It was wonderful to be blessed with a glorious day on Monday and welcome our students and families safely back to school. The students have enjoyed being back together and beginning to explore our new learning inquiry for the term - Tūrangawaewae - the Universe.

Our Term 4 R.E.A.L. focus is Whakaaroha - Mercy.  This is an important gospel value for the children to reflect upon and explore as they continue to learn to express acts of compassion, manage their friendships and relationships especially when things get a little difficult and challenging, and show kindness and forgiveness so that we all can work together happily. 

The teaching staff held an excellent Teachers Only Day last Friday where we focused on two very important educational areas of our Local Curriculum: Culture & Charism and the Digital Technologies Curriculum.  We reviewed and discussed our Culture & Charism and how it could be reflected in the further development of St. Anthony’s Local Curriculum. We focussed on asking ourselves ‘What makes St Anthony’s, St Anthony’s?’  This was an exciting day, full of discussion, reflection and thinking. We have now begun an implementation plan going forward which includes parent and student voice. Over the next few months, we will be asking for your wisdom and ideas so that we are providing the best learning and teaching environment possible for your children. 

In the Ministry Resource ‘Leading Local Curriculum’ one principal describes this opportunity as “I see the (national) curriculum as the bones and what schools have to do is put the meat (the muscles) around them and then get the heart pumping.” During the same day, we focused also on Digital Technologies Curriculum. Much of our discussion focused around the student needs and the key findings that Anne Dowden shared with us from the recent Whānau Survey to inform our day. The completed survey findings will be presented to the Board of Trustees at the annual planning meeting next week.  We thank Anne for this presentation as it helped inform and shape our decisions. As we continue to review Digital Technologies Curriculum over the term, we will once again be seeking your feedback as with student, whānau and staff voice, it will then truly become our curriculum. 

Junior Block
Today we had our next site meeting and you will all be delighted to know that the junior block is looking amazing! The joinery is in and it is truly going to be a very exciting learning space for one and all. 

Thanks

Our grateful thanks to all those who supported us to farewell Jen last term. The afternoon was a great success and we really appreciated your support! My thanks too,to the staff who have worked hard this week to ensure a good start to the term for all. 

God Bless

Denise Johnson