Term One Learning Celebration

Yet another first ever - our foundation "Learning Celebration".  It was very exciting to see the celebration led solely by students, who, I am told, wrote the narration and put their group presentations together. It was moving to look around and see proud parents, students and teachers. What a great occasion! One father leaned over to me and said to me, "You must be really proud." He was right - I am....hugely. Not that we don't have lots to improve - we do and , actually, always will because we are on a journey - but when I think of what we have achieved, where we are going, and the empowered, learning students we are enabling, I am delighted. My highlights of the celebration included:

1. Our bicultural heritage being so strongly celebrated. Every child who spoke introduced him/herself with a mihi. There was haka, waiata-a-ringa and karakia. I know this brought tears to the eyes of more than one parent and teacher.

I would like to honour this community - parents, teachers and students - for its willingness to acknowledge the importance of NZ's bicultural heritage. While some communities have struggled to do more than pay lipservice to tikanga Maori, this community has embraced it and I have no doubt that your children will be stronger, more highly accomplished New Zealanders and participants in the global world as a result. Ka nui te mihi ki a koutou.

Thanks to Crisanna, our amazing Te Reo and Kapahaka teacher.

2. Mandarin - I loved hearing the students authentic, tonal pronunciation of mandarin. They were awesome! I saw lots of smiles by parents too. Thanks to Hong Chen (Lulu), our wonderful mandarin teacher.

3. Junior students making their own choices about which piece of art work they wanted to show and showing it off so proudly.

4. The senior students' ownership of our school and their learning as they spoke of the school development inquiries they are currently involved in.

5. Students meeting with chef and other experts and sitting around board tables having discussions.

6. Children positively supporting other children's efforts

7. The whole community's delight in Corey's accomplishments on the Xylaphone

8. The wide range of accomplishments shown.

9. Parents sitting on bean chairs and all manner of other furniture.

 10. Harakeke's ten guitars (perhaps not quite 10!) I have a band of men and all.....










11. In general, our very colourful community and school. Loved the look of the orange furniture and green and orange uniforms in our hall. Classic!

What were your highlights? Please use the comment below to share your highlight.