SAS TV

It has been fantastic to see our SAS TV groups grow in confidence and skill over the last two terms.  Each week a group of students plan, video and upload an episode outlining the learning and fun taking place at Stanley Avenue School.  This requires many SAS learning dispositions and encourages students to reflect and share their learning.  Check out the link and subscribe from the schools website www.stanleyave.school.nz

SAS Kapa Haka

I was ecstatic to watch our Kapa Haka group perform this week.  Matua Rawiri and Mr Spicer have worked hard with the team over the last two terms.  The boys and girls showed talent and confidence!  Kia Kaha, Kia Maia!

Inquiry in action!

Students in room 6have been working hard researching what they bring to school for lunch and what creates rubbish what can't be recycled.  After careful planning and design they created some amazing sustinable lunchboxes!  Powerful learning in action!!

The latest TED talk from Sir Ken Robinson asks some excellent questions as usual. Ken makes such a compelling argument, delivered in an incredibly engaging way. Education should encourage children to thrive, not to fall in line. Sir Ken gives an inspirational talk which focuses on harnessing the inherent potential of all learners in the school environment.

Technology- The next steps

Over the last five years Stanley Avenue has been experimenting with a range of emerging technologies to investigate whether they enhance teaching and learning opportunities for our teachers and students.  This has seen the use of IWB's, interactive projectors, netbooks, mobile phones and recently the use of Ipod Touches and I Pads.  With all these innovations the school's LMS-  Ultranet has been the hub where students reflect on their learning and share thinking they are proud of. 

Has the price of Ipads (both full and mini) coupled with the functionality of Google Drive and a wide range of apps changed the landscape?  Recently I have been experimenting with a range of apps that used with Google Drive lead to exciting opportunites for our teachers and students. 

In term two we are experimenting with Ipads and some apps coupled with Google Drive to see if they are game changers.  Watch this Space!

School Values in Action

Respect and Support Others-  As a school value this has always been a focus at Stanley Avenue School.  During term one this year there have been many planned actions organised by school leaders modelling these values. 

It has been fantastic to see students organising lunchtime activities, supporting members of the community in ventures and making a difference in and out of Te Aroha.  An example of this is room 9's effort to 'Save the World in 5 minutes' as part of their term theme 'Our Voice is Powerful'.  This saw students collecting old cellphones for Starship Hospital, toys for the Salvation Army and promoting the conservation of power at Stanley Ave. 

Measuring the Stanley Avenue Learner

Over the last few years we have been investigating what teaching actions help support the growth of the Stanley Avenue School Learning Dimensions.  We have aligned our pedagogy with the key categories of the learner and integrate opportunites to practice using these skills, dispositions and values. 

A challenge we have been faced with is measuring the growth of these dispositions as we believe that if you value it there should be some tracking of these skills as students progress through Stanley Avenue. 

This year we have moved away from collecting whole school student voice to interviewing a random selection of students from each cohort.  Students responses are then measured against a co constructed rubric.  This is collated with student learning reflections from their sharing space on the schools LMS. 

I look forward to seeing if this technique provides us with valuable information for our learners, teachers and parents.  I also welcome any feedback, ideas or learning stories from other school's.