2015 Year 8 Send-Off - Kapa Haka

A New Hope

With the recent release of 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens', I discovered that the majority of my class had indeed not seen the original Star Wars. With 1 1/2 days of school to go, I felt it was time to educate them in 20th century cinematic history. The VHS and 14" Television added to the experience!

Roller Coaster Week

I always find this time of the year very difficult. Yes, the inevitable end of year administration is demanding but pales in significance compared with having to farewell another unforgettable group of students. I have taught most of the 16 Year 8's for two years and some of them I have taught for three consecutive years. Three consecutive years. I still find this difficult to fathom. They have become part of my everyday life. At this time of the year I almost always start asking myself some serious questions: Have I had an impact on their learning? Have I done enough? Are they equipped for High School?

Only time will tell. All I know is that I have given it my all. There have been highs and there have been lows. Many successes and lots of failures. If there was something I wanted to try, I tried it. If there was something that needed to end, I ended it. 

Although it's not something they have probably ever really considered, this group of graduates have taught me a lot; helped shift and shape my practice. Their willingness to adapt and to experiment with new ways to reinforce learning has provided me with the scope to facilitate and more importantly, assess achievement outcomes. Their open and respectful relationship with me has provided valuable insights into the effectiveness of our programmes.  

I hosted the Year 8's and their families at my home for an end of year BBQ this week. It was so well attended and such a memorable night. It has become a bit of tradition for the Year 8's to write 'toasts' to one another and they did such a fine job of this. 

To my unforgettable Year 8's, Thank you. Thank you for everything you have done for this school. You are talented, well-grounded and overflowing with potential. Enjoy the adventure that is High School. May the force be with you!

 

WPCA 2015 - The Final Cut

WPCA Challenge #8 2015 - Sailing Lake Mahinapua & Graduation

Nature Deficit Disorder

Since having a family, I've had a steadfast rule that 'weekends are sacred'; work is off-limits on weekends. Sadly, Term 4 - in all its glory - destroys any notion of this! 

However, last Anniversary weekend the family and I managed to 'go bush'. Our family was definitely starting to display symptoms of 'Nature Deficit Disorder'. It was only our 2nd overnight family tramp of the year but not bad considering our youngest, Walt, is less than 1 year old and our oldest, Stella, has just turned 3! It's always an uplifting feeling ditching the computer, emails and phones to reconnect with what's truly important to our family - having an association with the natural world. 

Stella absolutely stormed it. This tramp, at 8km, was a fair few kilometres longer than the last adventure. She walked all of this, with the exception of a 600m section down a steep ridge. The terrain was rugged and extremely demanding on her little legs but her positive attitude and fighter spirit carried her through. Stella's highlight, as always, was playing in the tent - this time with her little bro! Although she did comment later that collecting sticks for the fire with Dad was pretty cool too. Walt had a cruisy ride in Mum's backpack, lapping up the contrasting colours and the curious sounds that nature generates. 

Next year, with the cognitive demand the Toki Pounamu Project and all the other challenges a new schooling year will bring, we plan to get out for an overnight adventure at least once a term. I always feel refreshed after such experiences, albeit small overnighters at this stage with a young family. Stay tuned. 

WPCA Challenge #7 2015 - Mountain Biking the Bundi