I go to a yoga class once or twice a week. I love it... I love the feeling of inner calm and stretched muscles. I have a favourite teacher - Jeff. He is amazing. He knows everything about anatomy... and also about a lot of other things. Yoga in his classes is a work out for the mind as well as the body. The familiarity of the classes is soothing in a routine way, and he really knows us all as students and can adjust his planning and expectations. Sometimes he is away and we have a different teacher - the structure of the class is different, we 'om' at the start instead of sitting silently, the pace changes, the expectations are higher (or lower), and the outcomes are also changed. Different muscles ache, a new pose we've never done before is introduced - and we all moan and groan (some silently, and others not) but there is always a benefit.
And so it is with our children in their classrooms. Having the same teacher for a year or two has enormous benefits. The teacher knows how the children learn best, he or she knows when to give a child a break and when to put the foot down on the accelerator, the routines and structure are familiar and comforting - kids don't have to think about it. However, when there is a change of teacher the mind is sharpened and perhaps focused in a different way. The change can be unsettling and it forces the reordering of thinking, activity and process. And in this, children always learn something they would not have learned had there not been a change.
In Term 4 we start planning class allocations for children - we are gradually introducing the concept of looping for teachers who are interested. This means children stay with their teacher for a second year. This year 2B became 3B and they have had the best time together - they have also achieved some pretty cool learning outcomes over the last 24 months! When they go to Year 4 they will experience an unsettled period - and then they will move on with their learning and friendships, being stretched in a different direction with new ways and new resources being introduced. Some will moan and groan as they get used to it, and there will be a benefit for all.
Some teachers will choose to 'loop' for 2014, some may choose a different year level all together, and others will start with a fresh group of kids - no matter what, there will be academic and social benefits for all (teachers as well as students).
06 October 2013
14 September 2013
School holidays are coming... and Fiji, here we come
You have probably read the title of this blog and thought to yourself 'It's all right for some...' And you would be well justified in that!
The Spring break starts in five days. Three teachers and I are off to the Yasawa Islands, Fiji for 7 days on Friday night - that's right, no time to waste. Come bell time on Friday Melanie Timbs, Maree Johnson, Sara Hollonds and I will be off at breakneck speed heading for the International Airport Brisbane.
We are spending a week with the Head Teacher, teachers and children at Nasomolevu Catholic Mission School in the northern Yasawas - a five hour boat ride from Nadi. Those of you who have been there will know what a beautiful place the Yasawa Islands are, and also how remote and distant they are from services as we know them in the western world.
We hope to form some lasting relationships with this little school of less than 100 children - relationships that our children at Peregian Springs will benefit from in the years to come. This is the early phases of our Twin School Project which started as a seedling idea in 2010. It's still a tiny seed idea but has the potential to bloom into something wonderful.
Many of us have links with this area stretching over years - Maree set up the school's library about 12 years ago when she worked in the Fiji Islands as part of Education Queensland International; Bridoen Schloss has spent time there as part of a mission visit; I have travelled to the area over many years since my daughter was small and have seen many Head Teachers pass though - it has been interesting to see the links emerge throughout our school as the project has grown.
This year 3L, 2M and 4G as buddy classes have spent time learning about
Fiji culture and geography. They have written letters for us to take to
the children so that we can start some communication. We have also
collected sports equipment, books and maths gear to take with us - there
is so much we only have room for togs and a sarong (and a bit of
sunscreen) in our bags!
In the future we would like to take children with us on this trip -
and maybe sponsor children and their teacher from Nasomolevu to visit
us.
Just can't wait for the holidays...
The Spring break starts in five days. Three teachers and I are off to the Yasawa Islands, Fiji for 7 days on Friday night - that's right, no time to waste. Come bell time on Friday Melanie Timbs, Maree Johnson, Sara Hollonds and I will be off at breakneck speed heading for the International Airport Brisbane.
 |
| Approaching Nasomelevu from the sea |
We are spending a week with the Head Teacher, teachers and children at Nasomolevu Catholic Mission School in the northern Yasawas - a five hour boat ride from Nadi. Those of you who have been there will know what a beautiful place the Yasawa Islands are, and also how remote and distant they are from services as we know them in the western world.
We hope to form some lasting relationships with this little school of less than 100 children - relationships that our children at Peregian Springs will benefit from in the years to come. This is the early phases of our Twin School Project which started as a seedling idea in 2010. It's still a tiny seed idea but has the potential to bloom into something wonderful.
 |
| Maree's library |
Many of us have links with this area stretching over years - Maree set up the school's library about 12 years ago when she worked in the Fiji Islands as part of Education Queensland International; Bridoen Schloss has spent time there as part of a mission visit; I have travelled to the area over many years since my daughter was small and have seen many Head Teachers pass though - it has been interesting to see the links emerge throughout our school as the project has grown.
 |
| Just as fascinated by technology as Aussie kids |
 |
| The reading material of my childhood is still used here |
 |
| School rules are still important |
Just can't wait for the holidays...
 |
| No fancy whiteboards here |
 |
| The amenities block |
23 August 2013
Reading around the universe
This morning our school was taken over by aliens, out-of-space air craft, Princess Leias, space bugs, fairies and all manner of characters not of this earth. The colour in the school was astonishing as students (and staff) swished around in glitter, bright wigs, foil, pipe cleaners, boxes and coloured capes.
It's the Assembly of the year and who would want to miss it!
Maree Johnson, our Teacher-Librarian, opened Assembly looking - and walking - like she had just exited Apollo 1. Our Reading Stars were awarded certificates and book marks. Our resident author Jacquie Christie, presented a copy of Alphabet Animals to one lucky student whose name was drawn from a raffle. The Junior Singers sang beautifully (while being conducted by Darth Vader, also known as Sofia Hobson!)
The main feature though was a story written and told by Year 6 teacher, Pete Schumacher, and illustrated during the telling by Year 4 teacher, Joel Hughes.
735 students, parents, grandparents, toddlers and other family and community members watched on as a story of colour and light, happiness and laughter, living and learning unfolded before their eyes. The finale included Year 4 teacher, Simon Thomas, singing 'Walk like a Peregian' (a take off of 'Walk like an Egyptian' - for those who weren't there). Apart from being very funny, he sang a song of our values and pride in our school - and what you have to do to 'walk' like a Peregian.
The teamwork, time and effort that went into today's Assembly cannot be underestimated - our children are so lucky to have such dedicated and talented staff who just enjoy making learning fun. (Personally, I think they just enjoy a chance to dress up!)
What on earth are we going to do next year? We've already reached out into the universe! Lucky we have 12 months to think about it...
It's the Assembly of the year and who would want to miss it!
Maree Johnson, our Teacher-Librarian, opened Assembly looking - and walking - like she had just exited Apollo 1. Our Reading Stars were awarded certificates and book marks. Our resident author Jacquie Christie, presented a copy of Alphabet Animals to one lucky student whose name was drawn from a raffle. The Junior Singers sang beautifully (while being conducted by Darth Vader, also known as Sofia Hobson!)
735 students, parents, grandparents, toddlers and other family and community members watched on as a story of colour and light, happiness and laughter, living and learning unfolded before their eyes. The finale included Year 4 teacher, Simon Thomas, singing 'Walk like a Peregian' (a take off of 'Walk like an Egyptian' - for those who weren't there). Apart from being very funny, he sang a song of our values and pride in our school - and what you have to do to 'walk' like a Peregian.
The teamwork, time and effort that went into today's Assembly cannot be underestimated - our children are so lucky to have such dedicated and talented staff who just enjoy making learning fun. (Personally, I think they just enjoy a chance to dress up!)
What on earth are we going to do next year? We've already reached out into the universe! Lucky we have 12 months to think about it...
18 August 2013
Herding cats ... and small children
There's a great You Tube clip called Herding Cats. It's actually an advertisement for EDS. As someone who loves cats, I find this clip very entertaining; however, watching it also reminds me of my job.
Every day something at work amazes me. I use the term ‘work’ lightly,
as it’s not WORK work – it’s more ‘play work’. I love my job and the
work I do.
Working with kids is rewarding, challenging, funny, and heartbreaking at times – there is never a dull moment. There is no such thing as a plan – except to go to school every day ready to influence a life.
I love working with Teachers and Teacher Aides even more. At Peregian Springs I’m blessed with the best team on the planet and together we make a difference in the lives of kids every day. It’s what gets us up in the morning; it’s what generates the energy to keep going against all odds, and it’s what keeps us together as a great team.
Herding cats? It’s exactly like trying to herd cats – 740 kids and their Teachers and Teacher Aides all learning and laughing together. So I don’t try – they don't need herding. My job is to nurture all the conditions required to help them all experiment, innovate and be happy. I do all of the things in the graphic above - except perhaps offering fish as a reward - I don't think that strategy would get me anywhere!
My version of herding consists of tweaking the culture, doing up a shoe lace in the Pick Up Zone, organising some training, drying a 6 year old's tears when he can’t find his Mum, making sure there's a capable teacher on a class when the 'real' teacher is away sick, finding the money for the latest in learning technology, teaching our PE teacher how to use his MacBook (and now he has an iPad!), considering the latest idea the Year 7 teachers have for engaging their students in learning, listening to a distressed parent, negotiating for new facilities, recruiting staff for the next year, and planning for a future that’s 20-50 years from now – a future my own daughter and all these youngsters we 'work' with every day will live in.
Tomorrow is Monday again - it's nearly time to get on my horse and see what herding cats looks like this week.
 |
| I love this (source unknown) |
Working with kids is rewarding, challenging, funny, and heartbreaking at times – there is never a dull moment. There is no such thing as a plan – except to go to school every day ready to influence a life.
I love working with Teachers and Teacher Aides even more. At Peregian Springs I’m blessed with the best team on the planet and together we make a difference in the lives of kids every day. It’s what gets us up in the morning; it’s what generates the energy to keep going against all odds, and it’s what keeps us together as a great team.
Herding cats? It’s exactly like trying to herd cats – 740 kids and their Teachers and Teacher Aides all learning and laughing together. So I don’t try – they don't need herding. My job is to nurture all the conditions required to help them all experiment, innovate and be happy. I do all of the things in the graphic above - except perhaps offering fish as a reward - I don't think that strategy would get me anywhere!
My version of herding consists of tweaking the culture, doing up a shoe lace in the Pick Up Zone, organising some training, drying a 6 year old's tears when he can’t find his Mum, making sure there's a capable teacher on a class when the 'real' teacher is away sick, finding the money for the latest in learning technology, teaching our PE teacher how to use his MacBook (and now he has an iPad!), considering the latest idea the Year 7 teachers have for engaging their students in learning, listening to a distressed parent, negotiating for new facilities, recruiting staff for the next year, and planning for a future that’s 20-50 years from now – a future my own daughter and all these youngsters we 'work' with every day will live in.
Tomorrow is Monday again - it's nearly time to get on my horse and see what herding cats looks like this week.
03 August 2013
A school song
Last week four Year 5 girls arrived from their classroom to share some writing - they had been challenged with the task of writing a school song or poem. I was so impressed with all of them - it was clear they knew our vision statement and school values; they managed to incorporate the school wide practices that ensure our school is a safe and enjoyable place for everyone; their verses were catchy; and they have captured our school ethos beautifully! I promised them I would put them in the newsletter - one a week for a few weeks, and I couldn't resist putting this one here. I love the bit about effort being higher than Mt Kilimanjaro!My Golden School
Peregian, Peregian, our education starts here.
Peregian, Peregian, our bad habits disappear.
Our efforts are higher than Mt. Kilimanjaro,
and everyday we learn for today and for tomorrow.
Chorus
Peregian Springs State School,
In you we learn how to play
With ground rules,
And amazing tools,
My Golden School,
You will always make my day.
Smiling faces are walking around,
Many teachers are pleased.
Peregian, Peregian,
You exceed the standards with ease.
Our efforts are higher than Mt. Kilimanjaro,
and everyday we learn for today and for tomorrow.
You are the newest,
the best in Peregian Springs.
I think you are amazing.
We all know that you are these things.
Our efforts are higher than Mt. Kilimanjaro,
and everyday we learn for today and for tomorrow.
Chorus x 2
Peregian, Peregian,
My Golden School,
Peregian, Peregian,
My Golden School,
Peregian Springs State School.
(Faith)
I asked is there music? and they looked a little horrified and said 'We'll just read them'.
Well done, girls!
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