Last week the Government announced changes to teacher staffing ratios that will increase class sizes and result in the loss of 500 teacher positions every year for the next five years. I am struggling with this concept as it will reduce the amount of time teachers have with individual students and put pressure on schools to find more money to reduce class sizes themselves.

At our school, we anticipate this may mean 1-2 next year and 1 over the next five years, assuming current roll projections.

Teachers’ are very concerned at this decision because research shows that smaller classes help boost children’s reading and maths performance, improve behaviour and engagement, especially for children who are struggling.   Research shows that the teacher student relationship is essential to a child's learning and success at school, having less time to develop this more students in a class will be a further barrier for many children.  All the Positive Behaviour for Learning initiatives such as Incredible Years are underpinned by the relationships with the child.

More students in classes less time on individuals.  

Cheese Please

I heard this a lot yesterday as we made 2200 dozen cheese rolls as a fundraiser for the PTA.  It was a long day, some of us there from 8 in the morning and I locked up and was driving home at 8.30pm.
Last year we did this also making slightly more than this figure but we did it over two days. This year a finely tuned operation decided it would be done on the same day, orders collected and we would be cleaned up and leave on the same day.  It was a really good example of team work, demonstrating everyone has something to offer.  Many parents and children contributed, and all help gratefully received.  The children's contribution was notable, there was period when there were no children as they were off playing sport in the morning and we came to realise that having the bread and cheese arrive at the table and the completed rolls collected actually meant we could just carry on.  Between the parents, whanau, staff and children we were able to undertake and achieve this task together.  A significant contributing factor was the fact that we had a high, but realistic goal to aim for and everyone was committed to it.  We were all on the same page, all doing our bit and we were getting regular constructive feedback and encouragement, ( we could see the bread pile go down, we knew how many mixes we needed, how much cheese we had to use) and this all helped.     So when the task is big, work together, be clear about what and how it will be acheived, ensure everyone knows what they are doing, ensure there is regular feedback about progress and at the end of the day celebrate the success!!  Well done team a great effort.

The importance of knowing what has gone on before

Where we've been is who we become and it makes us who we will be.
A really good example of this is the way we acknowledge our fallen, the impact of war and the  need to not go there again, with our ANZAC commemorations.  I have watched over a number  of years in teaching, the numbers of people, particularly younger people attending the services held on ANZAC Day. As a young person in form 4 ( year 10)and a long time ago now - last century in fact,  I was exposed to a teacher who allowed us to discuss and debate ( during English war poetry ) the anomalies and fallacies of war. at the time it was seen as a great way to avoid us doing the written work but many of us became quite incensed at the senselessness of it in terms of loss of life. Two years later as a 6th former (year 12) the Falklands war broke out and I was totally dumbfounded at the reaction of many of my classmates ( male largely) who openly talked about how they would go if they were needed.  It is only now as an adult that I know what was actually happening in that particular case.  I strongly believe and have to have faith now that our children will know that they have a right to question and challenge and say I do not agree.  Much as ANZAC day is a day to commemorate those incredibly brave people who died when there was little chance of survival for something they believed, it is also about the need to recognise that  we need to have the ability to challenge and think for ourselves, question and pursue things.  This is freedom.

Busy times

These last few weeks, and in fact since the beginning of term, we have been very busy.  We have had camps, our very first Wai Tri ( triathlon), school fair, swimming sports and are about to have our student learning conferences.   Whew!! No wonder we may be feeling a little jaded, but it has all been great.  Throw in a cricket tournament and simply settling back into school after a long holiday in a new class with a new teacher, I think we can all be very pleased with how things have gone this term.  It may explain why some kids are feeling a little tired. We sure pack a lot into our school lives.

National Standards - my worries

I don't think I have ever felt so disillusioned with my job in the 15 Years I have spent as a Principal. The disillusionment stems from feeling totally disregarded and dis-empowered when trying to effect change with the present bulldozing through of National standards in their current state. Principals, teachers and Board members all over the country having been asking for things to slow down, for the Ministry to take another look at the contents and also the implementation process and in particular the appalling training that has been provided around the standards.
Let me put the record straight as I believe the public are being deliberately confused - there are two main components mostly associated with the National standards debate; one is being used to wash over the professionals real concerns, that is reporting to parents - all professional acknowledge we want parents to be well informed about their child's achievement, their next steps and what parent scan do to assist, we can get better at communicating this and are very keen to work together on this. BUT parents positive response to this is being used as an argument that parents want the present National Standards. I believe this is not the case because to date we have been naively focusing on trying to affect change with the Minister when we are clearly never going to be heard. We have tried to remain professional and to minimise any impact on children and teachers. But now we need our parents to understand our concerns and for them to consider whether this is what they want for their children and their learning.
So what are my worries about National Standards;
- National Standards are being implemented without any input from teachers or principals - the people who teach and assess children on daily basis, those who know what works and doesn't work for children's learning.
- The content of the actual standards had no input from teachers and principals, in fact no one has actually admitted who devised the standards - it was apparently done behind closed doors and rumour has it those involved had to sign confidentiality agreements. Very Transparent and open - NOT!!
- Overseas research indicates that National Standards have not raised student acheivement
but can in fact have the opposite effect.
- In 2008 the minsiter was advised, at a Symposium on Assessemnt held in Queenstown, by overseas experts that National Standards shoudl not be pursued as the impact would be negative.
- The current National Standards are being implemented in an untried manner, with such speed and haste those delivering the training do not know the answers to the questions teachers and principals are asking.
- There is a huge mismatch between the Assessment tools and the results these give and the National Standards. Students who have until now been achieving well may well be seen as failing the National Standards.
- There are additional requirements with this new system which are taking time away from teaching and learning and also requiring teachers to spend more time away from planning and preparation. This has a negative impact on the programmes students receive.
- We have a newly implemented, widely consulted, world class curriculum which has taken 7 years to develop. It is exciting and relevant. There are huge risks that this will now be narrowed as time is taken and focused on National Standards.
I have a number of other concerns also but will this will do for now.

I fear for the direction of our highly acclaimed and recognised education system, but my largest fear is the damage it may well do to our children, there has been no trial and it is against all research and follows a pattern of others that they have now abandoned - so why the rush?...

Good things can take time....

Finally we are nearing the end, putting the finishing touches on our remodelled block. It seems like we've been waiting forever for this to actually happen. In fact we have been talking about doing something about it since around 2002, and finally after discussion with eh Ministry about how much money they would give us and whether we should knock down the entire building down and rebuild altogether ( we'd probably still be waiting another 10 years on that!) we have achieved it. Now we have a modern learning environment which accommodates 8 teaching spaces, has flexible space, maximises the use of storage and access to resources and is acoustically sound. Can't wait for the next project!!

Spring is here!!

Spring is here and it makes us all feel a lot better and more hopeful. It brings nicer weather, longer days and for most people a new outlook. Studies have shown that the amount of sunlight we are exposed to actually affects our mood and mental health, so even our mood starts to improve.

It was great to see everyone so actively involved, participating and having fun at our JUMP OFF on Friday. What was really wonderful to watch was the way the students all supported and encouraged each other as they were in mixed age groups and skipping is certainly does not always come easy to all children.

I also got to catch the Waimataitai Brass concert this afternoon which was the end point for their Band Camp. Not only did they perform as a band but we were treated to some of the band members other talents. Nurturing our talents and creativity certainly helps us try new things and allows us to realise the other opportunities out there. My apologies the sound was not on and the camera person was a real amateur (me)

7

What is a winner?

Today I saw a whole lot of winners as I moved around Timaru trying to cover as much ground as possible within a short time frame and tick of as many things as I could. I drove past West End Park twice and on both occasions I saw a different field of soccer players, their support crew and their supporters. I went up briefly to the netball and saw 4 of our teams all having a great time playing for the fun of it, it was the final day and dressing up was required!! One of our teams, however did not dress up as they were contesting the final of their grade. I was impressed with the "professional" attitude they were displaying, along with their very supportive followers. I am unsure of the final score or outcome from what I observed it was irrelevant - they were all winners as they were playing their hearts out and thoroughly enjoying themselves knowing how much they had improved and learned over the season. They are the winners. As are all the others who stick at it, persevere to the end and apply themselves because they have the satisfaction of being part something bigger than themselves, by participating and contributing to a team. A team works together to achieve, Together Everyone Achieving More makes us all winners.
Well done to all our team players in whatever you participate in, and contribute to, your effort makes a difference. I think we have a lot of winning teams associated with our school; the team of staff, the team of leaders, the team of parents, the team of students and the Board team who work as a team and achieve a better result by working together. At Waimataitai we are all a team of winners, motivated and reflecting doing better all the time.

What makes a winning team?

I have been thinking about this a lot lately for a variety of reasons; the success of Southland over Otago in the Air New Zealand Cup ( which I was personally thrilled about), the success of some of our school sports teams, the success of our recent ERO review highlighting the teamwork of the Board, the leadership and the staff of our school and the whole notion of being a team player at Waimataitai. I, of course mean winning team in the broadest sense, that of a team that is successful and achieves the result they are looking for. I think the key to it all is having everyone working together for the same outcome, on the same page, all wanting the same thing and knowing what their role is in supporting people to achieve this outcome. I think we try really hard with this at Waimataitai, I guess that is why I believe that student led learning conferences are an essential part of the team work that needs to happen at our school. What I struggle to understand is when parents think these are only worthwhile to them if the child isn't there. I can't think of anything more undermining than having adults talking about my learning when I am not in the room to have input. I find it particularly hard to understand why parents wouldn't want to be there to hear how it is for both their child and the teacher and how we can all work together to achieve something. I guess it would be like having the team talk without the team. If nothing else student led conferences are a time for students to have their time in the sun and show their parents how well they are doing and what their next steps are. It must be really disappointing for students not to have this opportunity and it must be really hard for them to understand why when everyone else is doing it they are not. I guess being part of a winning team is about focusing on what is important, working together to achieve this and having everyone on the same page ( or team). Research strongly indicates the children whose parents who are actively involved and take an interest in their child's education or any involvements are more successful. So what makes a winning team - being there.

Changing of the Guard

It is so good to be back. I have had a wonderful sabbatical but I am most fortunate to have the privilege of having the best job in the world. I get to work with some of the world's most fabulous people; adults, staff, parents and children who want to learn and see each day as opportunity. I think that is why I am so passionate about education, because it is so empowering and so hopeful, the people involved in it what to make a difference especially the learners.
The week went well, great to be greeted by so many children and adults who were keen to hear how my time away was. Of course I was more interested in what they had been up to and have spent some time catching up. I did however "miss the boat" on a couple of things - one was a really big error on my part - hopefully, my apology will be accepted...... I forgot to acknowledge last terms recipients of the Wai Learner Awards ( this is a biggee so I really mucked up). My only excuse was that there was a "changing of the guard" and I simply moved on without thinking about the last few days of term 2. So I am really sorry to the outstanding students who received these awards - not flash on my part at all however they will be in the newsletter this week. I understand they were recognised by at the last assembly for the term so at least some people knew.

CHANGE
I must say that I take my hat off to learning team 3. They have had to move out "lock, stock and barrel"( I am into using cliches obviously) from their rooms and shift to a new area whilst the remodel of the main block has begun. They did it so easily and if you could see how well they have set up their new environments you would be suitably impressed. Learning Team 2 however have shown how adaptable they can be by ignoring all the activity going on above and beside them. When you look at the way the main block looks from the South side at the moment you might start wondering how it will ever possibly be finisheds- I guess that is the thing about demolition, you do have to get rid of the old to make way for the new. I know there will be lots of people really pleased to hear we are completely replacing the locker bay and toilets and addressing the really noisy and unsafe stairwell. It will be well worth the wait.

Don't you just love term break!!

I do. Except this year I felt a bit of a fraud as I had had my trip overseas and sabbatical so I really was ready to go back to school. Fortunately I have had one or two distractions to prevent me from creating heaps of work for other people next term. One thing I love about term break is you get the freedom to work when you want where you want so working at home away from the noise of the builders was really good and as the power, water and heat was little unreliable I felt quiet guilt free. I also had the added issue of my home computer being out of action so I was really forced to think about how we used to do things before computers.

I have spent time with my family and friends and even had my two nephews up to stay over the school. They love Timaru and rightly so because it has so much to offer; a good crisp climate in the winter, great resources on our doorstep like skiing, skating and just being active. They know all the really cool places to go like the skate park, the Scenic, the board walk and really enjoy "shooting hoops" at school and playing on the playground. They both spent quite a lot of time climbing one of my trees and determining the best way to build access and a hut. The other thing that kept them on their toes and rather challenged, was my new addition. I am now the proud owner of a Jack Russell puppy called Flynn. He is now nearly 10 weeks old and is still learning a lot ( and so am I) about what to do and not to do. I can see that my life has changes substantially and I will now need to adjust a number of my habits for him. He is very cute and of course I think he is rather intelligent but I guess that is the usual bias showing. I can't help but I have included a photo - you will see what I mean when I say he is cute!!

I am sure somewhere along the way you will get to know him quite well.

This term looks to be an exciting one with the challenge of coping with all the building going on and the changes this has meant, the ERO visit, skiing, skating and Student learning conferences and of course we have simply getting on with our learning.

I can't wait till Monday when everyone turns up so pleased to be back, yes kids (and Parents) really do like school and the staff well they never sleep well on Sundays anyway because their heads are so full of everything they want to happen in the next week, this is worse on the eve of a new term. I hope you are ready for Term Three and all that it brings, I look forward to catching up with you all.

Working at Home

Thank you for all the questions I am getting about my trip. Bumble is fine and has now returned to school, he couldn't wait and he needs to get back to his job. I unfortunately have to finsih my work at home even if I really would ratehr be at school. I did pop in and see all the staff yesterday and that was great, they have all been so busy. I can see that Waimataitai Wai Learners have continued to be right into their learning. I am looking forward to seeing all of your wonderful work at the Art Auction.

It is hard to believe that last week I was in summer and this week I am in winter. Does anyone know how that works? It was light at 4.30am in the morning and didn't get dark till after 10pm in Scotland, I come back here and it is still dark at 7.30am and at 4.30pm it is getting dark again, I wonder why that is?

Next week I am off to some meetings and courses and will visit a school in Christchurch that has been trialling a Nurture Group this year. I want to find out how it is going for them. I can see the time to get all my writing done and all the other projects I have planned to do will go very quickly.

Bumble is Back !!

I know many of you wanted photos while we were away but that proved too difficult for Bumble. However now we are back we will be trying to work out how the best way to share these with you will be. This photo is from one of my favourite places.... Bled, in the background there is a church on an island where people go to get married. The man has to carry the woman up the stairs on his back and she must not say anything. It is a very interesting tradition. I know someone getting married I wonder if they might try it.

Bumble is having a rest in Hyde Park, London, he had been walking all around London that day and had had lunch at Convent Garden with the pigeons who are always very happy to talk to tourists having lunch.

This is a very famous fountain in Rome.

This is Bumble at the "Lizard", right at the southern end of Britain. It does not have as many tourists as "Lands End".

And one more ....... Bumble really enjoyed San Gigminiano in Tuscany, Italy. He liked the old buildings and streets and the beautiful Tuscan Hills and valleys.

Be back soon..

Hi to everyone and thanks for all the really neat comments while i have been away. I will be back in New Zealand on Sunday and maybe I might see some of you next week, but I have lots of writing to do before I come back to school officially.

I really enjoyed Scotland - I love the Scottish people they are so friendly, generous and helpful. A lot of Scotland is like New Zealand. When we visited Edinburgh you get off the train and you hear the bagpipes as some one is playing just outside the station. Every where you go you see the Scottish thistle which I really like also. I did manage to get some Scottish and Welsh rugby jerseys - some of you will know they are for.....

Today Bumble, Pauline, Sarah and I are going to Kew Gardens ( Miss Wilson and Mrs Vincent will be very jealous!). Pauline thinks that Bumble will get hayfever and maybe he should stay home but I think he will tough it out. Pauline can be so thoughtful sometimes. After Kew gardens we will have dinner in London and we are going to a show called "Sister Act". They have so many shows in London it is hard to choose. Another hot day here.

Might see you next week sometime...

What do the Scottish call Lakes?

HAve spent the last few days in a place called Pithlocry, can you find it? Back to near London now and have started thinking about the trip home and how to pack my bags. Did you know in Scotland and England you have pay to go fishing in the rivers and it is very expensive.

Bumble is off to bed already as we travelled over 560 miles today - not sure how many kilometres that is but it took us a long time. In Britain they use miles, pounds and pence. They still have 1 penny two pence, 5pence pieces too - really strange and quite annoying when you are not used to them.

Fly out on the plane from Heathrow Airport on Friday evening at 6.40 and we get to Christchurch by 11am on Sunday but we only fly for 21 hours so how does that work out I wonder????

Armadale, West Lothian

Thanks for all the comments. I can't believe the weather in Scotland, 27 degrees yesterday and looks the same today. Yesterday I visited three different schools - all very different. Uphall, Toronto and St JJoseph's in Whitburn. I saw a music therapy session and got to conduct the orchestra. We went to an assembly and presented certificates for brass exams. We saw the most amazing toilets ( yes really) at St Joesph's - beautifully painted with murals - have an idea....... about this.



I have met some amazing teachers and head teachers ( that is what principals get called here) and really neat kids. They are very interested in us.

Last night we caught the train into Edinburgh and went right past Edinburgh Castle. They are ripping up the main street in Edinburgh to put in trams, I wodnewr why? This is not the first place that has done this.

We are off to Pithlochery tomorrow for two nights and thenhead back to London until we catch the plane home. I think Bumble is ready to come home now, he has had so much fun adn learned so much but I think he misses school and everyone there. Hopefully he will back in time for the senior cross country.

Well best get going again we are off to Linlithgow to do some shopping.

I heard teh SING OFF was fantastic, am really sorry I missed it - did any one video it?

Miss you all - hope you remembered Mrs Donaldsons birthday last week too...

Hi there from Chipping Camden - can you find it?

I am really sorry it has been so long - we have just been so busy!! Bumble, Pauline and I have been all over right to the bottom of the country - no not the famous Land's end but "|The Lizard".

We stayed a night in Clovelly which is famous as it hasa steep street adn donekys are theonly things other than people to cart thigns up and down the hill. It is also the place where Charels Kingsley came from. Last night we stayed in Burford adn it has the most amazing array of houses. We are a day beign our plans as we satyed longer in Bath - it was 27 degrees.

In Bath I visited Jane Austin Centre - she is a famous author - do you know any books she wrote.
It was my birthday last week and I was given a beautiful book about an artist called Sue Dove, I saw some of her work and |I am going to try some out.

We will be heading off to Scotland at the end of the week and then we will be int he same place that the famous singer on Britains Got Talent is from - Susan Boyle. In fact I am visiting two schools there. The finals of Britains Got talent are this week - everyone here is talking about it - it seems really strange.

Hope the junior Cross coutnry went well and you all tried your best, the rest of you will be all training hard as well. I might be home in time to come and watch the senior one!

Keep working hard - Kakite

Bumble Bumble where have you been? I've been to L..........n to visit the Queen.

Bumble has had an amazing day. He,Pauline, Sarah (Pauline's daughter) and I took the train from Staines into Waterloo Station. We all had lunch in Covent Garden. The weather is better, we were worried Bumble would feel the cold but the temperature has improved as it is Spring here. We looked around the market and walked back through Trafalgar Square and past Nelson's Column. We walked back to Waterloo Station and were just in time for the changing of the Guard. We went past 10 Downing street, someone important lives there. (do you know who?)

Bumble was so excited about being in all these famous places that he forgot to get a photo but he also saw the L............ Eye, Big Ben ( which he felt rather overwhelmed by) and the wind picked up as we were crossing the large river that runs through L.............. and he was so pleased to be holding onto to my hand or it would have been a near catastrophe.

We had to "spend a penny" at Waterloo Station except it wasn't a penny it was 30, think that is inflation. ( You often have to pay or"spend a penny" in foreign countries!! New Zealand is lucky.)

Before we got to this huge city which is also the Capital of England we came from Zagreb having stayed in a Hotel famous for having guests of the Orient Express. It was very flash and Bumble really liked the luxurious corner room we had that overlooked the promenade. Before that we stayed in a place called Bled which was in a different country to Zagreb. It was in Slovenia. We really liked that as we had a beautiful lake to look at and we biked around it. We had visited the Castle at Bled and were enjoying a nice coffee in the sun when a tourist asked if they could take Bumbles photo. The tourist took 4 photos of Bumble with the lovely little island church in the background. Bumble hasn't stopped smiling since he was so pleased to see the look in Pauline's face as the tourist didn't ask her.

As you can probably see Bumble has been having the time of his life - I hope he settles down as we are visiting two schools on Thursday and Friday in a different country ( to the west of L............) and he needs to be on his best behaviour as he is representing all the Wai Learners from Waimataitai.

Plitvicka Lakes , can you find us?

We are in an absolutely beautiful place which is part of the National park. I saw a snake - it was about 15 cm long and it was quite fat. I was told it wasn t really a snake but a ˝blind snake˝ as it doesnt have any fangs or teeth. We were walking along havigng just finished awalk through this forest and by these very famous lakes and waterfalls and I just saw it in the grass. It gave Bumble quite a fright and I was little surprised also. At lunch today we vitisteda place with a restaurant and out the back they had two bear cubs. Their mother had been killed and they had been given special permission to keep them. I felt a little sorry for them.
Last night we stayed in a place called Split and tomorrow we are off to Bled. I have been texting lots of people but it seems that only some of their texts are getting through but I will keep texting just to let people know Bumble, Pauline and I are getting on okay. Pauline and Bumble have become quite close friends adn she ahs introduced him to anumber of people who have wanted to know about him. He squeaks away quite politely.

I hope everyone is working hard at school and having fun learning.

Z..........b

Hi we are somewhere in Croatia and it starts with Z and ends with B. We had to take 5 trains to get here coming from Riomaggiore, to Bolonga, Venice and then Villach to here and got to our hotel at midnight ' it was a long day. We were worried as our most important train was 30 mins late but believe it or not they held the train for us!! Which country is Villach in? The keyboards are different here and they were in Italy too. We had wonderful walk along the Cinque Terre - it is a beautiful walk some bits tougher than others, one art of the track was closed due to slips from rain. We also went out on a boat so I some photos just like Mrs Vincent.

Today we fly to S.........o in Bosnia Herzgovenia which I am excited about as I studied their history at school. There have been so many highlights I think Bumble has been overwhelmed with things. we will start our tour tonight meeting asll the other people. I think the Euro is great but now we ahver to deal with kuna and other things..... Can you guess what I am talking about?

Have taken photos with Bumble but so far been unable to put them on the blog, but be assured he is well looked after!!

Hope your first week gone well and that the LT3 camps were a hit.