Term 1, Week 10 — School news, upcoming dates and notices
Upcoming Events
| Otago Problem Solving - Part 1 (Year 7-8) | Thu, 5 Apr |
| House T-shirt Day | Fri, 6 Apr |
| PTA Meeting (AGM) | Mon, 9 Apr, 7:00pm |
| Kohi Beach Trip (Year 1) | Tue, 10 Apr |
| Student Achievement Discussions | Wed, 11 Apr, 3:00pm |
| Student Achievement Discussions - No School in the afternoon | Thu, 12 Apr, 12:55pm |
| Last day of Term 1 | Fri, 13 Apr |
| Assembly | Fri, 13 Apr, 1:45pm |
| Term 2 Begins | Mon, 30 Apr |
| Eastern Zone Orienteering (Year 7-8) | Tue, 1 May |
| Sailing (Year 6) | Wed, 2 May |
| Eastern Zone Orienteering - Rain Day (Year 7-8) | Thu, 3 May |
| Immunisation - Pre talk | Thu, 3 May |
| Assembly | Fri, 4 May, 1:45pm |
| Zoo Trip (Year 6) | Mon, 7 May |
A Message from the Principal
Student Achievement Discussions
Our Student Achievement Discussions are becoming more student led. The discussion is run by the student for his or her parents, entirely focused on the student’s recent learning. During the discussion the student presents work in different curriculum areas and the progress made to date. Kohimarama School is focusing on improving student agency and achievement. Through this development, our experiences confirm all the research we have read — developing students’ ability to talk about their learning and their progress makes a positive difference to the learner and their achievement!
What the research says – Professor John Hattie (formerly University of Auckland) recently published a revised list of the most effective influences on student achievement which identifies student self-reporting as one of the most significant indicators linked to raise student achievement.
Two other international researchers, Black & Wiliam, further comment, “the process of students reflecting on their learning, through effective questioning that promotes the articulation of student thinking, is integral to classroom assessment practices that enhance student learning”.
‘If the focus is to be kept on learning, and the ownership of the learning with the child, then the best person to talk about the learning is the learner’… ‘Not only is the student the best person to tell their parents what they have learnt, but if we believe students build their knowledge by communicating what they know, then providing an opportunity for the students to tell their family what they know can significantly assist with that learning.’ Absolum, (2006)
Research also shows parental involvement in schools and classrooms has a positive impact on children’s learning (Bastiani; Epstein).
In helping to strengthen the partnership between the learner, the teacher and the parent, we believe student led discussions promote ways that learning can be supported at home. This is a key goal within the New Zealand Curriculum.
Please make sure that you have signed up to the Student Achievement Discussion for your child (these will happen on Wednesday 11th and Thursday 12th April. Late night Thursday).
Shaping the Future of Assessment and Reporting
During Term 2, we would like to invite you to be a part of ‘Shaping the Future of Assessment and Reporting’ discussions. The purpose will be to work with you to ensure that the students are able to benefit from up to date, real time assessment information that will inform the next learning steps for each student. At present we are using the same tools and processes that the school has had in place in 2017. Please look out for the dates for our discussions which will be advertised in Term 2. These will centre on the above and begin to explore the SchoolTalk tool and how we can make learning accessible to students, parents and teachers in a real time, 24/7 way.
Year 7 and 8 Students Shine
I have been impressed with the high standards being achieved by our Year 7 and 8 students. After your input last year (Shaping the Future of Year 7 and 8) and the tremendous work by staff, the learning being undertaken by our students has resulted in essays of a high calibre for this year group being completed on Shakespeare’s Macbeth.
Further, the opportunities to expand the learning are also evident in the enrichment programmes. One such example is the photography group. The range of skills learnt and used by the students supported high quality work. You will enjoy the wonderful images created by our students.
> View a selection of the photography
Paul Engles
The Kohimarama Way – Commitment
The real value of setting goals is not the recognition or reward, it’s the person we become by finding the discipline, courage and commitment to achieve them.
News
Picking Up and Dropping off Children
Please do not use the main driveway for picking up and dropping your children off, before or after school. This is a safety issue, as children use these gates to enter and exit the school. The mobility carpark should only be used by mobility cardholders. The carparks by the office are for staff and sickbay/emergency pick ups.
Weekly Results
House Points: Term 1, Week 10
Congratulations to Colenso for being the Week 9 winners!
House Points for the Fortnight:
- 1st Colenso
- 2nd Atkin
- 3rd Selwyn
- 4th Patteson
Total House Points as at 03 April
- Atkin: 4499
- Colenso: 5257
- Patteson: 3871
- Selwyn: 3681
Class Certificates
Congratulations to these outstanding students:
- Room 1 – Madison A
- Room 2 – Harry H
- Room 4 – James B
- Room 5 – Enrico L-S
- Room 6 – Joshua C
- Room 7 – Zoe M
- Room 8 – Esmay O
- Room 9 – Isabel O
- Room 10 – Ariana M
- Room 11 – Isabella E
- Room 12 – Iksimmar S
- Room 13 – Aura H
- Room 14 – Camryn W
- Room 15 – Freddie B
- Room 16 – Layla D
- Room 17 – Dheer L
- Room 19 – Maddison S, Maia Z
- Room 20 – Alexia M
- Room 21 – Daniel S
- Room 22 – Beau U
- Room 23 – Emily C
Caught Being Good – “Greenies”
Congratulations to all our students who are doing the ‘right thing’ during our break times, you rock. Our lucky winners this week are:
- Juliette Rm 2 for Responsibility Patteson
- Isla Rm 14 for Reliability Patteson
- Matthew Rm 14 for Reliability Patteson
- Harley Rm 17 for Compassion Selwyn
Community Notices
Holiday Programme Year 0 to 6
Kohimarama Presbyterian Church
34 Kohimarama Rd
Thursday 26th & Friday 27th April 2018
Full day 9.00am – 4.00pm $35
Half-day (morning session) 9.00am – 12.00pm $20
Prior enrolment is absolutely essential
Email kohipres@xtra.co.nz for an enrolment form
GYM CLUB – Performance Gymnastics
Skill development, strength building, tumbling training, flexibility, mental concentration
Fantastic coaches and equipment
Register on the www.GYMclub.co.nz website today!
Our Term 2 Class starts Tuesday the 8th May at 3.15pm in the school hall. Cost $100.
www.GYMclub.co.nz , 0800 273368