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!!!