Learning to Learn

This week I have enjoyed an amazing time at ULearn.  This conference has international speakers and presenters from all around New Zealand.  The three days were a great opportunity to learn, create new ideas and share with others.  A range of speakers inspired me and one of the common threads that kept resonating with me was the importance of our school's vision-  Educating Lifelong Learners.  Schools need to focus on ensuring that their students are learning how to learn.  Our seven dimensions of our learner play this out in some detail-  however I am now even more committed to focussing on giving our students as many opportunities to practice the skills of goal setting, reflection, questioning etc...... these are the dispositions and values that are students are going to need for success in their lives.  The video below, whilst obviously funny, makes some points that are hard to ignore.....
Another major point that I took away from the days was the need to let our students make mistakes, learn from them, reflect and polish (make improvements).


Thanks to Amanda from Summerland School for sharing this video with us.

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.