Kia ora whanau
Regardless of all else that has been included in this newsletter - much of which was drafted last week...... it pales in importance as we think about the enormous challenges that are ahead for Brianna aged 6 years (from Papakainga 8) who in recent days has been diagnosed with kidney cancer. Our love, thoughts and support are with her and her family, as Brianna faces a tough treatment plan and surgery, and her whanau support her through this harrowing time.
On the 13th February the teachers appreciated the opportunity to meet with many of you to give a general overview of how 'learning programmes work' in the various papakāinga'. As you would expect there are variables as each teacher sets out to best cater for the tamariki in a particular class, however for the most part there are also strong similarities about the way curriculum needs are met. As a school, we are guided not only by a national curriculum (NZC 2010); also the local focuses gathered from parent surveys, board of trustee consultations and student interests, are all incorporated into the mandated curriculum areas, principles and values. We have also developed a consistent approach and 'language' to use for much of what happens.
Learning in literacy and mathematics is predominantly scheduled in the early hours of a school day although the children will utilise literacy and maths skills in all dimensions of their learning throughout the day, and beyond. We want children to understand the connectedness between learning in school, and living and learning beyond their kura. Physical activity is part of every day yet structured physical education curriculum work might only be scheduled 2 or 3 times a week.
For those less familiar with the content of the NZC you can get more information at https://parents.education.govt.nz/ Here you will find a range of topics including the curriculum where you will see that there are eight learning areas (English, Maths, Social Sciences, Science, PE & Health, Technology, The Arts, Digital Technologies), values, principles and key competencies.
The key competencies are the 'threads' that interweave through everything we do. These competencies are the pillars of the NZC. Relating to others, Participating and contributing, Managing Self, Thinking & Using language, symbols and texts are the essence of living and learning, and the children learn through deliberate teaching how these apply to their work and play, and why they are so important.
Of course, the challenge is making all this engaging, meaningful and purposeful - this is the our responsibility - teachers and parents. No pressure of course!! yet it is important that our young people value and understand that 'school' isn't just a place you come from 9 - 3 p.m, nor what happens here is confined to this specific place. Equally as important, is that the support, encouragement and values you nurture beyond school are able to be connected with, and to school life.
Just as our communities are diverse where there are individual differences and multiple ways of doing things, the principles and values of the NZC are universal to individuals and different groups. At Ōpoho School the values of...."being kind, being responsible and being the best you can be" provide the framework that can be understood by all ages.
The overall focus of the first term is about building relationships and establishing routines for learning. When these foundations are secure, then the opportunities for effective learning are stronger.
Snippet about Curriculum
Learning in maths has changed since you and I were at school. If we were fortunate we had teachers and family that inspired us to enjoy maths, understood its connectedness to almost everything we do, and to be inquisitive problem solvers. For many, maths was limited to rote learning about set methods to solve particular problems, were convinced that calculating quickly was important and advantageous, and was about doing exercises from a text book where the neatness of our maths book often drew more endorsements from the teacher than the actual maths work. Sometimes the attitudes (and myths) about maths impacted how we viewed maths too - as an example - 'Boys are naturally better at maths than girls'; 'the faster you could problem solve the better you were considered to be at maths' and if a family member hadn't succeeded at, or liked maths the following proclamation ofter resounded "It doesn't surprise me that you aren't good at maths - I was never any good at it at school either".
With the benefit of research we now know that no one gender is designed to be better at maths, that speed is unrelated to success and that with a positive attitude, good skills and strategies, success in maths is open to everyone.
At Ōpoho School, there are two elements to learning in maths - learning number knowledge and learning strategic actions for problem solving. Teachers structure learning in maths to cater for both.
Each child has an individual plan to progressively learn the required number knowledge in an appropriate sequenced way. You can help your child with this too. Senior class students can access their 'knowledge ladders' via their google classroom account.
Rich authentic problem solving strategies are taught and practiced...... and now it is encouraged and expected that children will have multiple ways to solve problems. Progressively, we want problem solvers to be able to decide which is the most effective strategy to use for any given problem but this doesn't happen initially. Often children are able to use a particular strategy in one situation and sometimes revert to a less efficient strategy in another. Using carefully and specifically structured questions the teacher invites learners to explain their thinking and actions. Children are also coached to have 'maths conversations' that elicit understandings and patterns that inform and increase the complexity of their mathematical thinking.
Tania Henderson as Lead Teacher of Mathematics inspires our team to continually read widely about the current research and trends about teaching and learning in maths. This is a TED talk that you might find interesting and useful
https://www.ted.com/talks/dan_finkel_5_ways_to_share_math_with_kids?language=en
If there is something you would like to know more about related to learning in maths, please ask your child's teacher.
2020 Opoho School Information Booklet
The 2020 Information Booklet is now on the new website. Special thanks for Sándor Tóth for his hours of work to revamp the website and give it the much needed facelift. Go to http://www.opoho.school.nz and view for yourselves.
Newsletters and Information evenings - what would you value? If you have suggestions of topics you would appreciate either for newsletters or for parent information evenings, please send me an email at principal@opoho.school.nz
A thought to ponder....... ''Love and kindness are never wasted'
Nga mihi nui
Jenny Clarke (Tumuaki/Principal)
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Digital Citizenship
Every child (and family) is requested to complete a Digital Citizenship agreement that sets out the expectations for working at school using digital devices and accessing the internet. This agreement is required before a child can use these tools at school.
Far from this being about only using devices and accessing the internet, it is also about how we want and hope young people will 'behave' in the digital world that is so much part of the way things work now. We want those values of being kind, being responsible and being the best they can be to underpin everything they do in a digital environment too.
https://www.netsafe.org.nz/online-safety-for-parents/
Updating your Details
Tomorrow your child is bringing home a template that asks you to record your address, phone number and email address. This makes it easy for us to cross check the information we currently have in our data base.
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Whakataukī from tamariki in Papakāinga Rua...............
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Social Skills Focus for Term 1 2020......
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Wise words from Wilson.......
"There are no quotas on kindness. The world can never have too much"
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Items to Action
Planning ahead......
Plan for the Teacher Only day to be held on the 6th March 2020 when the teachers are joining kaiako and tumuaki of 16 kura for an evening (5th March) and a day of knowledge gathering about our local history at Otakou Marae, Toitū and Otago museums.
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Dates to Remember:
24 - 28th February Walk 'n' Wheel Week
28th February - Junior DIscovery
4 March PTA Meeting (postponed from 26 February 2020)
6 March - Teacher Only Day; School closed for instruction
9 March - Whole School Assembly at 2.15 p.m.
13 March - Senior Discovery
17 March - Board of Trustees Meeting 7 p.m.
23rd March Otago Anniversary Day - School Closed
31st March - 9 April Swimming for all classes (details at a later date)
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School Notices
Absences
A reminder that if your child arrives at school after 9am, please have them report in to the school office. When you child is absent from school, the school office needs to be advised. You can ring the school on 03 4738 019 and leave a message or email office@opoho.school.nz. Unfortunately our school mobile phone is not working and we will advise when we have a new mobile phone.
Music Lessons
If any families want to enrol their children for TooT, violin or guitar lessons this year, please email Sara at kelpiebrown@gmail.com. There is also one space for cello if anyone is interested in this.
Sport Subs
A reminder that if your child is playing Tennis or Futsal these subs were due to be paid by Monday 24 February.
PTA Notices:
A PTA meeting is to be held at Filadelfio's on 4th March at 7.30 p.m. Come along and join other parents to plan some social events for our school community and discuss some fund raising options for this year. It is a great way to get to know others in our school community and you can be involved as little or as much as you can.
Community Notices
Request to borrow:
Piano Barrow
At school, we want to move a piano from one classroom to another. If you have a piano barrow that you would be willing to lend us, please contact Jenny or Helen on 4738 019. Thank you.
Bassinet
We are in search of a great, used condition bassinet or co-sleeper to borrow or buy. We would also need it delivered to our home in North Dunedin. If you have one, or know someone who does, please get in touch with Emily by email: mooniebop@gmail.com
Opoho Keas and Cubs
Come along to Keas or Cubs!
Keas (ages 5 1/2 - 7) now at a new time of 4pm-5pm Tuesdays with leaders Stacey and Bronwyn.
Cubs (ages 8-10) on Thursdays 6pm - 7.30pm with leaders Amber, Shane, and Bryce.
Learn outdoors and camping skills, earn badges, have fun.
More info on www.scouts.org.nz, email opoho@group.scouts.nz, or have a chat to Stacey (Ben and Andrew's mum) at school drop-off or pick-up :-)
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Magic Kids Club
After School Care is provided by Magic Kids Club and can be contacted at the following numbers:
Tracy Administration Leader 022 466 5227
Or Bridgette Business Leader 022 466 5226
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