Brain Ways Nathan Mikaere Wallis

In the 90's what we know about brain development grew by 300%.
The environment designs the architecture of the 70% of the brain, particularly while the brain is developing In the first three years. Once established it is VERY difficult to change!
The critical attribute for us in New Zealand is the development of the cortex which is home to higher thinking and empathy. A Prime Ministers report clearly identified SELF REGULATION as the key to solve our high delinquency rates as well
as obesity, suicide and prison rates.
A good nurturing relationship, physical activity, laughter and singing are the key attributes to grow the cortex and stimulate learning. Punishment, Inconsistency and love withdrawal are the enemies of behavior change.
Inappropriate behavior is a result of the background of the child. The best approach is calm the child, go down and use your face and calm voice, validate the emotion and exercise the cortex by stating clearly the behavior you expect.
Research is clear that children are best equipped for reading and writing from age 7 or 8 and the social dimension and love of story is the best way to go.
These new understandings have deep implications for our practice. It is amazing that educational change has worked against these new understandings. The question is how do we make change at Saint Paul's that will grow our children's brains.

Friends of Saint Paul's

Kia ora Team, I have attached the Friends of Saint Paul's( FoSP) meeting minutes from last evening. I want to let you know some of the background to one of the items. We had a good turnout from our core group, many of whom have done a fantastic 5 years service (and more) of really committed work. These guys are getting to the end of their time here at Saint Paul's and want to support the newer parents while they are still around. When the school was in a 'low' financially they raised a huge $25,000 and because of this and their continued efforts we are now in a stable position. However, we do need to continue to raise around $10,000 a year for the 'extra's' that aren't possible or appropriate from Government funding such as the planting we did at the recent working bee. A hall( arts space, gym, chapel, etc) is seen by the community in the yearly surveys as something needed and this will be our focus in the next five years. We need new blood. For a start our new chairperson is unable to continue because of work commitments.This role is the key to the groups success because they keep things moving along and work alongside helpers as an enthusiastic supporter and organiser. Some of the issues around the problem of attracting new members was discussed at the meeting: New parents are often both working and 'time poor'. They rightly prioritise time with each other and their families. Some of these parents might prefer to just pay a fee. Fundraising generally means your time and our money. New parents are unaware of the Friends group and perhaps don't appreciate the sense of belonging to the community that can come from this involvement. The Friends have a more important vital role in bringing the community together. There is a perception that the current group is a closed group. It is true they have a strong friendship because of their shared endeavour but they have been working hard to bring others on board and have even pulled away to allow room for new people. The meeting time may be difficult because of child care issues. This could be flexible and the first thing to consider for a new chairperson. The workload is seen as too demanding. We do have a very supportive community that always do and will continue to respond positively to being asked to help. The Friends wanted me to let you know the current situation to encourage involvement. The friends group is rewarding and vital for our school both socially and financially. If you have thoughts or ideas you want to share email me back, respond on the blog or facebook.

Our Soccer team!

Board Report Presentation

This is a presentation made for a Board of Trustees Meeting that gives a good summary of the thrust of our achievement goals and achievement results in 2011. It is useful to see

Effective Teaching Strategies by JBoy

Effective Teaching Strategies by JBoy

Enhancing the School Climate

ICT @ Saint Paul's- a reflection about the way forward

Scenario: The school developed a digital environment in Year’s 7 and 8 as a response to student losses to Intermediates in Year 6. We initially had 1 pod of 16 computer in use across the school. Funding was initially agreed to by the Friends of Saint Paul’s but the $11,000 commitment each year was too much for them to carry. The community were then asked to fund the pod and the cost was divided up amongst all families on a pay-for-use basis. Year 7/8 children has access during all their ‘academic’ time, so pay $150 a year. There has been an excellent response to date with up to 90% of parents paying this as part of their parent contribution. With additional support from the Parish we had two pods for three years. When the Parish funding stopped we moved to lease ipads for two years so that we could continue with the same number of machines at the same expense for the community. We are involved in a Ministry-funded contract over three years to develop home-school partnerships. Data projectors were purchased for most rooms with support from the Canterbury Community Trust. Students and teachers have come to rely on computers in a myriad of ways for teaching and learning. Anecdotally and in surveys we are seeing student engagement, particularly at a the Year 7/8 age where engagement rates usually fall away. 

The Issue

There is no doubt that there is change taking place on a huge scale because of the new technologies. A collapse of the manufacturing sector closely followed by retailing sector and with it loss of opportunities for employment. As a result the increasing requirement is for students with collaborative, creative, innovative and entrepreneurial skills to build a new economy.

The desire to develop these skills are expressed clearly in our strategic plan. 

We expect our students to be active, creative, engaged and inquiring learners

( Strategic Plan 2009)

There are two important parts to their development. The first and most important is a new way of teaching. The Ministry have funded a three year professional development project in the region. This has teachers currently creating class blogs to showcase the students learning to their communities and the world.

The school’s responsibility is to provide the best infrastructure we can for teachers to get on with connecting their students with a quickly changing world. 

Conclusion 

If our vision is to provide the best in the way of infrastructure I believe we have to make our goal 1 student to 1 device.  However there are conditions that are part of our Catholic Character: 

• The opportunities offered to some students must be offered to all ( including Year groups)
• We make provision for those who can’t pay

This is an ambitious goal that may take some time to achieve. If we agree that we want to give our children the best chance in an increasingly technological world we must aim high. A decile 1 school with a poor transient Polynesian population in Auckland is close to achieving this goal.  

There are many difficult issues to be resolved.  If we know where we are going our path will be easier to follow. 

Ideas for Implementation 

1. This document to be canvassed among teachers, board and if we agree on a clear vision, the community.
2. A public meeting to present our vision and what it might look like and get their feedback 
3. Start planning for new pedagogy. 

Comments and Ideas from the Management Team

1. We agree in principle.
2. We agree that the vision should dictate our decision making.
3. Professional Development around pedagogy is key to the process.  
4. What does it mean for the nature of schooling at Saint Paul’s?  ( Is it the end of the pencil and books? There will still be a need for the physical act of writing) 
5. It is happening. Could it be an optional item on the stationery list in 2012 ?
6. The staff need to discuss and develop their pedagogy in more depth, perhaps with the support of someone like e-time. 
7. Our community would need to be presented with a clear idea and vision of how it might look for their children. 
8. Year 5/6 need 5 computers available all the time in class now. 
9. There was a doubt expressed about the ability for a digital environment to retain Year 6 into Year 7. ( there is already talk of movement to other schools in the current Year 6) 
10. The need for access is greater from the senior end tailing off down into junior school. (Should this be the case?)

ICT Parent Response from 75 families:

We have just under 50% support for increased payment and the  purchasing option.