Friday, August 21, 2015

National Poetry Day

My attempt at being poetic for National Poetry Day. Thank you Paul Skerten (Skertz) for providing us with such inspiring words at the beginning of the week.


Paul offering his words of wisdom as an amateur poet on Skype. 


Eyes familiar
Joy they infuse
To the deepest, unreachable, corners of my being
Unmistakably me is all I can see
A re-birth. A shared life. Another chance.

Friday, August 14, 2015

Toki Pounamu

Last night I attended a meeting with other lead teachers for the Toki Pounamu initiative. We were presented with a strategic plan for the next 3 years. It is really happening now. I am excited about leading my staff into a new age of teaching and learning. Over the course of the coming Term, I will be working with my Senior Staff members to develop a Google Site to share their planning with student and parents. The Google Sites will become the 'hub' and will lead learners both at school and home. Making the learning 'visible' to teachers, students and their parents has been proven to lift achievement. Although I am excited about all that this initiative will afford myself and the other teachers at the School, I am also a little apprehensive about the transition. We will take small steps at first to ensure we are providing the best possible outcomes for our students. 

Friday, August 7, 2015

What country will our team be playing for?

Toki Pounamu

Last night I attended the 'official' launch of a major education initiative for Grey District - The Toki Pounamu Project. I am personally very excited about the future for education on the West Coast. This initiative will propel all learners into the 21st Century and provide them with the necessary tools to further their education beyond their primary schooling. I am really proud of the way in which my students articulated how the Learn - Create - Share philosophy is helping them to achieve. Their digital skills were truly evident to all those who took the time to talk to them. This is going to be an exciting journey...

Tuesday, August 4, 2015

geordieg@paroa: Puma Mix Up The NZ Flag

geordieg@paroa: Puma Mix Up The NZ Flag: We were searching the Puma online shop for some basketball boots for our writing and we went to change our location when we saw this!