Parent Communication

"Engage in ethical, respectful, positive and collaborative professional relationships with whanau (family)" 

Constantly interacting and communicating with parents and caregivers is an important part of the profession of teaching. Not only reporting the child's progress, but understanding home life really helps us understand who we are teaching and how to teach them.

This is our school's version of a 'Home Sample' folder. We name ours Taonga Files (Taonga means treasure). It allows the children to take home examples of their work with progress comments by the teacher with regards to where they sit against the National Standard. It allows for the parents to revise and have a base of something to talk about during parent/teacher conferences. 

On our weekly homework sheet, there is always a message to parents/caregivers and space for them to write back to the classroom teacher. This has proven to be an effective channel of communication. 

Using devices in the classroom to raise student achievement.

" Systematically and critically engage with evidence and professional literature to reflect on and refine practice"

As we start to integrate Ipads into our classroom programme, it is essential to understand how they can be used best with the overall aim of raising student achievement. Below are some readings that have been done to examine this.

Using Mathematical materials

Using materials when teaching maths is important as it allows student to understand numbers and how they relate to each other, rather than being taught a process or a 'rule'.

I hear and I forget 
I see and I remember 
I do and I understand 

Below is an example of students using equipment to understand place value multiplication 34x3 = (30x3) + (4x3) = 102

Example of student work

Below is an example of a speech from our class that made it through to the Senior Speech Competition.

Be Yourself.

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, creativity, individual and unique. What were your first thoughts when I said those 3 words? What came to mind? Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, today I will be talking to you about being yourself. There’s more to it than just speaking your mind. And I’ll give you 3 reasons. Difference, courage, change. If, during my speech, I make a mistake and giggle, I’m not sorry because I’m just being myself.

Hi my name is Sky. I’m one of the few year 8 students in room 5 and am proud to say, it is the best class in the school. Not because of the amazing teachers we have but because of the people in there. Yeah our class does argue but don’t all? Wait, no. We aren’t a class, we’re a family. My aim in school is to be and act myself. That is the main reason for my topic. It’s not really a goal because it is something I already achieved, so instead of working to be myself, I like to say “it’s something I’m working for.” Because well, it is. Anyway, enough about me.

Difference. Don’t be afraid of being different. Instead of fitting in, stick out. Instead of trying to impress, do what makes you feel comfortable. Stand before the people you fear and speak your mind – even if your voice shakes. You know? You got to be brave, go against the crowd and prove you aren’t a follower but a leader. In order to reach your destination point, you have to be yourself. What society says is something you choose to believe. The way you do things is not the only way to do them. You aren’t going to get anywhere if you’re only going to put up a façade. You see people, we are all different but then again, we are all the same. But ignore the similarities, focus on originality to attract true friends and family to be rewarded with support not parodies and carry them on your life journey. I know life can be unfair sometimes but that doesn’t mean you cancel your climb, no need to rush just take your time, don’t commit a crime or chase no dime, I know you’ll make it and cross the line, because it proves that you have the strength and bravery that everyone thought you didn’t have. You can prove to them that you are a leader just by being yourself.

Courage. Where there’s a will, there’s a way. But to get it that way, you got to be courageous. Now I know not everyone has the courage to make it that way because you are surrounded by your deepest fears. Judgement, shame, negativity and mockery. You are easily brang down by what one person might have said but you don’t show it. You cover it up with a façade. These fears are stopping you from getting anywhere so you give up. But if you keep your mind on positivity then you will have success on what you were trying to achieve. Think of a way out. Don’t think about how got there in the first place because you already know. Courage is the ability to do something that may be frightening but you know it’s worth it. It’s not the absence of fear but the ability to act in the presence of fear. Have the courage and bravery to be yourself.

Change. Change is scary. Where you’re at now, might not be where you’re supposed to be. You miss 100% of the shots you didn’t take all because you couldn’t change who you are. I’m not saying you aren’t good enough, I’m saying that sometimes changes are necessary. Half the time you aren’t who you are. You’re who everyone wants you to be. You’re letting everyone take control over your body, your life, you. We fear rejection, want attention, crave affection and dream of perfection. But what if you changed? Changed the way you see things? Fear meant need, want meant greed, crave meant leave and dream meant free. Think of it as steps. Need of something new, greedy of change, leave for a new beginning and become free. Free from the lies, free from denies. Free from fake friends, free from scam sends. Free like a bird, free to have a word. Change not for your friends, family or enemies. Only for you, yourself and your mind. Change. Because you never know until you try. People might tell you not to change, all because they like the idea of seeing you now. Change for the better and make people accept you for you.

So, today I was here talking to you about being yourself. Difference, courage and change. If everyone made a change to be their selves, it’ll show how much difference there was to the person you were before to the person you actually are and how you had the courage to embrace the inner you. Change your life, maybe become the first good wife or a chef with a knife. Become the first female prime minister or a famous NZ director. FEAR. Face Everything And Rise. Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind. New challenges, new change, new beginning, new you. But can you rise up to my challenge, can you be the person you were made to be? Thank you for your time.

Buddy Reading with Room 6

"Demonstrate commitment to promoting the well-being of all akonga (students)"

Once a week, students from Room 5 read with buddies from Room 6 (Year 3 and 4). This allows both classes to interact with others that are from a different age group and gives our seniors a chance to role model mature behaviour and class expectations.

Oral Language PD - Dr. Jannie van Hees

A focus of our school was to look at developing oral language of our students. Being able to articulate thoughts and ideas in free flowing conversations of learning will give students the skills necessary to help improve their reading, writing and maths.

Notes were taken and next steps were made for teaching practice

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Kids Sing Competition

These pictures show Room 5 and 8 competing in the annual 'Kids Sing' competition. This was a great opportunity for students of Room 5 to build relationships with each other as they strive towards a common goal.

It was optional to enter the competition and another teacher and I entered our students as the students showed an interest, especially our Pacifika and Maori students. As a result we named our choir 'Pasaega' (the Samoan word for sing).

The hard work paid off on the night as the students won a gold medal and the trophy for best song.



A rusty dress rehearsal.