Principal's Message
Naumai e te whānau o te kura St Anthony's Tēnā Koutou Katoa
Dear Parents and Caregivers
It has been fantastic to connect with you during 3Way Conferences this week. This important reporting procedure, in which the student is actively involved in the learning and reporting process, is consistent with the characteristics of effective assessment in The New Zealand Curriculum. At St Anthony's, we are passionate about students taking an active part in their learning, progress and achievement and we thank you for your attendance and support. If you have any feedback regarding the way our 3Way Conferences are run, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me.
Innovative learning and teaching for a future-focused education
You may recall reading in a previous school newsletter which mentioned our teachers engaging in an Innovative Learning Practice 20-week course this year. Our professional learning has been facilitated by CORE Education and we are very close to the finish line! In 2018, we were very lucky to have successfully applied to the Ministry of Education for a Professional Development Grant and we chose to use some of the funding to engage in this future-focused education course.
During the course, we have been exploring our 'why' and engaging in elements of innovative learning practice, curriculum, assessment and environments. This has been great timing with our local curriculum review as well as our temporary and renovated Junior Block spaces. You will see new initiatives come to life, now and in the future, to increase engagement and connection with whānau, and students taking more ownership of their learning including having more say in what they learn. An example of this is the Junior Syndicate's sharing of student writing with whānau on Friday mornings. Thank you to Jeannine Winton for organising this new and important initiative.
I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the teachers for their commitment to this valuable course this year. They have put in a huge amount of effort, their engagement has been impressive, and it is a testament to the strong team and quality teaching staff we have here at St Anthony's.
Tui Camp: Teapot Valley, Nelson 26-30 August
From boating to skiing.... to flying and climbing.... team building, excitement, building confidence, growing and learning.... and making new friends with Holy Cross Miramar who we are sharing the camp with....
Next Monday, our Year 7/8 students, teachers and parent helper are travelling on the Ferry for a week at Teapot Valley in Nelson. We wish our Tui campers a fabulous time at their senior camp!
Thank you to everyone who has supported our students through fundraisers such as purchasing chocolates, fudge, sausages, roti and beeswax wraps - we are extremely grateful for your support of our students and their families.
Thank you to Denise Johnson (DP) for all her work organising this exciting camp experience for the Year 7/8 students. We know Tui will have a very memorable and enjoyable time together, and we look forward to hearing all about it on their return to school in Week 7.
Ngā manaakitanga
Jennifer Ioannou
PRINCIPAL