Week 5 - Term 3 - 2019

Tē tōia, tē haumatia 

Nothing can be achieved without a plan, workforce and a way of doing things 

This whakatauki speaks to the importance of having a ‘plan of attack’. It could be used to guide conversation or lead a discussion in the planning of an event or community initiative.

Week 5  19 Ākuhata - 23 Ākuhata 13TOU - Aoraki Mt Cook - Mon 19 - Tues 20 Lilia Tarawa Visit - Mon 19 (p4) Subject Choice Afternoon - 2.30 in Gym - Mon 19 Winter Sport Ends - Wed 21 Lip Sync - Thurs 22 May Campbell Anderson Essay - Thurs 22 Basketball Ends - Fri 23 Massey & Victoria Open Days - Fri 23 Gymsports NZSS Champs - Sat 24 - Sun 25	Week 6  26 Ākuhata - 30 Ākuhata 3 Morning Briefings start this week - Mon 26 (Tues Ako teachers meet with Deans) LEF Reports due this week. Senior Progress reports Te reo Moderation PLD - Mon 26 Te Kura Language examinations - morning - Tues 27 11DRA Major Production - Wed 28 Yr 12 Women in Leadership Breakfast @UC - Wed 28 12 &13 Drama Assessments - Thurs 29 - Wed 4 Late Start - Thurs 29 UC Classics Morning - Thurs 29 13ENG 3.5 Seminar Assessments - Thurs 29 Senior Chirnside Competition (Shakespeare) - Thurs 29 National Big Sing - Wed 28 - Sun 1 Middle Leaders - Coaching and Mentoring - Thurs 29 (2 - 4pm) Restorative Practice Training Day - Fri 30 Basketball Junior SS - Sat 31 - Sun 1 Cycling Southern School 2 day - Sat 31 - Sun 1
Assembly - WED Year 10 Assembly - Gym - Camp Information Year 12 Assembly - PAC	Assembly - WED Year 9 - Gym Year 11 - PAC Year 13 Staffroom
Meeting  Staff	Meeting  Staff

Information for Staff

1. Information from the latest NZQA circular re Derived Grade Examinations

Management of school practice exams

The schools’ practice examination papers and procedures should ensure:

·         authentic, standard specific evidence covering all the criteria of the standard is collected

·         the grades submitted are consistent with the standard by being subject to a quality assurance process including:

o   critiquing of the assessment task

o    a marking process involving a verification or justification process.

Further information of these processes is available in the Derived Grade Handbook.

Derived Grade Self Review Tool

NZQA has developed a Derived Grade Self-Review Tool that schools may like to use to review their processes. The Tool can be used either before or after your school’s practice examinations by Heads of Department or the Principal’s Nominee.

The tool provides the opportunity to check that derived grade processes ensure credible grades are reported to NZQA so that  the transfer of derived grade application information and grade data to NZQA is accurate and complete communication processes support clear understanding of the derived grade process and eligibility criteria.

2. Advice from Marcus Akuhata-Brown: 

A question and analogy to think about that was posed by Marcus - How does our school environment allow young Māori to thrive rather than just survive. Are our students being conditioned by an environment that we have created? Is success just compliance? 
Marcus talks about the analogy around the "Glass lid of low expectations", linked to the flea experiment, where if you place a glass lid on a jar, after a few days fleas will only jump to the level set. 
Something to think about for our learners.......

Week 4 - Term 3 - 2019

Whāia te mātauranga hei oranga mō koutou 

Seek after learning for the sake of your wellbeing 

This whakatauki refers to the importance of learning for it is key to your wellbeing. If you follow the path of learning, the world will be your oyster. 

Week 4  12 Ākuhata - 16 Ākuhata Geography Week Trainee Teachers from UC start - Mon 12 Middle Leaders - Coaching and Mentoring PLD - Mon 12 (2 - 4pm) UC Course Planning - Mon 12 Junior Alison Harper Tues 13, p 3 and 4 Ski & Snowboard Cant Champs Tues 13 Year 11 History Lecture - Tues 13 (morning) Parent Portal Opens for Subject choice - Wed 14 Cycling Litolff/Dawe Cups - Wed 14 Art History UC - Fri 16 Pretty Smart talk - Year 9 and 10 - Fri 16 Year 11 Semi Formal - Sat 17	Week 5  19 Ākuhata - 23 Ākuhata 13TOU - Aoraki Mt Cook - Mon 19 - Tues 20 Lilia Tarawa Visit - Mon 19 (p4) Subject Choice Afternoon - 2.30 in Gym - Mon 19 Winter Sport Ends - Wed 21 Lip Sync - Thurs 22 May Campbell Anderson Essay - Thurs 22 Basketball Ends - Fri 23 Massey & Victoria Open Days - Fri 23 Gymsports NZSS Champs - Sat 24 - Sun 25
Assembly - WED Year 13 Assembly - PAC	Assembly - WED Year 10 Assembly - Gym - Camp Information Year 12 Assembly - PAC
Meeting  Staff	Meeting  Staff

Information for Staff

1. Update re Digital Examinations from NZQA: 
I have had a chance to hear about the future direction of digital examinations from NZQA. A couple of things that might be of interest to you all moving forward:
a. Pilot surveys in 2018 show a very high % students commented positively around the use of digital examinations and student comments are not changing over time – the platform is becoming faster, easier, feels better, tidier. 
b. Foreign language examinations will go online in 2020.
c. By 2021 they anticipate that there will be a quality robust platform for digital examinations that will not just be for the substitution of digital for paper examinations. For example one of the things that they have trialed is adding in interactive components. In Level 3 Biology it could be a skull that is able to be rotated and manipulated and the students may have to use the skull to discuss the eating habits of that particular animal. They have also trialed a game based model of examination with Level 1 Biology, a journey of a microbe through the gut. Examinations will be more about constructing an experience and commenting on it.
d. In Mathematics, they are currently working on a package that will allow online examinations, so this will be on the cards.
e. NZQA are even thinking about where students sit the examination, rather than in any classroom, why are Science exams not allowed to be sat in Science classrooms? Why can't Te reo exams be sat in the same classes where learning occurs?


Image from: https://www.nzqa.govt.nz/about-us/future-state/digital-assessment-ncea-online/

2. Also on assessment, the MOE has just released the 'expressions of interests' for teachers to be part of the expert panels for the review of the upcoming change to achievement standards. The are starting with Level 1 Science, English and Visual Arts. See the link below to find out more information.

https://gazette.education.govt.nz/notices/1H9wJR-expressions-of-interest-to-join-review-of-achievement-standards-expert-group/

Week 3 - Term 3 - 2019

I orea te tuatara ka patu ki waho 

A problem is solved by continuing to find solutions 

This whakatauki refers to the need for creative thinking, adaptability and perseverance. In order to solve a problem you need to have all of these.

Week 3  5 Ākuhata - 9 Ākuhata LEF Reports and EC this week 12Tourism - Akaroa - Mon 5 Cycling SISS Road Champs - Tues 6 - Wed 7 Southern Jam - Wed 7 - Sat 10 Quad Sports exchange - Thurs 8 Senior Speech competition - Thurs 8 p4 Duathlon NZ Champs - Sun 11 Equestrian Cant ODHT - Sun 11	Week 4  12 Ākuhata - 16 Ākuhata Trainee Teachers from UC start - Mon 12 Middle Leaders - Coaching and Mentoring PLD - Mon 12 (2 - 4pm) UC Course Planning - Mon 12 Junior Alison Harper Tues 13, p 3 and 4 Ski & Snowboard Cant Champs Tues 13 Cycling Litolff/Dawe Cups - Wed 14 Art History UC - Fri 16 Pretty Smart talk - Year 9 and 10 - Fri 16 Year 11 Semi Formal - Sat 17
Assembly - WED House Assembly	Assembly - WED Year 13 Assembly - PAC
Meeting  Department	Meeting  Staff

Information for Staff

1. With upcoming examinations you may wish as HOD's when there is multiple classes to quickly see who in your course as SAC conditions. Now that SAC has been identified with the yellow flag in Kamar, you are able to print out the list by:

a. Go to Print

b. Student Lists

c. Select 'Student Lists - Custom Fields'

d. Select - Option subject, and find the relevant teachers with the classes you would like to list. Once all the classes are selected, then click on FIND.

e. You will need to change the category to 'FLAGS'.  Under the 'flags' heading you can then select special needs flags.

This will bring up a list with either 'yes' or 'no', which will let you know who  you need to explore further, print off any extra papers for exams for etc.

2. Leadership Scholarships are currently available to school and education sector employees in New Zealand. Scholarships are available at three experience levels. The simple nomination process is outlined below and can be completed in minutes.

Lead and Expert Teachers Colloquium - $3,000 per person
The New Zealand Schools Lead and Expert Teachers Leadership Colloquium is highly interactive, fully online, and focuses on the critical dimensions of effective leadership and interpersonal communication. The program has been designed to meet the needs of lead and expert teachers and draws on their number one learning preference: to access, share with and learn from peers in other school environments. More information here

The Women’s Middle Leadership Program (MLP) - $1,000 per person

The Women’s Middle Leadership Program (MLP) is designed to help aspirant and existing female middle leaders to better understand and take ownership of their pivotal and demanding role. It focuses on building interpersonal skills and awareness to enable participants to increase relational trust and overcome everyday challenges that arise within the school. The Women’s MLP is designed for a wide range of positions including curriculum and subject leaders, heads of departments and year level leaders, administration managers, lead and expert teachers and teachers in positions of added responsibility. View the program brochure here

The Deputy Principals Leadership Colloquium - $3,000 per person

The Deputy Principals Leadership Colloquium is purpose designed to bring current and aspiring Deputy/ Assistant Principals together from schools across the country to share their experiences and build their skills and knowledge. Development Subsidies are currently available to support participation the program. Subsidies are awarded in the form of fee support designed to offset a portion of the program fee. Fee support of up to $3,000 is presently available for this program. Click here for program prospectus

Nominate yourself or a colleague below

Name:
Position title:
Email:
Phone:
Program Name:

3. Word Christchurch has put out its Spring programme.

There are some interesting sessions linked to New Zealand's cultural heritage that some staff may be interested in.

https://wordchristchurch.co.nz/programme/owning-history/ 

and 

https://wordchristchurch.co.nz/programme/vincent-omalley-the-new-zealand-wars/  

Week 2 - Term 3 - 2019

I orea te tuatara ka patu ki waho 

A problem is solved by continuing to find solutions 

This whakatauki refers to the need for creative thinking, adaptability and perseverance. In order to solve a problem you need to have all of these. 

Week 2 29 Hōngongoi - 1 Ākuhata 12 Tourism - Mt Hutt - Mon 29 Australian Maths Competition - Thurs 1 Chamber Music Final - Fri 2 - Sat 3 Squash NZ champs - Fri 2 - Sun 4 Yr 12 EKEA UC - Fri 2 McCahon Painting Event - Fri 2 Referee requests to be completed by Fri 2 Phy/Maths Senior Competition - Sat 3 Regional Aerobics Competition - Sat 3	Week 3  5 Ākuhata - 9 Ākuhata LEF Reports and EC this week 12Tourism - Akaroa - Mon 5 Cycling SISS Road Champs - Tues 6 - Wed 7 Southern Jam - Wed 7 - Sat 10 Quad Sports exchange - Thurs 8 Senior Speech competition - Thurs 8 p4 Duathlon NZ Champs - Sun 11 Equestrian Cant ODHT - Sun 11
Assembly - WED Full School	Assembly - WED House Assembly
Meeting  Learning and Teaching	Meeting  Department

Information for Staff

1. PLD with Anton Matthews - Māori Cultural Competency.
Anton has announce a full day seminar + packed lunch by Fush for Teachers. This will be held on Monday September 30 at Boys' High School from 9.30am - 3.30pm.

Cost is $195. If you are interested please request through the PD channels. Tickets can be purchased HERE

2. New Revision tools - alongside quizlet and kahoot.... If you are thinking that you would like to diversify your online revision with students as we head into Senior Examinations later in the year you may want to explore the 3 different platforms below: 

a. Cram - https://www.cram.com/ - this is a flashcard website. You are able to download any sets that you already have in quizlet and upload them here.

b. Gimkit: https://www.gimkit.com/me - again, easy to create sets as can upload quizlet - the students love the competition and pressure!

c. Plickers: https://www.plickers.com/library - each student is given a card with a unique visual code. The code has 4 sides, each lettered A, B, C and D. Students hold up the card with their answer to the multi-choice question. As the teacher you can use an IOS or Android app to slowly scan the room, the app recognizes the cards, records who the teacher assigned the cards to and captures the answer.

3. TeachNZ study support grants are still available for the 2020 year. These close on 17 September. If you are thinking that you would like to apply, more information can be found on the TeachNZ website.

4. The Annual Graham Nuthall Lecture this year is on "The evolving passage of culturally responsive pedagogies". To register for your free ticket click HERE.

Week 1 - Term 3 - 2019

Waiho i te toipoto, kaua i te toiroa 

Let us keep close together, not wide apart 

This whakatauki speaks to the importance of keeping connected, of maintaining relationships and dialogue so that we can keep moving forward together. It could be used when sharing information about community events or projects that bring people together.

Week 1 22 Hōngongoi - 26 Hōngongoi Rarotongan Cultural Tour - Return on Wed 24 Careers Interviews for T3 start Loves Me Not - Year 12 Health Classes - Thurs 25 Music Tour of Primary Schools - Fri 26 Badminton Canterbury Champs - Sun 28	Week 2 29 Hōngongoi - 1 Ākuhata 12 Tourism - Mt Hutt - Mon 29 Australian Maths Competition - Thurs 1 Chamber Music Final - Fri 2 - Sat 3 Squash NZ champs - Fri 2 - Sun 4 Yr 12 EKEA UC - Fri 2 McCahon Painting Event - Fri 2 Referee requests to be completed by Fri 2
Assembly - WED NIL	Assembly - WED Full School
Meeting  Staff	Meeting  Learning and Teaching

Information for Staff

1. Welcome back to Term 3, which we know is incredibly busy and where we realise what we still need to do before our seniors leave for examinations in Term 4. One of the things on our calendar for Term 3 is Maori Language week (9 - 15 September). The theme this year is 'Kia Kaha te Reo Māori’. Think about what your goal will be for this term - increasing your knowledge around pronunciation of names? Adding more kupu reo to your repertoire?

With this in mind, I was sent through a link to this blog post - Becoming Culturally Courageous'. (Thank you Michelle). This is a great reflective piece an a must read for all of us as we move forward on our cultural journey.

2. Testimonials - A reminder that if students have emailed requesting you to complete a reference statement then you need to go to Onstream/ staff admin/ referee reports and complete a summary for each of the students. The due date for completion is Friday 2nd August.

3. Assessment Co-ordinator for Term 3: With BLY away from Term 3, Vicki (TSV) and Katrina (DNK) will be picking up this role in a shared capacity. A shared email account has been created which they will share with you and the students and community. They will be working out of 408, one of the small rooms off the common area for students to be able to find them on their allocated days.

4. Ollie Lovell's latest podcast where he is interviewing Dr Bill Rogers. Many of you will have heard of him in relation to his area of expertise of 'Behaviour Management'. 
There are some very good discussion points that make this a must to listen to.


5. PLD opportunity - The future of Learning Conference (30 Sept - 1 October) - See HERE for more information.

6. As we move into the Term with examinations looming, you might want to consider creating a 'One pager'. This activity allows students to show what they have learned in both a visual and written form, allowing for better memory of ideas when the 2 are mixed.