Week 5 NEWSLETTER

from the principal

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

Another week, and I have three awesome things to share with you that highlight so many parts of our school vision. These three things aren’t actually separate from each other…while they are wildly different in how they look…the underlying learning is the same (Creativity, Collaboration, Critical Thinking and Learner Agency), the underlying principles are the same (learning happens when we DO things, learning happens when we are challenged, and learning happens when we care) and they are all driving towards the same outcome - Together We Nurture, Explore and Create for a Better Future.

Mokomoko Project

There was a great article in the Midweek last week about Kahikatea’s student inquiry…looking at mokomoko (native lizards). The article highlights the power of the learning spanning multiple areas:

In science, the tamariki tested water quality in the school’s creek to assess habitat health. In art, they sculpted clay mokomoko with local artist Sam Ludden. Literacy lessons saw students writing persuasive letters to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Masterton Mayor Gary Caffell, advocating for mokomoko protection. Digital technology was used to create iMovies, showcasing the children learning about habitat design. A highlight was a field trip to Solway Reserve.

Rich academic learning…the ‘Explore’ part of our vision, wrapped up in our ‘Better Future’ part of the school vision…and, woven through it were multiple opportunities for students to 'Create’ as they learnt. Great stuff!

Aquabots

In the Midweek this week was an article about our two Aquabots teams. Another great read, highlighting a culmination of all that we try to infuse our learning programmes with.

“Pupils learned basic skills in design and engineering concepts and developed skills in problem solving, teamwork, scientific communication and technical applications. These skills are transferable to the classroom. “We’re big on teaching collaboration and creative skills. They can apply all they learn. It’s rich in science and is all-round awesome learning.”

One of the highlights when I watched was how well the teams worked together…the ‘Together We’ and ‘Nurture’ parts of the school vision. When things got difficult, our children had the skills to negotiate, support, empathise and build each other up.

Hidden Lakes

Tomorrow will be the second of our Year 6 planting trips out to Hidden Lakes. We have partnered with the Ruamahunga Restoration Trust, and are helping with their mahi out there. It connects to the ‘Better Future’ part of our vision…the idea that we can do something for the environment to help, an act of service. The Kahikatea Year 6’s went a few weeks ago, planted 200 trees, did a bit of weeding…and had a marvelous time. They all worked hard (the organisers even commented on how many plants they got through), worked well together…and then had the opportunity to go for a walk around the lake, getting to areas that are normally not available. The Rātā Year 6’s have their go tomorrow, and I know we will get the same positive feedback about them.

“A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they shall never sit.” - Greek Proverb

"The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now." - Chinese Proverb

Illness

Wow, we have taken a bit of a hammering over the last week with illness. Since Tuesday last week absences have increased each day, peaking last Friday with over 100 children away. Normal winter bugs, mixed with a gastro bug and some influenza, has taken a toll. I thank you for keeping your children at home while ill…and for being flexible enough to come and collect those that have fallen ill during the day. Our attendance stats are through the floor, but doing what is right for the kids and keeping them away while unwell or recovering is more important. Take care team!

Teacher Only Day and the Paid Union Meeting

Two dates here:

We are closed for a Teacher Only Day on Monday September 1st. This is a curriculum day for us, taking a deeper look at the new mathematics curriculum.

However - we are staying open for the upcoming Paid Union Meeting next week (Thursday 21st August). The Union is now having two meetings (one in the morning and one in the afternoon), so we can split our staff to get to a meeting. Be aware though, other schools may be closing. It won’t be a normal day of learning for the children…but it’ll be good awesome DPS fun, and means we don’t have to close twice in a fortnight.

Learning Showcase - Save the Date!

Set aside some time on Friday 29th August for our learning showcase ‘This is Learning’. Starting at 1pm with performances from our kapahaka, we are going to put on displays of learning across the school. Every child will have something to share…and it is our way of publicly displaying what learning looks like at this school. Everything from maths to science, from art to digital animation, from failure to finished product…’This is Learning’ will showcase the vibrant learning on offer here at DPS.

A documentary called ‘Most Likely to Succeed’ came out 10 years ago, and it had a big impact on what I believe is important about learning, and what is important around HOW we learn. The doco essentially takes a deep dive into American education, and uses the example of High Tech High to show what is possible when we view learning differently. That High School has amazing academic success, huge retention rates of students…and is built around the idea of collaborative projects that are displayed on ‘Exhibition Night’ to their community. The doco is truly amazing, the messages around children having ‘Agency’ in their learning, having their ‘Creativity’ fostered, being taught to ‘Think Critically’ and all being done with ‘Collaborative’ teaching, and collaborative projects…you can draw a line from DPS towards High Tech High. The foundation principal there, Larry, delivers a heap of amazing wisdom during the film…but this is my favourite

People derive great satisfaction from creating something that wasn’t there before. When kids get that feeling it is transformative...I made this, and everyone is coming to look at it. - Larry Rosenstock

And by creating something he is meaning a cardboard diorama, or a maths equation, or understanding a text, or a piece of art, or an amazing metaphor, or the kupu for a new waiata…the ‘creation’ of knowledge via doing is what we are after, and having an audience gives us purpose.

We look forward to hosting you on the 29th August…and I do believe that this will be ‘transformative’ for our children.

Teacher Only Day - Monday 1st September

We will be having a second (and final) Teacher Only Day this term…please add Monday 1st September to your calendars.

We are able to have two teacher only days in 2025 to focus on teacher development and the new curriculum. In September we will be diving further into the new maths curriculum.

Thanks in advance for your support of this.

what's happening at Douglas park

illness

We are currently experiencing a significant increase in illness among the students in our schools. To help keep everyone safe and well, we kindly ask that you please keep your child at home if they are unwell. Keeping sick children at home helps protect other tamariki, staff and families, and supports quicker recovery for your child. Thank you for your understanding and support in keeping our kura healthy.

change of details

If you have moved house, had a change of phone number, or any other contact details of your child/children have changed, could you please let us know at the school office by calling in to see us, phoning us on (06) 370-0189, or sending an email to office@douglaspark.school.nz

writing learning - hayley's homeclass

This term, we have been enjoying our science learning. Here are some of our observations linked with our recent writing learning about joining sentences using 'and' or 'but' and using onomatopoeia.