The Principal's Perspective

2012-01-02T13:55:00.001-08:00

Totara Team Sweet As Market Day on PhotoPeach

2012-01-02T13:34:00.001-08:00

Pasifika Group; The Last Rehearsal Before the Public Performance on PhotoPeach

2012-01-02T13:26:00.000-08:00

Thank YouTo Our Volunteers on PhotoPeach

2011-12-07T18:42:00.000-08:00

Sweet As on PhotoPeach

2011-12-04T19:18:00.001-08:00

Tennis Coaching Anna Chapman and Carly on PhotoPeach

2011-12-04T18:55:00.000-08:00

Healthy Heroes Christchurch West Rotary on PhotoPeach

2011-12-04T18:40:00.000-08:00

ASB GetWise Holly Sutton on PhotoPeach

2011-11-18T00:14:00.001-08:00

Athletics Day November 2011 Part 2 on PhotoPeach

2011-11-17T23:58:00.001-08:00

Athletics Day Novembr 2011 on PhotoPeach

Dom Crowl Registered Teacher November 2011

2011-11-17T23:51:00.000-08:00

Introducing Dom Crowl Registered Teacher on PhotoPeach

2011-11-17T23:32:00.000-08:00

Introducing Dom Crowl Registered Teacher on PhotoPeach

2011-11-11T16:59:00.000-08:00

Board Bonding November 2011 on PhotoPeach

2011-11-11T14:17:00.000-08:00

Celebration of learning Part two on PhotoPeach

2011-11-11T14:05:00.000-08:00

Celebration of Learning: The World Is On Our Doorstep on PhotoPeach

2011-11-11T13:45:00.000-08:00

Inquiry and Discovery Time ABCD on PhotoPeach

2011-09-23T00:54:00.000-07:00

Home School Partnership-Janice Rocks on PhotoPeach

Salvation Army Emergency Supplies

2011-09-18T19:30:00.000-07:00

We were thrilled to receive the most amazing emergency supplies through the generosity of The Salvation Army. Cam and Lee delivered hundreds of dollars worth of goods for us to store in the emergency bins. My sincere prayer is that we never have to use them. Leanne McDougall our SWiS worker contacted them on our behalf. Thanks everyone.

Coffee and Connections

2011-09-18T19:20:00.000-07:00

School can be an intimidating place for new parents who don't know others in the community. Our volunteer parents do a wonderful job of linking newbies to others and getting them involved in the life of the school and the local community.

Last Friday's conversations were about School gardens, children's vege gardens and flower gardens.

Thanks parents; you do a better job than I do. We do appreciate all you do to make this a better place.

2011-09-18T19:07:00.001-07:00

Years 5 & 6 Woodend Camp on PhotoPeach

2011-09-18T18:26:00.000-07:00

ABCD Growing Stronger on PhotoPeach

2011-09-18T18:11:00.001-07:00

ABCD Making The Most of Creativity and Discovery on PhotoPeach

2011-09-18T18:04:00.001-07:00

ABCD Inquiry On The Move on PhotoPeach

2011-08-28T18:13:00.001-07:00

The World On Our Doorstep and Reading to Learn on PhotoPeach

2011-08-15T17:16:00.000-07:00

What Do Teachers Do When School Is Closed? on PhotoPeach

ABCD

2011-08-15T16:57:00.000-07:00

ABCD. Activity Based Challenge and Discovery on PhotoPeach

Years 3 and 4 Sports Initiative

2011-08-07T19:09:00.000-07:00

Amy has organized coaches from our soccer community to coach our students in the skills and strategies of soccer. That's our focus for this term.

Listening skills are essential for transferring knowledge and learning so at times the excitement over took the need to listen. We are so fortunate to have access to experts in our community. Amy, our sports co-ordinator has passion for young people and for sport. Now that's a good combination.

Team Work and Co-operation

2011-08-07T18:37:00.000-07:00

The object of the game was to work together to hit the balloon from one end of the classroom to the other, ensuring that everyone touches the balloon on it's journey. Mmmmm. Sounds simple I agree.
Suzanne has the patience of a saint. She kept redirecting and encouraging the children to include everyone and to keep the balloon off the floor but I have to admit it looked like "Mission Impossible."
We do a lot to assist our children to work together and to have fun. Learning life skills and key competencies is an important part of our focus as a school. Teachers have wonderful imaginations and use games to reinforce learning. There was a lot of laughter so I guess that took care of the fun part.

Tomorrow is another day.

Winter Tournament

2011-08-07T18:23:00.000-07:00

Thanks volunteer parents for getting the children to the park after the bus was a "no-show." Poor Maata had conniptions.
As always it was pleasing to see so many of our students involved with sporting competition. We have a way to go in understanding team play and strategies but we're learning.

The rugby team had some magnificent moments and I saw a couple of tries being scored. Our children are a pleasure to take on events.

Ripper Rugby Tournament

2011-08-01T16:08:00.000-07:00

Amy Smit is our sports co-ordinator and works with five schools in our local area. We have jointly employed her with our Kiwi Sport funding and she is working with years 3 and 4 students to develop sports skills and knowledge. Term 2's focus was on Ripper Rugby.
The tournament day was held at Hillmorton High. Thanks to the staff for letting us use the grounds.
It was a great day sprinkled with laughter and a bit of frustration from this by-stander.
Laughter was all about seeing the children having a wonderful time and the great job that Amy did in organizing the inter-school tournament.

The frustration comes from knowing that we need to keep teaching the fundamental skills, rules and strategies of games and sport to our children so that eventually they can apply them to a competitive game situation.
Getting in early is a key to hooking children into playing sport throughout their lives.
Thanks Amy and all of the volunteers.

Quake Break

2011-08-01T15:27:00.000-07:00

Several of our lovely students were selected for a fully sponsored holiday to Auckland or Great Barrier Island as a break away from Christchurch in the July Holidays.
Special thanks to Bridgit Veenings, Amanda Tointon and Al Hawkins who made the applications for the children to attend this amazing holiday, all expenses paid. Thanks too to the organization that provided this for our children. You will probably never know the real effect this has had on our children and the ways in which it has made a difference.
The pre-event excitement was wonderful to watch.
One of the boys has come back buzzing after his first plane trip. He was so thrilled that they"landed in Australia" on the way to Auckland.
I think I would be too.
Thank you to everyone who made this possible. Kia ora te whanau.

2011-07-02T23:00:00.001-07:00

2011West Spreydon School Dancing Like The Stars on PhotoPeach

2011-07-02T22:58:00.000-07:00

Southwest Schools Music Festival2 on PhotoPeach

2011-07-02T22:56:00.000-07:00

Southwest Schools Music Festival Rehearsal on PhotoPeach

2011-07-02T22:53:00.000-07:00

Rooms 8 and 12 Assembly The Lion Sleeps Tonight on PhotoPeach

I Like Coffee-Community Partnership

2011-06-25T17:50:00.000-07:00

Ruth, Rata and Catherine arrived on Friday before school with the Major's coffee machine, fresh beans and home baking.

This is their way of supporting our local community and especially our school whanau. They made chai and coffee for a minimal fee to give parents a time to stop and chat and support each other. Their generosity means that our parents had time to make connections in the school and that has never been more important than now for families in Christchurch.

Sorry kids the baking is not for you!

Thanks with all our hearts to the mums who go out of their way to show they care. Aroha nui.

Arbor Day with Bill Earle

2011-06-25T17:43:00.000-07:00

Our caretaker is a man in a million. He cares for us in our times of need (and we've had plenty of those lately) and he cares for the environment. The jumior school, known as the Pohutukawa Team helped Bill to plant new trees and shrubs around the school. They were aided and abetted by the senior class. Thanks Bill and students for the ways in which you care for the school.

Winter tournament at Hagley Park

2011-06-25T17:22:00.000-07:00

Danielle Capill bravely faces the weather each week at Hagley Park with her keen little team of soccer players. Our goalie is one of the best.

2011-05-20T22:43:00.001-07:00

Gail Loane"I have Something To Say." on PhotoPeach

2011-05-20T22:42:00.000-07:00

May 2011 West Spreydon School Cross Country on PhotoPeach

House Leaders for 2011

2011-05-05T18:56:00.000-07:00

Sheppard House: Kim, Ruby, Reuben, Lotoni

Hillary House:Ye-Na, Jacob, Michaela, Brian

Mansfield House: Reihana, Ashley, Ruby, Ryan

Rutherford House: Alisha, Jenna, Robbie, Ronwell

2011-04-19T19:11:00.001-07:00

Celebration Day with thanks to Dr Warren Smith of Volleyball New Zealand on PhotoPeach

2011-04-19T18:52:00.000-07:00

Federation Internationale de Volleyball thanks to Dr Warren Smith. on PhotoPeach

A Special Gift

2011-04-12T19:31:00.000-07:00

On February 22 our violin teacher Julie Pettit was driving her car when all hallelujah broke loose. She arrived in our school grounds to join us to help comfort the children and each other. Julie was very worried about her own family too as they were in different parts of the city.
Yesterday she came into my office with a truly stunning surprise. She wanted to give me a gift and I am all for gifts.
Julie plays first and second violin for The Christchurch Symphony Orchestra. She is an incredibly talented musician.
She had composed a beautiful violin accompaniment/solo to "Great Is Thy Faithfulness" and performed the piece in my office to a recorded c.d. with full orchestra and chorale backing.
I bawled my eyes out and just quietly, so did she.

Thank you Julie for a very precious gift. It will remain as a highlight of my teaching career. My own concert.

Christchurch Care Packages

2011-04-12T19:12:00.000-07:00

Care Packages from Tauranga Primary School. Thank you so much. You have no idea how special this makes us feel.

Belinda, Michelle and Nicki

Yup that's me looking like a stunned mullet. I am sure it was just a cheap camera cos' I look way better than that.

The bags contain brand new books from Scholastics, pencils, toys and other goodies donated by businesses.

Today I met with Belinda, Nicki and Michelle (Erin was unable to be here.) These lovely women have approached businesses and contacted North Island schools to find ways to support our Canterbury Kids.
It was pretty amazing to look inside the boxes from the children at Tauranga Primary School to see what they had given to our children. Their little letters are gorgeous and speak from the heart. The children have an amazing understanding of the difficulty some of us have had coping and how frightening it has been for all of us. Kids can walk a mile in someone else's shoes and I thank their parents and teachers for helping them to appreciate what it is like for us.
Belinda, Nicki, Michelle and Erin you are now officially friends of our school. I am struggling to find the right words to let you know how much this means to our children and to us as a staff. It's not like me to run out of things to say. Thank you. Thank you.

"Canterbury Can"

2011-04-12T18:17:00.000-07:00

Last week we organized Chris Williams to come to school to sing the Canterbury Can Anthem with the children. It was fantastic. Our children can sing!
We also took the opportunity to acknowledge the heroism of all of our staff and students. Each staff member was acknowledged with a certificate from the board for their actions on February 22. What a day!
Later that afternoon all of the children were given a chocolate bar donated by John Allen from Shell Garage Barrington.

Bill Earle our caretaker was presented with a special award. He has been solid as a rock for us over the past months and has gone way beyond the call of duty. Bill is one of the main reasons everyone was kept safe and why our school was able to open so quickly after so much damage. Sorry folks. You can't have him. Bill is one in a million and he is a West Spreydoner through and through.

John Allen, Friend of West Spreydon School

2011-04-07T20:17:00.000-07:00

On February 22 one of our local businesses had a big shake down and stock fell off the shelves.Elvis Presley really could have sung, "I'm All Shook Up."
John Allen called in to see me and offered us all of the stock that they could no longer sell in the shop at the Shell Garage.
Our PTA has taken charge of more than $2,000 of chocolate bars and soft drinks.
They are sorting Easter raffles and goodies to sell.
On Saturday 16 April Volleyball NZ is sponsoring a huge community volley ball tournament with entertainment and a D.J. This has been organized through one of our parents, Dr Warren Smith. A good man if there ever was one and of course there was.
At that event the PTA will hold a sausage sizzle and by golly there will be some chocolate bargains.
We are very thankful for friends of our school who have thought of us and wanted to help our students.

John Allen take a bow (and I know your daughter spent hours sorting and packing the goods for us). You are a local hero. I know your wife had a role in this and we feel very privileged to have received so much from you.

2011-03-20T21:04:00.001-07:00

Pohutukawa Team Adventure Time on PhotoPeach

2011-03-20T20:45:00.001-07:00

Pool Committee, Board of Trustees, PTA and Staff BBQ At The Pool that Needs Your Help on PhotoPeach

2011-03-20T20:11:00.000-07:00

Cycle Safety at West Spreydon School. on PhotoPeach

To Everything there is a season; A Time To Laugh...

2011-03-20T19:57:00.000-07:00

Cornflakes and Magic Mat meet West Spreydon School Part 1 on PhotoPeach

Laughter Really Is The Best Medicine

2011-03-20T19:49:00.000-07:00

Cornflake The Clown and Magic Mat Part 2 on PhotoPeach

2011-03-20T19:28:00.001-07:00

March 16th Back to School. Where's Wally? on PhotoPeach

2011-03-20T19:26:00.001-07:00

Joshua Foundation Year 6 Leadership Training 1 on PhotoPeach

2011-03-20T19:09:00.000-07:00

Joshua Foundation Year 6 Leadership Training 2 on PhotoPeach

The Ride-On-Mower, The Caretaker and the saga of the grass.

2011-03-20T18:58:00.000-07:00

The morning before the world went mad, Bill our caretaker had the purchase of the school mower approved. It was such a return to normal to see him perched on the driver's seat last week. As my dad used to say,"Sitting up there like Jackie." I have no idea who Jackie is but dad mentioned him a lot. So here are the pics of Bill, mowing the lawns as and when needed. Over three years the mower will have paid for itself as we will not have to pay contractors fees and we can have the lawns mowed as often as we like or need.

This is the same Bill who on the day of Feb 22 and every other day since has worked tirelessly to restore our school. He also had a key role in keeping staff and children safe in the midst of fear and chaos. Bill is a treasure and we acknowledge his value to us and our school.
You Go Bill.

6.3. February 22 2011

2011-03-16T18:00:00.000-07:00

Not what we had planned to happen on that afternoon I can assure you! We had year 6 children out on the road with Cycle Safety instructors and a group of children 30 seconds away from getting into the pool with professional instructors. Miraculously no-one was injured except for a leg scrape from falling off a bike. I owe a huge personal and professional debt to our staff who put aside their own fears and worries about their families to keep the children safe. It is possible to comfort others when you are terrified yourself. Our board appeared on the school grounds from every direction and offered help as did many parents. Bill our caretaker is one of the most courageous and giving people I have ever encountered. He kept us all calm and seemed to be everywhere in the school at once, turning things off, undoing things and making himself available to everyone. He even found some ice-blocks for us.

Our children were so brave and able to comfort each other.

No-one in our school community lost his/her life but we all know of friends of friends who didn't come home. I am thankful for miracles and mercies.

Our board has worked its tail off liaising and bargaining with every man and his dog while I was on the phone to everyman and his other dog.

We re-opened for students on Wednesday 16th and hearing laughter and chatter in the buildings and grounds has been such a healing thing for us all.

Eight of the classrooms are damaged and our big pool is "muntered." Some of the pool is covered under insurance so all is not lost. If you happen to have inherited a fortune and you are looking for a good cause then please pick us. Four of the classes are being repaired for re-occupation and the middle four are on the wait and see list as the damage to them is more severe.

Our school is about Attitude, Adventure and Achievement so we won't stay down for long. There are classes in the hall and library and in the rooms that used to be the Toy Library and One Day School. They had to get out at short notice and I thank them so much for biting the bullet and moving. It wasn't easy for them at all. Thanks to Bonnie's dad for the bottled water.

Time for a cuppa in the staffroom for parents on the first day back to school March 16th.

Bridgit and Joy share a laugh and a cuddle. Both of them are on our pool committee.

Nothing will keep these two down in the dumps.

Some of these parents offered to do playground duty to give the teachers a break. Find me a better community and I will "go he."

Hamish, Kaye and Sue glad to be back. Sue and Hamish trucked in water for us.

Our hearts, thoughts and prayers, along with a sick feeling in the tummy, go to the Japanese people who are facing far worse than we have experienced.

Down but not out for the count.

An unhappy building with a great paint job.

Thanks to everyone for your good wishes, messages and offers of help. Our school is so much at the heart of the local community.

Christchurch City Council SwimSmart Instructors Join Our WSS Team

2011-02-16T00:09:00.000-08:00

It was worth burning my bare feet on the concrete to watch the progress the children are making with the help of the experts. It is scary to realize that many of our children could not survive if they fell into deep water. We take it for granted that our kids can swim. You would be shocked by how many cannot stay afloat long enough to get to the side and safety.

On the other hand I have watched some children improve their swim strokes and power through the water with their instructors advice ringing in their ears.

Parents we have a responsibility together to ensure that our children can swim. WSS is doing its part to ensure our students are safe and can have fun in the water.

2011-02-15T19:44:00.001-08:00

Principal On The Loose In Classes! on PhotoPeach

Rutherford House Leaders Present Their Election Speeches

2011-02-15T19:09:00.000-08:00

Jenna, Deputy Leader of Rutherford House

Ronwell, Rutherford House Leader

Anastasia, Rutherford House Leader.

Robbie, Rutherford House Deputy Leader

At the start of each year the Year 6 students prepare a speech and present it to the other students in their house. The leadership roles in our school have growing importance as we prepare young people for all kinds of leadership in their school and community. Leadership is a tough call especially when one is a child. Our teachers support and mentor the children as they learn about responsibility and role modeling. We know as adults that leadership means coping with mistakes and failure-personally I wish it was about being perfect but it is not. West Spreydon School wants to contribute to our local community by training young people as leaders. These young people were chosen as House Leaders and Deputy Leaders by their peers.

2011-02-14T13:33:00.000-08:00

Inspired Impact and the impact that's had on us! Go Team WSS. on PhotoPeach

2011-02-14T01:24:00.001-08:00

Inspired Impact: Our QLCs sharing our learning with each other on PhotoPeach

2011-02-14T01:02:00.001-08:00

Christchurch City Council SwimSmart Instructors meet Year 5/6 swimmers on PhotoPeach

2011-02-14T00:37:00.000-08:00

Amy Smit Sports Co-Ordinator at West Spreydon School. on PhotoPeach

2011-02-14T00:23:00.000-08:00

Year 1 and the New Entrants Go Swimming. O Crikey! on PhotoPeach

2011-02-14T00:13:00.001-08:00

New Entrant Shenanigans on PhotoPeach

2011-02-13T22:09:00.001-08:00

All Aboard The Fast Train at West Spreydon School. on PhotoPeach

2011-02-13T21:37:00.000-08:00

First Week BACK AT SCHOOL 2011 on PhotoPeach

2010-12-15T16:01:00.000-08:00

Punk The Clown Entertains The students at West Spreydon School on PhotoPeach

2010-12-15T15:32:00.001-08:00

West Spreydon School Fun Day and BBQ on PhotoPeach

2010-12-15T15:12:00.000-08:00

West Spreydon School Fun Day 2010 on PhotoPeach

2010-12-08T19:29:00.000-08:00

West Spreydon School Triathlon Is Back. on PhotoPeach

2010-12-06T17:06:00.000-08:00

Methodist Mission "Wise-Up" Breakfast on PhotoPeach

Edible Garden

2010-12-06T16:11:00.000-08:00

I couldn't resist taking photos of the edible garden on the school driveway. Our caretaker Bill takes incredible care of the fruit trees, berries and spuds. Last year some meat heads came in over the weekend and destroyed the potatoes and yams so it has been a case of holding our collective breath until the potatoes have had a chance to mature. The children and parents love the blueberries and raspberries.

New potatoes for Christmas

Blueberries are a favourite

Old fashioned gooseberries

Blueberries and raspberries

An apple a day , so they say...

Nectarines have to ripen so we can get them before the birds do

Pears add another flavour to the fruit salad mix of plants on the school driveway.

Sometimes we do have a gardening group who "plough the bottom forty " under Bill's watchful eye.

2010-11-27T23:34:00.001-08:00

Pohutukawa/Junior Sports Day/Tux Wonder Dog on PhotoPeach

2010-11-27T23:03:00.000-08:00

Pohutukawa Sports Day or Herding Cats Day. on PhotoPeach

2010-11-27T22:28:00.000-08:00

West Spreydon School Splash Day on PhotoPeach

Kids For Kids World Vision Concert

2010-11-27T22:26:00.000-08:00

Kids For Kids World Vision with Suzanne Prentice on PhotoPeach

Kapahaka

2010-11-16T19:15:00.000-08:00

We were so privileged this year to have Al and Kari to assist with Kapahaka. Kari is mum to two of our students and has given her time to us to teach poi and waiata.
Al has led with his typical humour and determination to make a difference for children. He gives a lot of volunteer time to our school and the staff and children love him. I have to say he is a bit cheeky and doesn't seem to realise how important I am.! Shirley Haynes is fluent in te reo and has been a fantastic teacher support for them.

Al just seems to have an endless source of energy and goodwill. Try as we might we just can't wear him out and he keeps coming back to work with the students in kapahaka, Adventure Programme and Touch Rugby.

There are so many factors that contribute to a wonderful school but mostly it comes down to the people. We do have the best resources but without the volunteers, board of trustees, mums and dads, teachers and support staff we would be no different from any other school. And by gum we are awesome.

End of Yearitis and Retail Therapy

2010-11-16T15:55:00.000-08:00

It's been interesting to plot the changes in some of our children over the past few months as we have adjusted to life with earthquakes. From time to time we are seeing evidence of stress in the form of niggles, tears and arguments. Thank goodness the teachers are doing a lot better!!!
When I am stressed I go shopping and as a result of our roll growth this year we were able to replace a lot of technical equipment and appliances identified in our budget but pending funding. I have an amazing office executive in Jacqui who can turn a dollar into $10.40.
We had a pod of laptops coming out of their lease this month and we decided to buy twelve new laptops to add to the eight that the PTA had purchased.
Donna had the laptops in her class this week and it was fantastic to watch the children using applications to present their work in power points and movies. Donna is a bit of a techie freak and she admits that she learned new things by watching the students. How good is that? We now have a large range of cameras, flip videos, data projectors, laptops and desk tops for the students to use as part of their learning programme. Some of them are so quick at accessing information, photos, video etc and including multi-media in their ways of learning and presentations of learning. Gone are the days of ploughing through a book to find the one paragraph relevant to the learning. In a few minutes children can access several sources of information about the same topic and they are learning to discriminate between reliable and dodgy sources. That involves higher levels of thinking and the ability to sort and separate facts from fiction.
What I enjoy seeing are the children who struggle with "pen and paper, teacher- talk -at -me" learning, actually making independent decisions and becoming involved in real learning because the technology makes the learning fun. Suddenly the "kids who can't" become the "kids who can and do!"

The lovely blonde is Olivia our teacher aide who graduates with her BSc this year and will go into teacher training in 2011. Olivia will be greatly missed by our staff and students. We have been very blessed to have had her on our team.

We are installing a 42" flat screen t.v. in the admin area to run continuous data shows and videos of life at West Spreydon School. Kaye my clerical assistant thinks it is for her to watch daytime soaps and Oprah! She's in for some heartbreak. Mind you I can see the teachers in the foyer on a Friday night, passing the pop-corn and fizzy, watching a movie on the big screen. Yeah right.

Learners and Winners

2010-10-28T19:18:00.000-07:00

Check out the cheesy grin of a little girl who's learning to read.

Amelia reads her first words.

I haven't been in too much of a fuss to blog lately as I have struggled a bit with the aftermath of the earthquake and the ongoing leaping about. Doctors are great people to talk to so if you like me have had a struggle to get a positive perspective don't be shy about seeking help.

You have to laugh really as last Sunday I was hanging onto the door frame with one foot on the deck and one foot in the house as the latest revolting shake hit and I know I looked petrified. My 16 year old grandson walked past me, said"You o.k. nanny?" and carried on downstairs and my dearly beloved called out from the bathroom "What's the problem? Is there an earthquake?"

To cheer me up I have been looking at children who are learners and this week I saw a little champion who has found learning to read a real mystery. She's been working with Marg our teacher aide and she came in this week with her book and a smile too wide to get in the door.

Amelia read her four words to me with such expression and pride. It is like solving a mystery and breaking a secret code when kids get the idea that those marks on the page mean something.

I'm sorry folks but national standards mean nothing when you see the break through that a child has at her own level. At this stage of her learning I don't care whether she meets the national standard (whatever that is and I can't wait for someone to decide what it is.) This child exceeded her own expectations all in one day. That's learning.

Hanmer Retreat for the WSS Board of Trustees

2010-10-28T18:46:00.000-07:00

West Spreydon School Board of Trustees Retreat on PhotoPeach

Book Fair week

2010-10-28T16:45:00.001-07:00

Book Fair Week at West Spreydon School on PhotoPeach

Post Discombobulation

2010-09-20T21:04:00.000-07:00

I am very thankful that all of us are safe and a bit wiser. I can't even bring myself to say the E word at the moment. I guess it is to do with my personality type and strengths: I am used to being in control and this is not something I can have any say in.
Our school stood up like a little trooper and apart from some minor scratches has been unscathed. Thank you God. Our hearts go out to the school communities who have many months of rebuilding ahead of them.
Our Board of Trustees was magnificent. They were all mobilized along with Bill our caretaker ( who is extraordinary) in short order and were researching and making decisions before the MOE about school safety and closures. I guess that comes from having trustees who are leaders in their own fields.
I felt incredibly supported by our board as did our staff.
What did we do before cell phones?
I admire the MoE who faced with a very new situation where many of them were also affected, made sensible decisions and looked to support us all as quickly as possible. It certainly has not been easy to offer support when you are also stressed. This is true of our property manager Wynne from School Support whose home is close to the epicentre and who had to carry on and sort other people's problems out before he could attend to his own.
Our teachers and students have been amazing. You wouldn't tell from the outside that anything has happened but our accident register tells the story of tired and stressed children. I know the feeling. I guess we see the signs because we know each other.
As for me; I give thanks for each day's blessings and the sight of all of the little faces (and big ones needing a shave both male and female) back with us at school.

2010-08-25T20:22:00.000-07:00

Pioneer Stadium Early Learning Center and Rosy Cheeks Pre-school on PhotoPeach

2010-08-25T19:37:00.000-07:00

West Spreydon School Gets A Hand Up From Spreydon Baptist Community on PhotoPeach

Out and About at Spreydon Baptist Early Learning Centre on PhotoPeach

2010-08-25T19:35:00.000-07:00

Out and About at Spreydon Baptist Early Learning Centre on PhotoPeach

2010-08-17T19:28:00.001-07:00

The Complete Cure For The Blues-West Spreydon School meets Hoon Hay Community Creche on PhotoPeach

Where Does That Woman Go?

2010-08-17T17:52:00.000-07:00

I am in a privileged position where I get to see pre-schoolers in their learning environment. This time it was at the Lyttelton Street Playcentre. It was a pleasure to meet with Pip and talk through their learning philosophy and to see all of the parent volunteers working with their children to support their growth and learning. There is a big focus on socialization and learning through play. I was interested in their self review process and the ways in which they were reviewing the children's learning stories so that more could be captured about the spontaneous learning the children were doing.
There is a visible focus on te reo, awhinatanga and Maori values and perspective.
Finding the links between Te Whaariki and our school's interpretation of the New Zealand Curriculum are critical if we are to ensure children have a successful transition to school.
Thanks for hosting me.

The Principal's Other Big Day Out,

2010-08-12T19:03:00.000-07:00

What better way to spend Friday morning than to take a group of Year 5 and 6 boys to the museum to discover examples of transport in the early 1800's?

Now I freely admit that I was a tad tired and had to remind myself that I was dealing with four boys. Once I got over myself I no longer minded the endless photos they took of their own tonsils, insides of their nostrils and the close-up back views of each other as they climbed stairs.

Trying to explain to them that taking a video of a static object may mean that something gets lost in the translation was also a lost cause.

I forgot that boys can and do giggle more than girls once they get an idea in their heads and the sense of the bizarre takes on a life of its' own.

Still I am nothing if not determined and we forged ahead. In the end they gathered a lot of information by moving around the museum, taking photos and doing lots of talking. Did I mention moving around AND DOING LOTS OF TALKING? Did I also mention the interesting close-ups of nostrils, eyes, tonsils?

We had an iced chocolate in the museum cafe and I had a strong triple shot coffee.

I had to come back to school and have a little nana nap under my desk!!!!

Secretly I thoroughly enjoyed myself and as always it was a pleasure to take our students on an excursion. They really are delightful.

The Principal's Big Day Out

2010-08-08T19:27:00.000-07:00

Last week I was the driver and organizer of a couple of trips to the Canterbury Museum for two groups of students from Years 5 & 6. The movies of our adventures at the museum are attached to the school's website.

During a visit to their classes I learned that they were researching different aspects of life in the 1800's and remembered the wonderful resources we have in the museum.

It was a delight to take the children and very hard not to laugh when I overheard some of their conversations. Kids say the "darndest" things.

I admit that the drive home with the boys, after the sugar from the iced chocolate had hit their bloodstreams, was somewhat manky. It sounds like I am generous but in truth I needed the coffee and just couldn't bring myself to let them starve.

I am in the unique position of having the freedom to work with students as they learn without the burden of assessment and monitoring. I'm not sure what national standard we met last week but the conversations the children shared about their learning were thoughtful, insightful and at times very funny. The boys especially were all over the place like blowflies at a picnic BUT learning as they flitted from "sandwich to sandwich."

I love my job.

Learning How To Overcome Challenges

2010-08-02T20:12:00.000-07:00

Last week the whole school spent a day at Ferrymead. We wanted to give everyone a "real life" experience about what it is like to face challenges on a daily basis and to have to use initiative, courage, resilience, creativity and perseverance to overcome them.

I was so thrilled with the ways in which the children took on the roles and completed the tasks.

There was competition and bartering but also team work.

One of the lasting memories is of how they sat in total silence eating morning tea after the 1800's "teacher" reminded them that "children should be seen and not heard."

Our lunch was a chunk of crusty bread, a slab of cheese, a home baked biscuit, crisp apple and home made jam. It was delicious and very filling. Just the kind of sustenance needed for a day of manual labour.

Some of the junior children had been at school for four days and we took them off to this adventure. They coped so well with having to adapt to new expectations and with having to solve problems without the help of technology.

The boys will never admit it but they loved playing dress-ups too.

I was so impressed by the levels of total concentration as the children had to learn tasks that they may not have seen before. Some had the notion that the goal was to scrub the washing board clean rather than the clothes.

The idea of small boys being lifted into the oven to clean it once it was cool did not appeal to anyone. Thank goodness times have moved on. I would never have survived.

2010-08-02T19:42:00.001-07:00

Life in the 1800's is Not As Easy As it Looks on PhotoPeach

2010-08-02T19:40:00.001-07:00

Totara Team Meet The 1800'S At Ferrymead on PhotoPeach

Principal On the Road Again

2010-07-25T00:12:00.001-07:00

KidsFirst and KiddiTech on PhotoPeach

2010-07-24T20:04:00.000-07:00

Margaret Smart: teacher aide, all round good sort and pianist.


ROOM 7 sings their song about being healthy inside and out.

At the end of Room 7's inquiry learning about "Healthy Inside and Out" Mrs Williams and the students brainstormed all of the things they had learnt that they needed to do to ensure that they all stayed healthy. What a clever way to ascertain what students can apply to their own lives.

Suzanne wrote the ideas into verses and a song was about to be born.

That's where Mrs Smart comes in. She put the words to music. Margaret practiced playing a familiar tune so that the children could sing their song in assembly. "I'm a little Tea Pot" has never sounded so good.

It was a smash hit and reinforces our belief that learning should be about real life things and that it should be fun.

Healthy Inside and Out

2010-07-24T19:48:00.000-07:00

Kahrn, Joe and Robbie receive their vertificates and kites from ASB.

I really enjoy being able to give things away.

Molly receives her certificate and kite

Melissa and Alyshia set the tone for savings

ASB have a school banking scheme that operates in our school as part of their banking package. Last year Kylie and Dennis sold the banking scheme to us in and we now have a small group of children who regularly bank some of their pocket money. Learning to save a little is a healthy way to manage finances and habits learned now can have a very positive spin on for the future. This fits comfortably with last terms inquiry about Healthy Inside and Out and has made for a practical outcome that can be applied to life and living.

One of the littlies said in assembly tha tthe reason one has a savings account is "so you can give the money to your parents." Now there's a noble idea.

Westpac Presents $1000.00 to West Spreydon School.

2010-07-09T00:12:00.000-07:00

It was a very exciting afternoon for us when Suzanne and Nina from Westpac came to school to present us with a very large cheque ( a little play on words) for $1000.00.

One of our dad's Justin entered a competition when he opened an account at West pac and he won our school the money and some money for his son Hamish's account. What a clever dad.

We are going to use the money to pay for the buses to transport all of our students to Ferry Mead next term. This will be part of our inquiry topic called Intrepid Journeys where the children will discover what trials and adversity faced early settlers in New Zealand and the ways in which they overcame them. We want the children to understand that we face problems in all aspects of life and living and that we are incredibly creative and able to find solutions; sometimes not the solution we thought. We just have to keep trying, rethinking, questioning and believing that we can do it.

Thank you Justin for thinking of us and to Westpac for the generous donation

Student Led Conferences June 2010

2010-06-22T19:31:00.000-07:00

In June of each year our teachers organize a time for parents and their children to get together to talk about learning. This is the second year we have planned this and it is thrilling to see how the children have grown in confidence to talk about what they have achieved and what they need to do to make the next level of success. This fits beautifully with the New Zealand Curriculum that states that children need to develop the abilities to manage themselves and their learning, become self reflective and think deeply about their learning and choices and to make connections between themselves, others and the environment in real life learning contexts.

Sounds pretty high brow ,eh?

Big ups to all of the parents and children who made the commitment to attend the conferences and to share the learning stories. It is your child who will benefit and so will you as you will have first hand information to be able to help your child at home.

What makes a successful Board of Trustees apart from an absolutely fantastic Principal? Yeah Right!

2010-06-19T00:15:00.000-07:00

Maata and Duane are on task and thinking hard.

Bridgit the newby trustee and Dave after one year as a trustee, lead each other up the garden path.

Paul looks a little stunned as he follows Charmaines lead at his first Board Meeting

You can just tell that Dave is at home on the board.

Paul, Charmaine and Dave discuss one of the reports.

Maata, Duane and Rosemary look at data on student achievement and prepare to ask the hard questions. Duane and Rosemary are the co-chairs of our board.

Bridgit and Dave brought magazines to the board meeting in case it was boring!! Just kidding.

Duane, Rosemary, Bridgit, Paul, Dave, Maata, Marriene and Charmaine.
That's the Board of Trustees Team at West Spreydon School

~~Okey dokey then what does make an effective Board of Trustees at West Spreydon School?~~

co-board chairs who meet with me every week to give pastoral care and support and to push forward with strategic goals. Actually having two board chairs is so far very successful for us; we are a fine balance of rational thinking, impulse, "ready, fire, aim," can-do, detail, motivators and senses of humour
a board who understands the difference between governance and management and who is highly effective in the governance arena. Big picture thinking and strength based leadership operating at board level make us a very forward thinking board
a board who values training and professional learning. One week after our first board meeting we met to train together with Al Fone on governance and management and a few weeks later on how to conduct effective audits. Thanks to MoE for its funding support
making time to think and plan together. In August we have a two day retreat in Hanmer. In between we plan and meet
well planned board meetings with an agenda that is set in advance and has no general business
ability and willingness to laugh and have fun
a board that asks the hard questions about student achievement and then takes responsibility to make a difference.The words,"So what can we do as a board?" are the ones guaranteed to melt even the toughest Principal's heart
high levels of challenge and support for each other and our staff. Our board has a high regard for our staff and lets them know it
belief and talk about our staff and school being the future of our community
loyalty and belief in each other to be the best that we can be
a sense of a team on an adventure that has risks and challenges but will bring incredible rewards for our children and teachers
high levels of trust in me to raise the profile of the school, develop our staff as a formidable teaching team and to have the freedom to try new things
Perfection? I think not. But we have a culture where we are allowed to make mistakes and to keep moving on

2010-06-19T00:01:00.001-07:00

Principals, Principles, Pre-schools and Partnership on PhotoPeach