Paper 4 Trees

On Friday we had a visit from David Ayers, Mayor of the Waimakariri District who helped us plant the new grasses we received as part of the 'Paper 4 Trees' recycling scheme.  Our 'Eco' team has worked hard over the last 18 months to promote recycling and reduction of waste so we really appreciated our visit and the new grasses that we have planted around the caretakers shed.  The Eco-Warriors took pride in showing off our new gardens and worm farm too.  Well done to our 'Eco' team and all students, staff and parents who have helped us out.

'A Waste of Time' Show

Yesterday's learning celebration by the senior school, 'A Waste of Time' was anything but that!  The students did brilliantly to create some fantastic wearable art from recycled products and at the same time spread a valuable message about waste in our community.  I thought the show was a great example of students 'learning through action'.  This involved them identifying the learning through their inquiry rubrics (a visual of what the learning looks like) and then engaging in an ongoing, authentic set of tasks that they then shared with others in a purposeful way.  Well done to the students and staff involved.

Here is a collection of the outfits and the really important message delivered at the end of the show.

Science Professional Learning

Last week the staff had a brilliant afternoon and evening with Warren Bruce, a local science expert and teacher educator.  The session was packed with lots of practical investigations and explored the 'Nature of Science'.  The nature of science is the overarching and unifying strand in the New Zealand science curriculum document.  

The nature of science as a way of thinking refers to ‘thinking with a particular lens’ – just as the nature of history would be thinking through a historical lens. This particular way of thinking is underpinned by certain values and characteristics (such as in science, creativity, curiosity, attempts to reduce bias and empiricism).  

Next term all students will participate in a range of 'hands-on' science activities to develop their knowledge of scientific thinking. Skills such as creativity, making careful observations, being curious, being honest when communicating and asking questions as a result of an event are just some of the skills we will aim to develop.  I am sure you will agree that these are things that can be applied in any context, not just a science one hence our belief that this is such an important learning area.

Here are a few pictures of our teachers as scientists!

My Story App

Room 4 have been doing some great writing, nothing unusual about that of course but last week they decided to share their stories by using the 'My Story' app on our iPads.  Enjoy reading and listening to Scott's  story on 'Polly Pirate'.

Polly Pirate