school priorities. Yesterdays session was re-visiting the reason why we believe in Student Led Conferences as part of Personalising Learning for our students. 

We believe that Student is the best person to tell their parents what they have learnt and through this rich communication between the child, parent and teacher, they are able to build their knowledge of themselves as a learner as well as inform their parents about where they are at with their learning and what their next steps are. 

These constructive partnerships, focussed on learning, that develop over time between the student, their whanau, and their teachers empower families to continue these conversations at home. This type of communication increases the motivation to learn as well as  extending and enriching the learning happening at school.

Summertime

Summer feels like hot sand under my feet
Summer smells like ice-cream
Summer tastes like fish and chips
Summer looks like hot sun
Summer sounds like wind howling
By Dylan M

Often when we first come back after the holidays we use the context of that holiday to build learning around. There are many rich and varied ways teachers can design curriculum that gives children the opportunity to bring their lives into the learning environment. Writing about their experiences is one of these opportunities.

Teachers of writing encourage their students to become observant of their surroundings, looking at their everyday experiences as a chance to tell a story.

Collaborate Collaborate Collaborate

This is one of the main reasons we believe in our Modern Learning Environments - teachers working together to evaluate their impact on student achievement!

'Stick Insects'

One of the reading groups in Ropu Mahuri have insects as their context for learning. One of their follow up activities from their Shared Reading text was designed to challenge them to apply their understanding. Constructing an insect from sticks was a hands on task that showcased how well they could follow instructions and work collaboratively with a buddy. They also showed creativity and critical thinking when they chose sticks that suited each part of the insects anatomy. 

Curious Cows

Look who wanted to come to school today!! I wonder how well they would get along with the chickens, Bluebell and Maggie?

Showing Courage

This morning we got a wonderful surprise when Regan played the guitar for our National Anthem. He had butterflies in his stomach at the idea of following in Mr Drury's footsteps but proud of him we were because he did an amazing job.  Geoff went on to talk about the courage that Mr Swan showed by stepping up and taking on this important role and likened it to a courageous call made by the umpire at the cricket yesterday when he called Marsh out from Henry's bowl that hit his foot before he caught it. Our children were reminded, and that is what our quote is about today, that sometimes it is hard to make that right decision but the right decision is always the best decision in the long run.

Courage is one of our 6 C's here at Puketaha School. The reason being, that in the world we live in, it is becoming more and more essential that we are developing the ability to be 'courageous' and to make brave decisions. When we design our learning programmes we ensure that there are opportunities for our students to take risks, be resilient, try new things, enjoy challenge and to seek support if and when they need it. We are a school where we encourage intelligent mistakes. Nobody is expected to be perfect at Puketaha School.

The Promise of Things to Come

It's that time of year again, brand new stationery! The promise of things to come. Empty pages waiting to be filled with ideas.  "...I love decorating the cover pages, writing stories, solving problems and creating artistic masterpieces...". Traditional stationery combined with digital tools provide our students with a range of ways to think and communicate. 

Children using the Purposeful Spaces for Learning

Today I was working in Ropu Mahuri so my photo of the day reflects this. I thought I would capture our children learning in their purposeful spaces. Here they are working on an art project for their Learning Journal covers. 

There were four different guardian groups operating in this space, each with their own unique learning activity, however the children had the opportunity to choose a physical space that suited the learning they were doing and what type of learner they are. Some chose an independent space in the cave and were so focused they were oblivious to me taking the picture, others chose a buddy space and the top photo shows two students collaborating on the one piece. 

These children are being supported to be agents of their own learning by getting to know themselves and the way they learn best. They enjoy having a sense of ownership of their learning and therefore are more fully engaged in the process. It is a joy to be part of.

First Day Back

School feels right again. Why? Because of the buzz of excited students and their families coming back from their summer break wanting to learn and be with their friends. We have missed your smiling faces and endless energy and are looking forward to an action packed term full of learning and fun. Here are a few photos of us at assembly and of Room 8 and 9 settling in on their first day together with their new teachers and spaces. 

Purposeful Spaces for Learning

In the same way that our homes support and often shape the way we live, the way we live can shape our home. So to can our school environment support and shape the way we learn, and the way we learn can shape the way we design our classrooms and wider school environment.

Today's 'photo' of the day shows how the Ropu Mahuri teachers have organised their space into zones for authentic and engaging learning. There is the Meeting Zone, Collaborative Zone, Cave Zone and a new Zone for learning this year, called the Buddy Zone. A lot of thought has gone into the design of these zones to ensure that our students have a place that suits the type of learning they are doing as well as cater for the type of learner they are. 

These spaces allow  for a range of different learning experiences, such as reading, group work, project space, wet areas, reflection, and presenting. As well as for the learner who likes to work independently, with a buddy or in a collaborative situation.

We encourage you to come and see for yourself how learning happens in these spaces. 

Hiding Behind The Rose Garden

Do you recognise the classroom behind our gorgeous rose garden? The building of our new Ropu Kakano space is well under way. It will be exciting to watch it take shape over the first few weeks back at school. See you Wednesday. 

You are Devine Mr Devine!

As you know we have the coolest caretaker in the whole world. Our caretaker does just as his name suggests, he cares! He cares so much about our school he makes sure that it is immaculate at all times. He comes every morning to make sure our Puketaha School is ready for us and then at the end of the day to make sure it is left tidy. In the holidays he has been water blasting our grounds, shampooing the carpets, mowing the lawns, trimming the edges, getting rid of spiderwebs.... You may have noticed his handy work from last year, the train hedge outside the staffroom, purpose built furniture, lost property pick up and the tidy up and maintenance of the pool just to name a few things. A big thank you Mr Devine, we really do think you are devine!

Puketaha School feels empty without you!

What is wrong with this picture? Puketaha School feels very empty without the happy sounds of children playing with each other. We are looking forward to seeing you all on Wednesday. We have lots of exciting things planned for Term One and we can't wait to share these with you. Enjoy your last couple of days with your families, get lots of sleep and get your bag and school gear ready.

Big Picture Planning

Here we are again! 'Big picture' planning day today in Ropu Puawai. We collaborate on our planning so we get a shared understanding of what our students need to learn. First we start with a big brainstorm of all our ideas. After this we use some key questions to help focus our direction. We get the benefit of five professional's ideas and experiences to design our curriculum for the term. 

It was a big day but we are now ready to go away and plan more personalised learning experiences for groups based on their varying needs. 

From Tiny Acorns The Mighty Oak Grow

A carpet of oak mahuri.

Wandering around our Puketaha Paradise today I spotted tiny oak saplings carpeting the bark outside Ropu Puawai 5 & 6. I didn't think too much of it when I took the photo but as I have reflected more about why this scene took my eye I feel that this photo celebrates everything that we aspire to achieve at Puketaha School. Everything we do on a daily basis as leaders of learning is about growing and refining our practice in order to design learning that will take our tiny acorns in Ropu Kakano and grow them to be mighty Puawai.

Friday Funday

The teachers from Ropu Mahuri are engaged in conversations about their timetable and programme for 2016. 

Mr Swan is up to his usual antics while Miss Casey stays on task and sorts through resources.

Miss Stantiall and Mrs Hill collaborating on ideas for how they might set up the space. Mrs Hill talks with her hands. Check out Miss Stantiall's new shoes!!

Planning in our teams and starting to organise spaces for learning was the goal for today. It was a busy but productive day.