dynamic start

It's been quite some time since my last post. Our start to the year, across the school, has been full-on. We have been engaging in a number of new testing and follow-up analysis in order to report more efficiently and consistently across the Grey District cluster. Researchers from Auckland University are conducting studies of Toki Pounamu outcomes which has naturally placed a huge emphasis on reporting this Term. 

It's been nice the last couple of weeks to establish some routine in terms of learning in the core curriculum areas. Students are fully engaged with their 'Boomwriting'. It's awesome to see such high levels of engagement. If you're not sure what I'm I'm referring to, please have a chat to your child or visit boomwriter.com. 

We charged through some diagnostic testing in Statistics and students have been focusing on their challenges or 'gaps' in this area. I'm looking forward to starting our Numeracy programme next week with our re-designed progressions.

One of my key focuses this year is to facilitate a more balanced programme that incorporates more curriculum areas. I feel very lucky to have Mrs Gibson who is teaching French on my release days. Mrs Elvidge is teaching Science on Wednesdays for a session while I'm helping Room's 5 & 6 with their Toki Pounamu learning. My students were very proud of me for attending a Visual Art course this week. I am aiming to incorporate more opportunities in The Arts this year as I'm conscious of the importance of students being able to express themselves artistically. 

With the conclusion of the Swimming next week and beginning of the year testing, we will now be entering a 'settling in' and consolidation period where the depth of learning will increase. This period will also present more opportunities to explore The Element and Community components of the Year 8 Programme. I'm really enjoying these students, they're dynamic, fun and focused.