Our Vision: Together we Nurture, Explore and Create for a Better Future

Another of our key vision words is ‘Explore’ - and it can be taken a number of ways, but today I’m struck by how it can mean giving children opportunities. As we grow up, particularly in the latter stages of college…doors start to close on us. Want to be an All Black, but have never picked up a rugby ball by age 18 and it might be a massive uphill battle. Want to be a famous musician, but have never touched an instrument…it might be a massive uphill battle. Want to be a digital filmmaker, an author, a pilot, a builder etc etc but haven’t had the chance to experience the basic skills…might be a challenge. I see our job here at DPS as opening a whole bunch of doors for children…and keeping them open for their 6 years with us. Letting them ‘Explore’ the possibilities for them and their ‘Better Future’. 

I think we provide a pretty wide range of opportunities here...be it the opportunity in kapahaka, choir, book club, enviro team, PRIDE team, road patrol, librarians, school leaders, drawing club, all the sports we offer (and we offer a heap!)…and just yesterday Narissa (one of our awesome brass tutors) was saying that of the 57 students they tutor across the town, 21 are here at DPS!

I was in Rātā this morning watching the morning paepae…and some of the leaders weren’t there, but the teachers had plenty of children keen to step up and run this important part of the day. Keen to learn that skill of public speaking and leadership. 

Down in Kahikatea the Core Belief team were in…children were getting the opportunity to Explore movie making, digital technologies and using cardboard joining techniques…as well as a class getting First Aid Training. 

As I wandered through Rimu I saw kites being made, a supermarket being run and some children animating using Scratch on the iPads.

I then drifted through Kōwhai where again I saw some digital animation being done, art being created and even some catapults being built and tested!

All of this is in and amongst the high quality teaching of the core learning areas…reading, writing and maths. Teachers were seeing small groups pushing the children along academically, as well as that rich learning described above. 

That is a lot of doors being opened, and a lot of children taking that step through them. Our schools ability to allow children to Explore new passions as well as gaining great academic learning is a real strength.

Cross Country

Practice is well underway for this event, and it is great to see the kids challenge themselves. I write this every year…and I still believe it. Cross Country isn’t about running as much as it is about developing perseverance, and rising to a challenge. No matter how fast you are, how far you can run…training can get you quicker, or enable you to run further. And the beauty of it…the challenge is universal. I’m yet to meet anyone who can run, push themselves and not be physically and mentally challenged by the effort it takes. Legs get sore, that voice starts in your head (just slow down, walk a bit…) so the real learning in cross country is about pushing yourself, and being able to push past the challenges. 

We look forward to inviting whānau to the cross country…tomorrow, Friday 16th May…It will be great to have you, and great to see our DPS Kids rise to their own challenge during their run. 

Support Staff Week

It is Support Staff Week this week, the week where we celebrate our wonderful Support Staff at DPS. Teacher Aides, Cleaners, Office Admin Team, and our caretaker...all support staff, and all awesome. We have amazing teachers at DPS delivering a quality education, but that quality is enhanced by this Support Staff team. Our classes are wonderful to work in...fresh and clean each day, Cheers Ange! Our grounds are beautifully maintained, and any small issues resolved quickly, Cheers Mr Blue! Our school logistically, financially and operationally functions so smoothly, cheers Sara, Anna and Meryl! Our kids also get wonderful care and attention from our teacher aides, supporting them as learners and young humans. Cheers Nicola, Natalie, Andrea, Joe, Kris, Rose, Grace, Dan, Mrs Blue, Anna, Imogen, Hayden & Pania. People make the Place...a saying I love...and so true, our wonderful Support Staff do make this place...make it function, make it awesome and make it a wonderful place to work and learn in. Happy Support Staff Week!

Quick Survey

Researchers at the Education Review Office (ERO) are doing some research about school attendance. They want to hear your thoughts about what makes a difference. Please help by clicking on this survey link: Parent and Whānau survey

Reminder: Teacher Only Day Tuesday June 3rd

Just a reminder that all of the local schools, primary and secondary, are closed Tuesday June 3rd as we are getting all of the town’s educators together for a day of learning. As one of the organisers I’m stoked with how the day is looking, and excited to get everyone in the same place, hearing the same thing. Thanks for your support.