What great effort well done Waimataitai, Tino pai te mahi
Sunday, March 16, 2008
How to make a comment on a blog
1. Locate the "comments" and click on this to open a new screen
2. Write your comment
3. Scroll down until you see a secure word
4. Type the secure word in the space
5. Scroll down and you will be asked for your google address or blogger user name and password. If you don't have either you will need to create one - follow the steps - if I can do it you can do it!!
6. You should then be all set to go
I have found it takes a little getting used to but once you have don it a few times and have your username and password sorted you are off.
Be aware all comments are meant to be appropriate and responsible as they are all able to be read all over the world!!
Happy commenting and potentially blogging ...........
2. Write your comment
3. Scroll down until you see a secure word
4. Type the secure word in the space
5. Scroll down and you will be asked for your google address or blogger user name and password. If you don't have either you will need to create one - follow the steps - if I can do it you can do it!!
6. You should then be all set to go
I have found it takes a little getting used to but once you have don it a few times and have your username and password sorted you are off.
Be aware all comments are meant to be appropriate and responsible as they are all able to be read all over the world!!
Happy commenting and potentially blogging ...........
Support for Student learning
I have just had a lovely weekend away At Moeraki and I have done a lot of thinking about our school. I arrived home a little too late to get to Top Schools but was pleased to receive the message that our year 4 team had won and Waimataitai had one over all. The comment was made what great groups of kids and superb parents. A really good example of team players and support for kids and family.
Last Thursday we had our first student learning conferences for the year. These are always a highlight for me as I really enjoy seeing everyone being excited about them. I know the staff enjoy these too, despite it being a long day they come in for their light tea buzzing about how proud they are of the kids and how much they appreciate the parents interest and follow up. It is amazing to think that for years we have met with parents without the student and thought this would help the child's learning. All it does really is undermine the child and their ownership of their learning. I am not saying there is not a place for parents to meet with the teacher without the child present as there certainly are occasions when this is appropriate but if we are talking about supporting children's learning we need the three parts to the partnership there; the learner , the parents or whanau and the school.
We are really trying to instill in our students the fact that learning goes on everywhere not just school but in every experience we have and that is where parents are the vital support. All the conversations that go on at home while you are eating at the table or drying the dishes or driving the car all reinforce our learning and our understanding of the world we live in. One of the things we are hoping to see happen is that the concept of our Wai learner being a happy, motivated, reflective, respectful, curious team player is also seen at home. School is only one contributor to children's learning and parents have a huge role by taking an interest in whatever their child is doing or showing enthusiasm for.
We are all in this together.
I spent Friday afternoon learning how to fill in the cricket log whilst our boys Milo cricket team played ST Josephs Timaru. What a great team - I was really impressed with the way they were so supportive of each others efforts with positive comments and put ups. They were disappointed that they lost but they were able to see what they had done well and acknowledge that and also identified some areas they could work on. Very reflective and admirable qualities.
I think the most rewarding part of my job is seeing kids really motivated and engaged and proud of their achievements and when you have watched grow up to see these fine young people it is very encouraging for the future. After all it is in our hands, all of us.
Last Thursday we had our first student learning conferences for the year. These are always a highlight for me as I really enjoy seeing everyone being excited about them. I know the staff enjoy these too, despite it being a long day they come in for their light tea buzzing about how proud they are of the kids and how much they appreciate the parents interest and follow up. It is amazing to think that for years we have met with parents without the student and thought this would help the child's learning. All it does really is undermine the child and their ownership of their learning. I am not saying there is not a place for parents to meet with the teacher without the child present as there certainly are occasions when this is appropriate but if we are talking about supporting children's learning we need the three parts to the partnership there; the learner , the parents or whanau and the school.
We are really trying to instill in our students the fact that learning goes on everywhere not just school but in every experience we have and that is where parents are the vital support. All the conversations that go on at home while you are eating at the table or drying the dishes or driving the car all reinforce our learning and our understanding of the world we live in. One of the things we are hoping to see happen is that the concept of our Wai learner being a happy, motivated, reflective, respectful, curious team player is also seen at home. School is only one contributor to children's learning and parents have a huge role by taking an interest in whatever their child is doing or showing enthusiasm for.
We are all in this together.
I spent Friday afternoon learning how to fill in the cricket log whilst our boys Milo cricket team played ST Josephs Timaru. What a great team - I was really impressed with the way they were so supportive of each others efforts with positive comments and put ups. They were disappointed that they lost but they were able to see what they had done well and acknowledge that and also identified some areas they could work on. Very reflective and admirable qualities.
I think the most rewarding part of my job is seeing kids really motivated and engaged and proud of their achievements and when you have watched grow up to see these fine young people it is very encouraging for the future. After all it is in our hands, all of us.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
School Swimming Sports 10 March
The school swimming sports were very successful this year in terms of participation with almost every student participating in at least two events. I am hopeful we are over the days of students convincing their parents they need a note as this type of collusion really does nothing to support students in the long run. This used to happen a few years ago, and quite a lot. Michelle Johannsson and her great group of parents and staff ensured that we were able to get through all the events. I can't help but be a little concerned though that the general standard of swimming appears to be declining over time. I do realise it is impossible for us to teach children to swim really well given the time we get in the pool but I feel that many students appear to have had little time to even practice the skills they have. Some schools have stopped swimming altogether because they feel it is pointless in terms of access and progress made, but living right here in Timaru beside the sea and surrounded by all the lakes and rivers in South Canterbury I feel very strongly that we need to do something. I am unsure of the answer but I am not totally convinced our new aquatic complex will address this either especially when we will have all schools seeking time in one venue rather than two. I would be really interested in anyone's thoughts on how we better support our kids to learn to swim.
Sunday, March 9, 2008
School Fair
Our school fair on Saturday was amazing. The weather was on our side and everyone was in a great mood for a fun day. It was great to see so many people turned out to enjoy the fair. We raised $7000. This was a good example of the team players we have at our school. People got in and helped and everyone's effort paid off. Thank you to everyone for their donations of goods, time and effort it all meant we had a great day.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Our Principal
Your enthusiasm is contagious and motivates the staff and students at Waimataitai School
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Becoming a Blogger
I am learning to Blog, everyone said it is really easy and I thought that this might a be a good way to share some of my thinking with our students, staff, parents and wider community. I have a great deal to learn but I love learning new things and get really excited when I achieve something new. I also really enjoy my job and what I do and love to talk about it so I guess this is also another way of doing it except people can choose to read it or not and that seems pretty fair to me.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)