Supporting Olivia

Sometimes events just make you think about the really important things in life.....

Last week a lovely girl at Stanley Avenue School was diagnosed with leukaemia. Instead of joining the school a the end of year celebration at the Te Rapa Pools and being given her end of year report, she was being treated at Starship Hospital in Auckland....

Over the last few days I have been amazed by the people of Te Aroha.  The local college Year 10's donating $150, the students of Stanley Ave raising $300 with a mufti day and a family forgoing Christmas presents to make an amazing donation.

This Sunday we are holding a disco at Stanley Avenue School to raise more $$$ More details to follow!  See you there! There is even a rumour that the male staff of Stanley Ave will wax there legs (for a price...)

Awards assembly

Today we celebrated an awesome year at Stanley Ave and acknowledged the amazing Year Eights of 2014.  Mr Byers and I highlighted the cultural, sporting, academic and service achievements throughout the year and classroom teachers handed out special achievement and Stanley Avenue Learner awards.  We also handed out the schools chess and tennis trophies, as well as acknowledging the Waikato Full Primary athletics team that won the top school trophy at the recent meet.  

We were treated to great performances by the kapa haka group, kids for kids choir, junior school and guitar group.  

An amazing year of learning and fun.  

Thames Valley Athletics Meet

Today Stanley Avenue School and the Te Aroha Athletics Club hosted the Thames Valley Athletics Day.  With students from eight clusters it was an action- packed day.  It has amazing to see the level of commitment and talent displayed by the athletes.  Well Done! 

Alphabet Aerobics

At last weeks assembly room three shared their Alphabet aerobics, inspired by a performance by Daniel Radcliffe.  An awesome array of alphabet acting!!!

Coding with kids!

Since being inspired by the engagement of Mr Spicers Lego Mindstorm robotics group I have been wondering what a comprehensive coding programme would look like across the school.  A recent article in stuff also provided a challenge for schools.

http://i.stuff.co.nz/technology/digital-living/63118089/Why-NZ-kids-should-learn-to-code

A number of our students are increasingly  turning to more creative ways of demonstrating their learning.  The use of Scratch, Minecraft and Tinkercad is now part of our classroom programme.  

I have been experimenting with an app suggested by Te Aroha College teacher Troy Smith called LightBot.  It has been amazing seeing a group of year three students quickly come to grips with complex ideas.  

I would love to hear from schools that are experimenting with coding with their learners!  

School Athletics

The weather behaved itself and we were treated to an awesome day to enjoy our senior athletics sports.  Many students got into the spirit of the event dressing in house colours and supporting their peers.  We were treated to some awesome performances and effort with the house relays finishing off a successful event.  Thank you to the Te Aroha Athletics club and our parents that made the day a success!

20 Years at Stanley Avenue!!

This morning we acknowledged two very special staff members at Stanley Ave.  Nova Spencer and Christine Finucane have now been at Stanley Ave for twenty years!

We organised a surprise breakfast, inviting family members, ex staff and current staff.  We are so lucky to have two committed, hard working, talented ladies that know Stanley Ave so well.

Well Done and Thanks!!