NEWSLETTER - Mt Cook School€¦ · NEWSLETTER Issue 6 27 May 2016 Kia Ora Talofa Kia Orana Chao...

NEWSLETTERIssue 6 27 May 2016

Kia Ora Talofa Kia Orana Chao mung quy vi Malo e lelei Aloha Olá Halo Ni Sa Bula Fakalofa atu Ni Hao Xin chào An nyong Ha se yo Assalamu

alaykum Namaste Ahalan Saleem Shalom Dia dhuit Zdravstvuyte Hej Greetings

Kia$ora$koutou,

Sandra’s$Spot$1$World$Class

This%week%I%watched%the%documentary%World$Class,%Inside'NZ'Educa.on%by%Bryan%Bruce.%Bryan%and%others%talked%about%how%important%it%is%for%our%children’s%educa<on%in%the%21st%Century%to%promote%and%nurture%crea<vity,%flexibility,%strong%interpersonal%skills,%an%inquiring%mind%and%the%ability%to%think%cri<cally.%A%system%based%on%tes<ng%and%the%rigid%thinking%that%goes%with%learning%to%get%the%correct%answer%runs%contrary%to%what%our%children%will%need%to%live%rich%fulfilling%lives%in%the%future.%Bruce%talked%about%the%importance%of%play%especially%in%the%early%years%of%school.%In%countries%such%as%Sweden%and%Finland%children%do%not%start%school%un<l%they%are%7%years%old.%Play%is%cri<cal%for%childrens’%learning.

Bruce%also%talked%about%the%importance%of%teachers%working%together%and%sharing%great%teaching%in%a%collabora<ve%not%a%compe<<ve%environment.%He%talked%about%how%cri<cal%it%is%to%have%a%high%trust%model%when%it%comes%to%our%teaching%professionals.%

Bruce%commented%on%the%fact%that%even%in%the%current%NZ%climate%schools%con<nue%to%build%many%of%the%above%capabili<es%in%children%and%are%sharing%exper<se%as%teachers%–%mentoring,%good%prac<ce,%exper<se,%commitment%to%a%quality%educa<on%for%every%child.

Our%broad%rich%curriculum%is%based%on%the%NZ%Curriculum.%The%NZ%Curriculum%was%revised%in%2007%aQer%three%years%of%extensive%input%from%and%consulta<on%with%teachers,%school%leaders,%parents,%students,%Boards%of%Trustees%to%name%a%few.%It%was%then%and%is%s<ll%considered%to%be%a%world%class%document.%

The%Vision%of%the%NZ%Curriculum%is%to%grow%Confident,%Connected,%Ac<vely%Involved,%Lifelong%Learners.%This%is%also%the%message%coming%from%Bryan%Bruce,%Pasi%Sahlberg%from%Finland,%Andreas%Schleicher%(PISA)%all%interviewed%in%the%programme.%

The%NZ%Curriculum%sets%the%direc<on%for%student%learning%in%schools.%Out%of%the%NZ%Curriculum%the%Mt%Cook%School%curriculum%was%developed%over%a%number%of%years.%

The$Vision$for$Students’$Learning$at$Mt$Cook$School$says:

Students$leaving$Mt$Cook$School$show$that$they:

are%literate,%numerate%and%able%to%communicate%and%express%themselves%confidently%in%English

have%a%sense%of%curiosity,%an%inquiring%mind,%and%the%selfXmo<va<on%and%perseverance%needed%to%keep%on%learning%and%progressing

have%the%ability%to%tackle%problems%and%resolve%issues%through%reasoned%and%fairXminded%thinking%and%ac<on

are%proud%and%knowledgeable%of%their%own%cultural%iden<ty,%and%have%the%confidence%and%sensi<vi<es%to%contribute%to%the%richness%and%diversity%of%the%New%Zealand%community.

This%vision%is%the%result%of%discussion%over%the%years%by%teachers,%children,%whanau%and%members%of%the%wider%community%on%the%ques<on%“what&do&we&want&for&our&children&by&the&3me&they&leave&Mt&Cook&School&in&year&8?”&

What&does&this&mean&for&our&students?

If%we%want%our%children%to%be%leaving%Mt%Cook%School%with%the%quali<es%stated%in%our%Vision%a%broad%rich%curriculum%for%every%child%at%Mt%Cook%School%is%impera<ve.%%It%is%fundamental%to%promo<ng%a%joy%of%learning%and%a%desire%to%con<nue%to%learn.

Every$day$we$strive$to$ensure$that$our$curriculum$at$Mt$Cook$School:

is%relevant%to%our%children%and%our%school

has%contexts%for%learning%that%are%drawn%from%our%local%environment%and%the%%% %worlds%that%our%children%experience%in%their%day%to%day%lives

connect%the%‘basics’%X%literacy%and%numeracy;%and%‘rich%learning’;%this%includes%all%%% %learning%areas,%along%with%our%values%and%the%key%competencies%that%include%% %managing%self,%rela<ng%to%others%and%par<cipa<ng%and%contribu<ng.

What$does$our$curriculum$look$like$in$the$classroom?$$We$see:

The$school’s$values%1%seen%in%how%we%work%and%relate%together

The$learning,$personal$and$social$competencies%1$learning%to%learn%and%relate

Challenge$and$enjoyment$1$as%seen%in%engagement%and%mo<va<on

Balance%1%a%balanced%range%of%learning%experiences%across%the%curriculum

Depth$1$exploring%ideas%at%a%deep%level

Inquiry$1$asking%ques<ons,%inves<ga<ng,%reflec<ng

Knowledge%1%relevant%to%building%understanding%and%ideas

PersonalisaKon%1%thinking%about%the%needs%and%capabili<es%of%individual%students

Coherence%1%building%on%connec<ons%to%previous%learning

AuthenKcity%1%learning%ac<vi<es%that%are%relevant%to%the%world%of%the%child

What$do$some$of$our$year$8$students$have$to$say$about$learning$through$inquiry$at$Mt$Cook$School?

Learning%through%inquiry%is%like%a%tree.%You%start%with%the%seed%and%plant%the%idea,%you%nourish%it%and%it%grows%and%drops%seeds%to%start%other%inquiries%1$Luka.

Learning%through%inquiry%is%more%fun.%When%you%are%learning%on%your%own%there%are%more%opportuni<es%–%when%someone%is%telling%you%stuff%your%brain%can%shut%down.%%When%you%are%inquiring%you%get%to%explore%more%areas%that%you%wouldn’t%otherwise%get%to%explore%1$Lilly&O.

Inquiry%gives%you%more%independence%and%a%longer%a_en<on%span%because%you%enjoy%what%you%are%doing%1$Joseph.

If%you%go%home%and%have%maths%homework%you%do%the%maths%homework%because%this%has%been%set%by%the%teacher,%and%that%is%your%reason.%But%when%you%are%learning%through%inquiry%which%is%your%choice,%you%become%your%own%reason%and%that%gives%you%every%reason%to%do%everything.%1$Felix&Q.

You%think%you%know%a%fact%but%you%realise%that%there%is%more%to%that%fact%once%you%start%inquiring%eg%when%I%was%studying%the%Greek%gods%I%thought%that%the%Greeks%must%be%the%only%guys%that%have%gods.%Then%I%realised%that%the%Romans%have%their%version%and%so%do%other%cultures%X%Caitlin.

When%you%are%inquiring%you%are%forced%to%learn%independently%and%this%can%help%you%later%in%life%1$Elsie.

We&will&con3nue&to&work&hard&to&develop&and&nurture&Confident,&Connected,&Ac3vely&

Involved&Lifelong&Learners&at&Mt&Cook&School

OUR$BROAD$RICH$CURRICULUM

What Is Culture?

Pekapeka%and%Kereru%classes%went%to%Te%Papa%last%week%and%looked%at%cultural%symbols%in%par<cular%the%koru%–%we%inves<gated%how%it%came%from%the%fern%frond.%We%have%been%pain<ng,%drawing%and%no<cing%koru%in%stories.

Mako%class%went%to%Te%Papa%this%week%and%looked%at%Maori%and%Pasifika%design.%%Kiwi%class%have%been%looking%at%cultural%treasures%and%things%that%are%important%to%their%families%because%they%are%important%to%their%culture.

Manaia%students%are%making%maps%of%their%country%and%on%the%map%are%building%a%picture%of%what%is%significant%to%their%culture.%

In%the%senior%school%each%student%is%inquiring%into%the%culture%of%a%country%of%their%choice%and%are%sharing%their%findings%and%making%comparisons%with%other%cultures.

In%the%middle%syndicate%we%have%started%by%exploring%what%culture%is.%Now%each%class%is%developing%open%and%closed%ques<ons%about%a%culture%that%we%are%interested%in.%We%will%be%researching%answers%to%our%ques<ons%and%then%having%opportuni<es%to%explore%lots%of%cultural%aspects%of%our%chosen%countries.%%

ElecKvesOur%elec<ve%programme%has%one%week%to%go%and%as%always%everyone%has%enjoyed%the%programme.%Children%are%all%asking%if%it%can%be%longer%next%year.%Next%newsle_er%we%will%get%our%young%people%to%comment%on%their%elec<ve.

Eco$DudesSea%Shepherd%came%to%visit%the%Eco%Dudes%on%Monday.%Sea%Shepherd%is%an%organiza<on%that%protects%the%ocean%and%all%animals%living%things%in%it.%During%the%workshop%we%learnt%about%rubbish%and%the%effect%it%has%on%the%ocean%and%the%sea%creatures.%We%designed%posters%reminding%people%to%protect%our%oceans%and%invi<ng%them%to%the%monthly%beach%clean%up%at%Evans%Bay%Beach.%Visith_p://www.seashepherd.org/nz/%to%see%our%posters%and%learn%more%about%Sea%Shepherd.

Self$Defence$for$GirlsAll%of%our%years%4,%7%and%8%girls%have%gone%through%the%Girls%Self%Defence%Programme%this%year.

The%following%are%some%comments%from%our%girls%from%all%the%age%groups:

It%teaches%girls%how%to%defend%themselves%from%uncomfortable%situa<ons%and%enables%girls%to%be%more%confident.

It%is%really%fun%and%it%builds%up%everyone’s%confidence%and%we%learn%a%lot%about%how%to%protect%ourselves%and%to%take%more%care%of%ourselves.

It%helps%girls%that%don’t%believe%in%themselves%and%boosts%confidence.

I%think%that%this%course%is%great.%It%helped%me%a%lot%I%feel%strong%and%confident.%I%know%how%to%do%things%I%never%knew%how%to%do.%Thanks%you%so%much!

I%think%this%course%is%helpful%to%girls.%I%had%fun%learning%new%steps%to%be%safe.

It%was%really%helpful%and%now%I%know%how%to%keep%myself%safe.

DIVE$INTO$A$BOOK$1$News$from$the$Library

Some%of%our%students%are%diving%into%the%Tom'Gates%series%of%books,%and%on%May%11,%six%students%went%to%Lyall%Bay%School%to%listen%to%Liz%Pichon,%the%author%of%the%series.%%Liz%shared%how%she%creates%some%of%the%characters%in%her%books,%and%then%the%audience%had%a%chance%to%create%their%own%illustra<ons.%%She%encouraged%us%to%get%going,%and%keep%going,%with%things%like%wri<ng%and%drawing,%as%that%way%we’ll%get%be_er%and%be_er.%%At%the%end%of%the%event,%we%were%able%to%get%some%of%our%library%copies%of%the%Tom%Gates%books%signed%by%the%author%herself!

Senior$FicKon$BooksJust%as%the%Public%Library%has%a%Young%Adult%sec<on,%our%School%Library%has%a%‘Senior%Fic<on’%sec<on.%%This%sec<on%is%primarily%for%Year%7%and%8%students.%%These%books%have%subject%

ma_er%more%suitable%for%older%students,%and%some<mes%contain%a%swear%word%or%two.%There%is%no%hurry%to%read%from%this%sec<on,%as%there%are%plenty%of%good%books%on%our%general%fic<on%shelves.%%If%Year%5%and%6%students%do%want%to%read%Senior%Fic<on%books,%they%need%a%parent/careXgiverXsigned%permission%slip,%available%from%Vickie%in%the%library.%%

ScholasKc$Book$ClubScholas<c%Book%Club%has%eight%issues%per%year,%two%per%term.%%Here%at%Mount%Cook,%we%distribute%each%even%numbered%issue,%i.e.%2,%4,%6%and%8.%%Scholas<c%have%been%having%all%sorts%of%problems%having%changed%their%processing%system,%so%much%so%that%they%did%not%distribute%Issue%2%last%term.%%Hopefully%they%are%back%on%track%again%and%Issue%4%will%be%available%later%this%term.

“Reading&one&book&is&like&ea3ng&one&potato&chip.”$$ $ $ $ $ $ $ 1$Diane%Duane,%So&You&Want&to&Be&Wizard

What&are&you&reading?

Wanted$1$Scrap$Paper$for$the$LibraryIf%anyone%has%spare%scrap%paper,%our%library%can%make%good%use%of%it.%%Each%lunch%<me%many%children%like%to%draw%and%create%things%using%paper.%%If%you%have%any%you%want%to%recycle,%we%would%welcome%it.

Sports$NewsNetball$The%netball%season%has%started%really%well.%The%senior%team%has%won%both%games%and%is%playing%so%well%as%a%team.

The%year%5/6%team%with%some%year%4’s,%won%their%first%game%and%were%beaten%2X1%in%their%second%game.%None%of%the%girls%in%this%team%have%ever%played%before%and%it%is%such%a%joy%to%see%the%girls%so%excited%about%a%new%sport%and%playing%so%well.

Thank%you%so%much%coaches,%managers,%parents%for%all%of%your%support.

LatenessA$really$important$reminder$–$school$starKng$Kme

School$starts$at$8:55$or$5$to$9.$We$have$a$number$of$children$who$are$regularly$late$and$are$missing$the$start$of$the$day’s$learning.

Please$have$your$children$arrive$at$school$by$8:45$or$quarter$to$nine$so$they$are$ready$to$start$the$day.$Thanks$for$your$support$with$this.

ENTERTAINMENT BOOKS 2016!ARE HERE!

An easy fundraiser for the school

Digital Membership or a Book are available again this year. Digital membership is very popular. This can be done by going online to:

www.entbook.co.nz/106r791

If you are thinking about buying please buy through Mt Cook School.

Flyer has already gone home!

The cost is $60 with $12 going to the school.

A great gift or something to use for yourself with many discounts on dining, arts/sports, shopping and travel.

Order early and receive the Advanced Order Certificate – there are only 15 of these!

A FANTASTIC FUNDRAISER FOR THE SCHOOLTELL ALL OF YOUR FRIENDS

PLEASE SUPPORT MT COOK SCHOOL

OTHER$INFORMATION

Newsle\erFor%those%of%you%who%are%new%to%Mt%Cook%School%you%will%receive%a%school%newsle_er%once%a%fortnight.%This%will%keep%you%informed%of%what%is%happening%during%the%term%and%the%year%in%syndicates%and%across%the%school.%

School$DonaKons2016%dona<ons%are%$20%for%the%year%or%$5%per%term.%As%you%will%be%aware%our%school%dona<ons%are%very%low.%As%a%board%we%have%made%the%decision%keep%the%fees%low%to%ensure%that%they%are%affordable%for%all%of%our%families.%We%also%have%families%who%offer%to%pay%more.%If%you%are%in%a%posi<on%to%pay%more%the%board%suggests%an%amount%of%up%to%$100.%The%school%would%be%very%apprecia<ve%of%any%addi<onal%funding%without%changing%our%dona<on%amount.%Thank%you%for%your%support%with%this.%Just%a%reminder%that%this%is%a%dona<on%to%the%school.

CARPARKING$–$PLEASE$DROP$OFF$ON$TORY$ST$OR$MARTIN$SQUARE$SLIP$ROADJust%a%reminder%that%drop%off%and%pick%up%needs%to%be%on%Tory%St%or%the%slip%road%from%Mar<n%Square%and%not&anywhere&in&Sages&Lane.%Thanks%for%your%support%with%this.

School$HoursSchool%begins%at%8:55am%and%finishes%at%3:00pm.%It%is%very%important%that%children%arrive%before%the%bell%goes%in%the%morning.%The%first%few%minutes%of%the%day%in%class%are%vital%for%the%seong%up%of%the%day.%Please%make%sure%that%your%child%arrives%on%<me.%We%know%that%there%is%the%occasional%emergency%but%in%general%we%expect%children%here%at%9:00am.%On%Tuesdayʼs%school%will%finish%early%at%2:55pm%for%staff%mee<ngs.%If%you%are%picking%up%your%child%at%3:00pm%please%be%punctual.%The%school%is%not%responsible%for%children%aQer%3:00pm%and%children%must%be%picked%up%on%<me.%Remember%that%there%is%AQer%School%Care%if%you%are%unable%to%pick%up%your%child%at%3:00pm.%Please%encourage%your%young%person%to%be%at%school%8:45am%each%day.

Lateness$and$AbsencesPlease%contact%the%school%if%your%child%is%going%to%be%absent%from%school.%Also,%if%your%child%is%going%to%be%late,%we%need%to%be%contacted%too.%These%procedures%are%in%place%as%a%precau<on.%%If%your%child%hasnʼt%arrived%at%school%by%9:15am%and%weʼve%not%heard%from%you,%we%will%need%to%contact%you%if%we%are%able%to.%If%your%child%arrives%late,%we%ask%that%they,%or%the%accompanying%adult,%come%to%the%office%first%so%that%we%are%aware%that%the%child%has%arrived%at%school.%Please%help%us%with%your%coXopera<on%on%this%important%safety%issue.%The%only%reason%that%your%child%should%be%away%from%school%is%if%he/she%is%ill.%For%our%children%to%get%the%best%educa<on%possible%they%need%to%be%at%school.

A_er$School$Care$–$Monday$to$Friday,$3:00pm$–$6:00pmThe%YMCA%con<nues%to%provide%AQer%School%Care%for%our%children%as%well%as%a%school%holiday%programme.%They%have%been%working%in%the%school%for%a%year%and%we%are%very%pleased%with%the%programme%that%they%are%providing.%%For%further%informa<on%you%can%contact%them%on%027%782%0794%or%pop%in%and%see%them%in%the%school.

School$LunchesCube&Bakery%con<nues%to%provide%school%lunches%this%year%on%Monday,%Wednesday,%Thursday%and%Friday.%These%can%be%ordered%before%school%in%the%office.%Children%then%come%to%the%office%at%lunch<me%to%pick%up%their%orders.%Menus%are%at%the%office.%

Sushi&Tuesday%–%Tuesday%lunch%is%sushi%that%must%be%ordered%at%the%office%by%8:45am%or%online%X%www.wrapitup.co.nz.%

Addresses$and$Phone$NumbersIf%you%have%changed%your%address%or%phone%number%recently%please%let%Briar%know.%It’s%really%important%that%we%have%accurate%informa<on.%%Thanks%a%lot%for%your%help%with%this.

School$Banking$School%banking%con<nues%this%year.%We%believe%that%it%is%really%important%for%our%children%to%have%an%understanding%of%financial%literacy%and%how%to%manage%and%think%about%money.%Too%oQen%our%kids%think%that%the%source%of%money%is%the%“hole%in%the%wall”.%

ASB%have%a%very%good%school%banking%set%up.%If%your%child%does%not%have%a%bank%account%and%you%would%like%them%to%do%so%pick%up%a%form%from%Briar%at%the%office.%For%children%to%be%filling%in%the%deposit%envelope%and%bringing%it%into%school%and%placing%in%the%box%gives%them%a%great%sense%of%where%it%all%starts%and%how%savings%work.%%School%banking%day%is%Thursdays.

BOT$(Board$of$Trustees)Congratula<ons%to%our%new%Board%of%Trustees.%We%farewelled%Melissa%Hare%this%week%who%had%been%on%the%Board%for%10%years%and%Pam%Jamieson%who%had%been%on%for%three%years.%We%have%been%so%lucky%over%the%years%to%have%a%board%that%fully%supports%the%values%of%our%school%and%is%commi_ed%to%a%quality%educa<on%for%everyone.

Phil%Hawker%Frances%FraserSue%PerryDavid%LloydJo%HendySandra%McCallum%PrincipalLliam%Carran/Simon%Depree%(Staff%Reps).%%%%%

The%next%mee<ng%is%to%be%confirmed.

DATES$FOR$THE$TERM$AND$THE$YEAR$

Important$Dates$For$Term$2Sharing%assembly%% % Thursday%2%June%X%1:30pm%June%21%% % % Matariki%breakfast%event%–%details%to%come‘What%is%culture‘%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%30%June%X%1:30pm%and%6:30pm

% musical%sharing%%%%%%%%%%%%Excellence%assembly%%% Thursday%7%Jul%X%1:30pmTerm$2$ends$ $ $ $Friday$8$July,$2pm

Important$Dates$for$2016Queens%Birthday%% %%%%%%%%%%%%%Monday%6%JuneLabour%Weekend% %%%%%%%%%%%%%Friday%21%October%X%Monday%24%October

Term$Dates$for$2016Term%2% % %%%%%%%%%%%%%Monday%2%May%–%Friday%8%JulyTerm%3% % %%%%%%%%%%%%%Monday%25%July%–%Friday%23%SeptemberTerm%4% % %%%%%%%%%%%%%Monday%10%October%–%Friday%16%December

Hei&konei&ra,

Sandra,&Nicola,&Lliam,&Julia,&Moira,&Jacinda,&Katya,&Ned,&Gina,&Sandy&B,&Kate,&Nicki,&

Frances,&Simon,&Jason,&Diane,&Stu,&Louise,&Robyn,&Diana,&Briar,&Makshud,&Nui,&Karen,&

Vickie,&Pippa,&Sarah,&Rachel,&Shenee,&Ren,&Shannon&&&Alison.

COMMUNITY$NEWS

Come to our workshop and learn different ways to support you and  your  whānau  in  every  day  life!  Caregivers  or  grandparents  raising children are of course welcome too. Light lunch provided. Please feel free to bring partners and/or children (there will be a quiet activity area for children at the back of the room).

Saturday 25 June

12pm – 2pm Presenters:

Zoe Pullman, arthritis educator, Arthritis New Zealand: will cover pain management and family communication.

Carolyn Downer, Strengthening Families Coordinator, MSD: will give an overview of support services available to families.

Atif Razvi, Physiotherapist, North City Physiotherapy: will share some ideas for getting family involved with arthritis management through activity.

Johnsonville Community Centre, 3 Frankmoore Ave, Johnsonville,

There is no charge for entry however donations are appreciated. Bookings are essential: Please call 0800 663 463 or 04 472 5670 or email zoe.pullman@arthritis.org.nz

www.arthritis.org.nz

Are you a parent with any type of arthritis?