Key competencies

 Key Competencies

As part of a general education, the New Zealand curriculum requires the teaching, learning and practising of five key competencies. The one Mr. Bach emphasises the most to students, as the key to all learning, is Self Management. Some students aren't learning because they struggle to focus, listen, carry out instructions, work independently for periods of time or understand the concept of time and place for different activities in life. The other four key competencies are Participating and contributing,  Relating to others, Thinking and Using Language Symbols and Texts.

Above - Room 6 show good self management skills during assembly.







Right and Below -
Room One students display the key competency of Participating and Contributing by taking part in assembly.

Library Time Room 6

 Room 6 - Library

Room 6 has its library time on Tuesdays from 11:45-12:30. As you can see there are lots of different choices made by students as to what they do at the library. The only condition is that it must involve books and children must read their own book for at least some of the time while they are there.

Student Lead Conferences - Photo Gallery

A selection of photos from students sharing their learning with their parents and caregivers at Student Lead Conferences, the week before last.

Google Apps - Room 6

Google Apps in Room 6

Below are two videos created in imovie by students from room 6 about our learning in using google apps. The top one is by Lexi and Laura and the bottom one by Nikita and Brooke. I was hoping to show these during the school assembly run by room 6 last Friday, but technical hitches got in the way. We have been using google apps more and more in room 6 this term. Google apps certainly looks like an excellent education opportunity for St Mary's students as we slowly move towards the digital classroom necessary for the 21st century learner.  

Middle School Humble Rice Lunch

  Middle School Humble Rice Lunch

Last Wednesday March 26th the middle school staff and students had a bowl of plain cooked rice for lunch. This was in recognition of those numerous children around the world who are less fortunate than us, and who only have one bowl of rice per day to eat. We asked for a gold coin donation from families to raise money for church organisations that aid the needy in the poorest countries.

When you are hungry a plain bowl of rice is actually delicious.

 Children were allowed more than one bowl if they were still hungry, but we just asked them to remember that the poor children from needy countries don't have this option.

We got great help from the teacher aides and some parents who prepared the rice and served it.

Poppy as enthusiastic as ever about everything.

St Mary's Swimming Sports 2014

 Swimming Sports 2014

The swimming sports were a huge success last Thursday with the day proving quite mild early on for swimming and generally not too hot. The children were well behaved and in good voice for most of the day. Thursday eventually heated up to be a bit of a scorcher. Only a few minor injuries were to be reported by Mr. Bach the First Aid Monitor. Thanks to Mrs Gaston and all the other teachers and parents who helped make this a fantastic swimming day. Have a look below at a selection of the photos that Mr. Bach took throughout the day.