Friday, December 18, 2009

Events centre link

http://www.mpdc.govt.nz/news-a-events/have-your-say.html#StanleyAve


If you wish to make an online submission follow this link here.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

End of Year Picnic

Over the next few weeks I intend to 'catch up' with the events of the last few weeks.  It has been a little hectic to say the least!!

Today the whole school enjoyed a trip to WaterWorld at Te Rapa.  It was a wonderful day designed to celebrate a year of learning and fun.  It was great to see students from year 0-8 enjoy time together.  Thanks to the large amount of helpers who made the day so much fun!



Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Waikato Full Primary Athletics

Yesterday I had the pleasure of accompanying twelve Stanley Avenue Students to an athletics meet held at Porritt Stadium in Hamilton. Over 40 schools from the greater Waikato region brought athletes to participate. Each of our students represented the School will talent and pride. 2009 saw some amazing results. Our students received three of the top four trophies with Meg Skilton, Taine Sweeney and Kerrod De Boer winning top overall athlete in their age groups.
Taine Sweeney- 1st 800m and 1500m
Meg Skilton- 1st 200m, 800m, 3rd Long Jump, 3rd Shot-put
Kerrod De Boer- 1st Long Jump, 2nd 100m, 2nd 200m
Campbell Millward- 1st 200m
Maddie White- 4th 1500m, 4th 800m


Stanley Avenue School went on to win the top overall school at the event. Meg set a record for the 800m and Kerrod a record in the long jump.

Sunday, November 8, 2009

National Standards

This is an interesting interview with John Hattie. He is being credited with the research that has driven the governments push toward national standards. This revealing talk asks us to think carefully so that we learn from other countries mistakes.

Friday, October 23, 2009

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Stanley Avenue School Mural

During the course of this year the School has benefitted from our special group of year seven and eights.  These students have been committed to making a difference within our School.  A leadership camp at the beginning of the year led to a range of electives being formed. 

Mrs Hayes facilitated the group, asking questions, prompting and guiding the sutdents.  This involved wriitng letters to sponsors, generating ideas, through to the creation of an amazing mural. 

Yesterday we unveiled the mural.  Each student spoke briefly about the mural, and what it meant to them.  Thank you to Mrs Hayes, the students and the sponsors for making this dream a reality. 





Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Learning to change



An interesting video that was played during the introduction of our staff meeting this week.  Stanley Avenue School is investigating the benefits of a learning management system (website that can be used by learners, parents and teachers) and the use of mobile computers to enhance learning. What do you think of the video? Comments are welcomed!

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Waikato Full Primary Cross Country

On Wednesday Stanley Avenue School sent a team of ten to the Waikato Full Primary Cross Country Competition. The results, like the weather were stunning. Stanley Avenue School students took out three of the four individual trophies with Meg Skilton, Taine Sweeney and Maddie White winning their year level. These results were backed up by an outstanding run by Campbell Millward (who came third), Ashley Haddon (13th), Luke Jerkovich (19th) and solid team performances from Maya, Christian and Carlos.


These are results to be very proud of as each race had up to 100 competitors from Schools from all over the Waikato region. Well Done!


Friday, September 4, 2009

Enviro Schools progress

Things are moving quickly with the class gardens. During the last few weeks Mr Hadden has come in and helped us with building the gardens. As this has happened the other classes has been deciding what they would like to plant in the garden. As each class has chosen their vegetables, it is going to be their class responsibility to look after their vege. Each class has 14 little pots filled with their vege. Room 1 is growing radishes, Room 2 is growing cherry tomatoes, Room 3 is growing beans, Room 4 is growing peas, Room 5 has carrots,Room 6 is growing tomatoes ,Room 7 is growing cucumbers, Room 8 is growing corn, Room 9 is growing capsicums and room 10 is growing celery.


Sunday, August 23, 2009

BEST seminar

Last weekend Lisa, Kerry and Kevin presented at the BEST seminar in Rotorua. This seminar looks at innovative ideas in teaching and learning. Over the past year this blog has highlighted many of the innovations that have sprung from the Leadership camp held in March. Lisa's presentation concentrated on how we have encouraged our senior school to make a difference to our School and community.

Kevin and Kerry's presentation concentrated on their journey in using Web 2.0 technologies to enhance the teaching and learning opportunities for their students. I have included their presentation with their permission.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Friday, August 7, 2009

Enviro Schools update


Edible Gardens
The Enviroschool Group are pleased to report that we have been kindly donated some timber and labour from Aaron Haddon and Bunnings for our Edible Gardens project.

The group have been busy designing what these gardens will look like, and interviewing classes about what they would like to plant in their gardens.

We are hoping to get the project underway next week.
We are still looking for donations of the following...
{ Newspaper
{ Tyres
{ Compost
{ Potting Mix
{ Topsoil
{ Scoria or Small Rocks
(We are able to arrange pick up of any of these items.)

Thank you for reading this notice. The group looks forward to hearing from you, so please let the school office (or Mrs Horan) know if you can help us.
Enviroschool Group

Here are some photos of an Edible Gardens Project in another school and a Sketch-up of our proposed gardens.





Winter Olympics- From the Team

Last week our team of 35, Year 7 and 8 students travelled to Totara Springs in Matamata to take part in a four day Sports Camp - "Winter Olympics". The camp involved 8 teams from full primary schools competing in a range of sports from major codes such as Netball and Rugby to minor sports such as Darts and Indoor Bowls.

Stanley Avenue School had a very successful week with outstanding results... We came home with 12 trophies and managed to defend our title of Overall Winning School. We were winners in Rugby, Netball, Boys Basketball, Girls Basketball, Caged Soccer, Indoor Bowls, Kayaking, Cross Country, Indoor Hockey and Indoor Soccer. We were runners up in Swimming, Hockey, Draughts and Athletics.

Once again our Cross Country runners showed a great deal of class with team members coming in 1st to 4th. Taine Sweeney followed in his brother Kurt’s footsteps taking out the race. Taine also went on to win Overall Outstanding Athlete of the camp which means he was noticed and nominated by teachers from all schools attending. This is an amazing feat considering Taine is a Year 7 student. We are very proud of Taine and his achievement.

In addition to the sporting trophies, we were also thrilled to win the Cheer Trophy this year. The team worked really hard last term to create a professional and effective cheer which they performed superbly on the night. Special thanks to Lisa Cavanagh who worked alongside the team on the cheer and for all the time and effort she has put into Winter Olympics teams over the past 8 years.

Throughout the week we learnt a lot about self management, teamwork, sportsmanship and team spirit. We played our hearts out and gave everything 100% both on and off the field. Mrs Horan and Mr Rae were overwhelmed by the good behaviour, positive attitude and maturity of our team members. We believe that it is what contributed to their great success, resulting in us winning the overall trophy for the second year running.

We would like to thank Rochelle Forrest and Dan de Boer (Camp Mum and Dad for the week) as well as those who supported us through our fundraising, by coaching our teams and by coming to encourage us on the sidelines.

You can find full results, a photo slideshow of our week and a video of the Stanley Ave cheer on Room 2’s Wikispace Page…
www.room2stanleyave,wikispaces.com

Bridging the home/school gap

New Entrant Pack for Stanley Avenue School

Last weekend the Herald ran an article titled ‘Kids lack basics on first day at school.’

The article stated that many 5-year-olds are starting school unable to count or complete the alphabet, despite years of pre-school education. It also mentions that students do not know the difference between a letter and a number and some do not know how to hold a pencil.

Staff at Stanley Avenue School have been aware of this trend, and have been working with members of the PTA investigating ways to bridge the gap between home and school.

Next week we will be handing out our first new entrant pack to prospective parents. This pack includes a book bag sponsored by the PTA, a notebook, exercise book, pencil and eraser sponsored by Piako Stationery Suppliers, a lovely book for parents to read with their child, an alphabet card, a guide for forming letters and holding a pencil and a number line. Included in the pack is a new entrant booklet which gives guidance for parents on what to expect at Stanley Avenue School.

The School will monitor its start dates for children and the delivery of the pack will be organised approximately six months before your child starts school.

Monday, August 3, 2009

Winter Olympics 2009!

WINTER OLYMPICS 2009
Last week I visited the Stanley Avenue Winter Olympic Team over two days of their week long camp.  During that time I was amazed at the teamwork, support, care, enthusiasm and pride for the School that all displayed. 
This week was the culmination of many months practice, fundraising and organisation from the 35 students, teachers and parents involved. 
For the second year in a row Stanley Avenue won the overall school!!  Over the next week I will post some photos and video of this amazing achievement.  Well Done Team.  You have made us all so proud!  Whaia Kia U-  Strive to succeed!!!

Friday, July 17, 2009

TE AROHA COMMUNITY SPORT & EVENTS CENTRE


THE PROPOSAL

For many, many years people in the Te Aroha community have dreamed and talked and speculated about having a sport and events facility big enough to accommodate a full-size basketball and indoor netball court which Te Aroha doesn’t currently have. Imagine an indoor facility for sport – netball, basketball, volleyball, gymnastics, badminton, roller hockey … in our backyard !

Now we have an opportunity to make this happen.

Stanley Avenue School has been granted $400,000 towards ‘non-teaching space’ by the Ministry of Education. After due consideration the school Board of Trustees has decided it would like to see the funding go towards a full-size indoor court community sport and events facility that would benefit all of Te Aroha. The only stipulation by the Ministry is that the facility be built on the school grounds.

The proposal is to build the community sport and events centre alongside Stanley Ave’s existing sports turf at the front of the school so that it is easily accessible for community use, and has car-parking already available.

To do this, the school plans to shift its existing multi-purpose hall and the existing adventure playground. A big project, but with great potential for our town.

To build a full-size indoor court community sport and events centre in Te Aroha, based at Stanley Ave School, to accommodate and foster indoor sport and community events for all our youth.

OBJECTIVE

The proposed sport and events facility building will measure around 35m x 21m, with the addition of the school’s existing multi-purpose hall alongside it to provide toilet, kitchen and administration facilities.

While the $400,000 grant from the Ministry of Education is a substantial amount of money, initial estimates suggest around $1 million will be required to realize the dream of a full-size indoor court community facility.

One school cannot do this alone. We are now seeking community support for what will be a community resource. We want it to be an asset for the town, for all Te Aroha youth of both today and tomorrow.

Based on the guesstimate of $1 million, Stanley Ave School believes it can fund half of the project - around $500,000 - which includes the Ministry of Education grant together with $100,000 of its own school funds. In addition the school has provided for relocation of its Multi-purpose Room and junior school playground which it will fund from its own property budget.

That leaves around $500,000 that needs to be raised in the community.

We are hoping the Matamata-Piako District Council will contribute towards that shortfall.

But we will also need financial support from community groups, businesses, schools, corporates, charitable organizations, and individuals to make the dream a reality. We also plan to start a community fundraising drive.

Every bit will help.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT

We are seeking community support NOW. You can either:

􀂃 Write a personalized letter of support;

􀂃 Sign the petition currently circulating around town, or pop into Stanley Ave School and sign the petition there;

ô€‚ƒ Complete the ‘Letter of Support’ form being sent out to community groups and schools; or

ô€‚ƒ Complete the ‘Support Survey Form’ in the Piako Post issue.

The address to send all communications is: Te Aroha Community Sport & Events Centre Project, Stanley Ave School, Stanley Avenue, Te Aroha.

FUNDING OPTIONS

Your support of this project is very much appreciated. If you can contribute financially that would be EVEN BETTER …

There are a number of ways you can help, as an individual, an organization, a school, a business, a charitable group. No donation is too small – we will appreciate them all. All donations of $500 and over will be publicly recognized (unless the donor wishes to remain anonymous).

WHAT HAS HAPPENED SO FAR?

􀂃 Stanley Ave School has appointed a Project Manager who has designed some initial concept drawings showing possible locations within the school grounds.

ô€‚ƒ A sub-committee has been established, comprising representatives of the school’s Board of Trustees, Parent Teacher Association and staff. The role of the sub-committee is to establish community support for the project. If this is forthcoming, representatives from the community will be brought in as part of the sub-committee to take the project to its next stages. We want this to be a community achievement.

􀂃 An approach has been made to the Matamata-Piako District Council for funding towards the project but Council has asked for more community consultation to be carried out before it determines whether financial support will be forthcoming.

􀂃 We have now entered the community consultation phase.

Funding the Dream

ô€‚ƒ Donors of $500 will have their names listed on a ‘Donors Plaque’ inside the gymnasium;

ô€‚ƒ Donors of $1,000 will have their names engraved on a ‘Donors Brick’ inside the gymnasium;

ô€‚ƒ Donors of $2,000 will have their names engraved on two ‘Donors Bricks’ inside the gymnasium;

􀂃 Donors of $5,000 will have a highly visible sign-written sign prominently displayed inside the gymnasium;

􀂃 Donors of $10,000 will have a highly visible sign-written sign prominently displayed both inside and outside the gymnasium;

􀂃 Businesses, corporates or charitable organizations seeking NAMING RIGHTS of the gymnasium should contact the Principal at Stanley Avenue School to discuss further.

If you are able to pledge financial assistance, please complete the attached form and return to: Te Aroha Community Sport & Events Centre Project, Stanley Ave School, Stanley Avenue, Te Aroha.

TE AROHA COMMUNITY SPORT & EVENTS CENTRE

L E T T E R O F S U P P O R T

OBJECTIVE:

To build a full-size indoor court community sport and events centre in Te Aroha, based at Stanley Ave School, to accommodate and foster indoor sport and community events for all our youth.

YES, I SUPPORT THE PROPOSAL FOR A COMMUNITY SPORT AND EVENTS CENTRE IN TE AROHA

Name of Person:

Name of Organisation (if applicable):

Contact Ph:

Contact E-mail:

Postal Address:

I would use the facility for sport and / or community events (tick as appropriate)

Yes / No

If yes, please state what things you might use the centre for (e.g. basketball, floral festival, ball, gymnastics etc).

Signature:

I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO PLEDGE THE FOLLOWING ASSISTANCE: (TICK & CIRCLE AS APPLICABLE)

Financial Assistance

$50

$100

$200

$500

$1,000

$2,000

$5,000

$10,000

Other: (please state)

Assistance ‘in kind’ (please state)

I support the project but could not offer financial assistance

NO, I DO NOT SUPPORT THE PROPOSAL FOR A FULL-SIZE INDOOR COURT COMMUNITY SPORTS FACILITY IN TE AROHA AS I BELIEVE IT WOULD BE AN UNNECESSARY WASTE OF RESOURCE

Name of Person

Name of Organisation (if applicable)

Date

PLEASE RETURN TO:

Te Aroha Community Sport & Events Centre Project, Stanley Ave School, Stanley Avenue, Te Aroha

OR:

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND FOR CONSIDERING THIS PROPOSAL

Thursday, June 18, 2009

What is it you want?

Yesterdays Piako Post had an interesting article that mentioned Stanley Avenue School's submission to the council asking for them to contribute funds to ensure the gymansium becomes a community resource.  The council have asked for feedback about 'What Te Aroha wants'......  If you fill in the question below it will allow the School to provide the council opinions from our School community.


Thursday, May 21, 2009

Leadership in Action

This term, during Wednesday afternoon’s year seven and eight students have been taking part in a leadership elective. Students have been able to choose a group in work with. Options include making a difference to our environment, developing the School’s website, designing a gym for the School, taking jump jam with the junior students, selecting sports equipment for the School, working in classes to help with learning, designing a mural for the School, music on the marimba and organising fundraising opportunities. It has been wonderful to see these students so passionate about their learning and making a difference to others in the School. We look forward to sharing some of the exciting initiatives in the near future.

Saturday, May 9, 2009

Grandma McGarvey- By Brooke

Enjoy this photo story from Brooke which was shared during assembly this week.

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Consultation evening

Below is the presentation that will be shared during our consultation evening on the 12th May. Any feedback or questions?


Friday, April 24, 2009

The exciting challenges ahead

Today whilst watching the roofers work on rooms five and six I contemplated the exciting challenges of term two.  During the holidays Edtech have been busy making improvements to our School network.  This will allow teachers and students wireless access with the support from our netbooks supplied by Cyclone computers. 

Why is this exciting?

Effective teaching with ICT's can lead to:
-  Enhanced student interest, engagement and learning achievement.
-  Provide opportunity to develop true lifelong learners. 
-  Enliven Teaching practice. 
-  Support School organisation and evidence based decision making. 
-  Enhance communication between home and school. 

I am looking forward to sharing exciting developments on the impact of student learning. 

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Our environment- Learning in and out of the classroom.

This term has been an exciting term for the teachers, students and community of Stanley Avenue School. Leadership camp for the year seven and eight students (which has led to leadership initiatives), A beach trip to Waihi for the junior School which included a visit to Waihi Beach School and Bowentown, and finally a overnight camp for rooms 10, 3 and 4. This camp included a trip to a marae, top town events and a day around Te Aroha meeting with the Mayor, going to the museum, a trip on the paddleboat, visiting the fire station and the library.

Whew!!!!

All of these events link into our learning about the environment. I can't wait to see the thinking that comes from these superb events. A huge thank you to the range of people that have assisted to make this term a wonderful one.

Saturday, March 21, 2009

An interesting video.

Makes you think. Especially with the 40 hour famine on the horizon.


Thursday, March 19, 2009

Photo competition finalists






Students from year seven and eight have had the opportunity to enter a photo competition. The theme is 'How I connect with my environment'. Here are the five photos.

Exciting news!!!

Last Friday, Stanley Avenue School received some very exciting news. We received a letter from the Minister of Education Anne Tolley informing us that we have been given $396,000 to build a hall/gym. This is stunning news for the school, students and community. Over the next few weeks we will form a committee which will investigate issues such as location, facilities and visit other Schools to look at best (and worst) practice. I am hoping this group will involve PTA, BOT, staff and students.

What do we want from this facility? What is going to benefit our students?

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Community Consultation


A shared vision of the Stanley Avenue Student

In 2022 students who started this year at Stanley Avenue School will be entering the workplace or beginning university.

We can only guess as to what life will be like for them then. We cannot know for sure what knowledge our students will need to best prepare them for the future. What we do know however is that they will need to become life-long learners, able to adapt to the future changes which will inevitably have an impact on their lives.

Today a form is attached to this newsletter asking for your view on what you believe your child should know, do, be and how they should relate to others when they leave Stanley Avenue. Students have discussed this in class and filling in this sheet at home will be part of their homework for next week.

Please take the time to sit down as a family and have a chat and fill in this sheet together.

This is the first step toward creating a truly shared vision for the Stanley Avenue Student.

A group of teachers, parents and students will then summarise this information which will be shared at our first community meeting early in term two. If you would like to be part of this group please contact Heather at the office.

If you would like to read some articles about the above topic, check out the websites below.
http://stanleyave.ninehub.com/course/view.php?id=2
http://stanleyave-principal.blogspot.com/

Live Together
What skills and qualities do child(ren) need, to be able to get on with others?

Be
What do I want my child(ren) to be like when I leave Stanley Avenue School?

Do
What do my child(ren) need to be able to do as a successful learner?

Know
What do my child(ren) need to know by the time I leave Stanley Avenue School?

Swimming Sports 2009


Gala 2009


What can I say?  Community spirit, a committed hard working PTA, fun.  The School's values in action!  Thank you to the huge amount of people who made this night fantastic.  By the way, waxing is definitely over rated!!!!!!!!.............

Ronald McDonald

Last week the junior school were fortunate to be visited by Ronald McDonald. He spoke to them about staying safe on the road. He
definitely made an impact!

Friday, February 20, 2009

Fun filled days + no sleep = LEADERSHIP CAMP!

Wow!  What an amazing three days.  Day one saw 65 year 7 and 8 students climb Mount Te Aroha.  This journey, completed in three groups took from 4 hours (school gate to mountain and back) to 7 hours.  Every student achieved their goal.  Persistance, support, encouragement and large amount of perspiration!  Day two each group completed eight rotations.  These rotations concentrated on conflict resolution, team building, decision making and co operation.  The night finished with no ball rugby a swim and the inaugural quiz night.  Day three everyone was inspired by our range of guest speakers Tony Hope, Matthew Cooper and Dave Mac Calman spoke about leadership.  Powerful messages emerged from the talks:
  • Everyone has the capacity to be a leader-  You have opportunities every day.
  • Start with a dream.  Then set SMART goals along the way.
  • Life is a challenge. It is your attitude that determines how you deal with it. 
This afternoon the head boy and girl from Te Aroha college are visiting to speak.  Both Teal and Sara are ex Stanley Avenue students.  They are going to talk about their journey from Stanley Avenue to Te Aroha college and the lessons they have learnt.


Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Leadership camp 2009

Tomorrow morning I am joining year seven and eight students on a tramp to the top of Mt Te Aroha.  This is the first challenge of many facing them over the next three days.  They will be faced with co operative games, conflict resolution activities and a chance to reflect on what it means to be a leader.

On Friday we are fortunate to have a range of guests visit us to talk about what leadership means to them.  these people include Matthew Cooper, Annah Stretton,  Dave MacCalman and the head boy and girl from Te Aroha College (who are ex Stanley Avenue Students).

Students will then be given the support to create their own leadership goals and plan, and consider how their actions can impact positively on the rest of the School.

I look forward to sharing the stories and achievements from camp (and hopefully the view) from the top of the Mount Te Aroha.  Watch this space!

Monday, February 2, 2009

Learning to know, do, live together and be.

This link leads to a shortened version of UNESCO's Task Force on Education for the Twenty-first Century. In chapter four of this paper the author Jacques Delor's outlines that children of the 21st century need to be assisted in learning to know,do, live together and be. This paper forms the basis of the revised curriculum's key competencies and is very interesting reading.

What does this mean for the Stanley Avenue learner?

http://www.unesco.org/delors/fourpil.htm

The lost generation

A clever video that highlights the issues facing our student's future, and the creavity and innovation that is required to make a difference.

This video kicked off our teacher only day and set the scene as we help students prepare for their future.