January 2016 Teacher Learning Days in Hanmer

Can you believe that the teachers chose to work together for three days in Hanmer as a great way to start the year? We had a fantastic time sharing the cooking, learning and laughing.
We managed to cover the first three hours of Dr Gordon Neufeld's developmental theory as we looked at attachment and separation as a foundation for understanding the roots of anxiety.
We also covered writing, assessment, nuts and bolts and student led conferences. We covered a lot of work in those days despite the noise sounding like we had  100 people in the house.
Thanks teachers for a chance to get to know you and have fun. I appreciate that you all had to leave your families for those days and concentrate on 2016 beginnings. You are the bees knees.
Thank you too to the Hanmer Public Library who let us use their internet to investigate and trial See Saw, a great App for children to share their learning with the class, teacher and their parents.

Developmental Theory Dr Gordon Neufeld.

In November 2015, in partnership with the Wayne Francis Trust and South West Baptist, we brought Dr Gordon Neufeld and his wife Joy to Christchurch to take a series of seminars on developmental theory.
This is what we have used to underpin the way that we do things here in West Spreydon School.
The need to be loved and to have unconditional invitation to exist lies at the very heart of the needs of every child (and adult.)
It was fantastic to have the opportunity to learn about neuro-science and the anatomy of things like aggression, the making and unmaking of bullies, anxiety, attachment, separation, vulnerability and maturity.
despite a lot of advertising many people missed out. Their loss. 
We are bringing him back to Christchurch in September 2017 for further series to help to unpack how and why the brain functions the way that it does.
Many parents and professional people had personal breakthroughs as they came to realize the root causes for some of their own thinking.
I have been very fortunate to be able to study with the Neufeld Institute since 2013 when Duane, our Board Chair and I attended a Level 1 intensive in Montreal.
In 2014 I studied intensive 11 online and then completed Advanced Intensive 111 in Parksville, Vancouver Island as apart of my sabbatical.
At West Spreydon School we believe and act on the belief that every child can reach his/her full potential as a human being with our help and support. We have seen truly remarkable results over the years.
Thank you to Gordon and Joy for their time and skills. We are so looking forward to you coming back.

Tricia PA and conference organizer.

Joy

Lizzie Chee Conference Organizer and Jason Chee

Duane and Ruth Major

Dr Gordon and Joy Neufeld.