Week 6 NEWSLETTER

from the principal

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

Two contrasting events happened to me last week…that had me start the week upset and annoyed, and finish the week pleased and happy.

The NZ Herald ran an article on our Minister of Education on the 18th of August outlining her thoughts on the system, her thinking around the changes currently being made and her aspirations. But among it all was a little quote: “We have had decades of an experiment, a liberal experiment, of a child-centred, play-based, project-based, open-plan experiment that has not worked”.

Whoa, hold up…I had to read it a few times, as she was basically describing this school….our beautiful Douglas Park School, and saying that what we do ‘hasn’t worked’ and that somehow we are a failed experiment. It really upset me…then annoyed me…so I started emailing her office asking for a phone call (she had said in the same article that she is happy to speak to Principals). After several days (and several emails) I got my call, and got my opportunity to explain that we are a child-centred, play-based school inside four open-plan learning environments… and that what we do works. I was able to speak to our academic data (which is great), alongside our strengths in Creativity, Digital Technologies, our Enviro mahi, our cultural development…and the big external recognition we got at the end of last year via the TVNZ Good Sorts Clip, and becoming an Apple Distinguished School. We were never going to agree/change minds…but she did say there would be schools who are play-based etc doing well, and it sounded like DPS was one of them. I finished the conversation by giving her an open invitation to visit whenever suited to see how powerful learning can take place inside play, inside projects, and inside open-plan learning spaces.

Then… last Friday I was down to Wellington with a group of Principals and for part of the morning we visited Lynker Analytics and Peek Robotics. Lynker is a data science and mapping company that uses AI and machine learning technologies. They work on projects such as measuring and predicting coastal erosion, tracking invasive tussock plants, the impact of beaver dams and even creating fish measuring software for fisheries. Peek have built a little autonomous robot tractor that can be set up as a data collector, mower, sprayer or all sorts. They are aiming for orchards, vineyards, golf courses and possibly even schools as places to deploy these. Clever machines had all sorts of sensors, cameras and used AI to complete its tasks. Both the companies worked in open-plan environments, and actually shared spaces even though they were two different firms.

Part of the visit was a discussion…and at some point Maths and Education came up, and the engineers were asked their thoughts on preparing children to thrive in a future where AI tools are common. Both the AI company and the robotics engineers were very clear about their thoughts around maths. Logic, reasoning, problem solving and passion...and done through real life application. One engineer even said...we can't let the system beat the passion for numbers out of kids. Another said that children needed more time to ‘play’, to be creative. Another had concerns that maths was pushed too hard, too early and this turned people off from exciting career possibilities. A robotics engineer said from a primary school age he loved building things from cardboard. They spoke about needing to learn and work with diverse groups. All were concerned that Maths and Science has to be fun, engaging and we have to be better at keeping our female students interested. As I sat there listening I had the same thing happen to me as when I read that Herald article…Whoa, hold up…they were basically describing this school….our beautiful Douglas Park School, and saying that what we do does work, will work and that somehow we have to keep this ‘failed experiment’ going.

Two contrasting events - but the same message. What we do here at DPS works, is powerful, and is preparing our children well for all the possibilities their futures hold.

Digital Creativity in Action

I continue to be impressed with both the Creativity and the Digital Capabilities our children have. Here are some cool examples this week, from some of our youngest learners in Rimu. Great stuff Henry, Max and Hazel!

Netball

Well done to the DPS Magic and the DPS Pulse Netball teams. Both played in their grade finals on Tuesday, Magic in the Year 5/6 Final, and Pulse in the Year 7/8 Final. Unfortunately the Magic came away with a loss to Lakeview, but the Pulse won their Year 7/8 grade! Awesome work from some awesome kids, with two awesome coaches in Mr Blue and Renee.

Science Roadshow

We hosted the Science Roadshow at DPS this Monday and Tuesday. Schools from around the region had sessions, as did our Rātā and Kahikatea teams. This is an amazing opportunity for the children to get hands on with a massive range of science equipment, experiments and experiences.

Thanks to Mr Harkness for all the mahi bringing the Roadshow here and giving us (and the town) a great learning experience.

Thanks!

Big thanks to the DPS staff…I’ve actually been off work unwell all week, still yet to make a return. It is nice knowing the school is in capable hands, and that the great DPS learning experience carries on. Cheers team!

What's happening at dps?

Use our fundraising page - https://daffodilday.org.nz/o/d-park-school

Our fundraising page allows friends and whānau to donate online - each donation is immediately added to our fundraising total so you can watch it grow.

Make a bank transfer

Here are the account details for your local Cancer Society:
Name: Cancer Society Wellington Division
Account number: 06-0689-0126104-00
Reference: 1661

Your funds will not reach your local Cancer Society or be added to your grand total online if these details are missing.

On Friday 6th of September, as part of the Council's Welcoming Week 2024, we are going to have a Cultural Dress up day.

Students can come to school in their cultural dress. For kiwi kids, this can look as simple as wearing black clothes or the colours from our flag! We are excited to see the wide range of cultures at our kura represented! There is no cost for this day. It is just an opportunity to celebrate the diversity here at DPS!

Celebrated across the globe, Welcoming Week is an annual campaign that connects neighbours of all backgrounds through community-informed activities and events. Welcoming Week provides communities the opportunity to publicly proclaim welcoming values, foster a mutual understanding between immigrants and non-immigrants, and build a deeper sense of belonging for all.

Writing - whaea deb's homeclass

‘’I'm done with this family’’ Poppy screams with anger as she packs her bags.

‘’I beg your pardon Poppy’’ her mum yells back.

‘’I'm running away’’ Poppy yells. A couple hours later poppy climbs out her bedroom window while her parents are asleep. She heads to her tree house. Her parents are rich and they spoil her. The tree house is painted green inside it has a working kitchen, living room, bedroom and bathroom.

‘’Finally peace and quiet’’ Poppy exclaimed. The next morning her mum comes to wake her up but remember Poppy’s in her tree house…..

Grace McPhail

Worst Day Ever In History

One stormy,rainy miserable day when the forest was dripping with raindrops and the roads were flooded nothing was seen that day.Not even a single bird.Then at mid day there was a big hail storm but the hail was as big as golf balls!Splash!Swoosh!The road had ice everywhere.Then there was a thunderstorm .That day was the worst day in history.Boom!Bang!The thunderstorm was not going to stop.It went all day and night.The next day there was no power.

Hugh Henderson

I went to pick up Hugh and go get a Honda dirt bike 110 Manual it goes 50. I’m getting it because I’m putting 1500 caps on the trees. at Hugh‘s house and picked him up and drove to the dealership and got the motorbike that sounded like vroom vroom Hugh jumped on my bike and drove it up on the trailer and he did it perfectly.

Henry Gardiner

Once upon a time there was a school in the desert but only six kids went there though.When they were in maths one kid raised her hand.

“Miss Addie’’said Willow.

“Yes,”said Miss Addie.

“Can I please go to the bathroom?’’

“Ofcourse” she said kindly.

“Thank you”.

Willow got up and started walking to the bathroom.

“Ahhhh” Willow screamed.

She ran back to class shaking like she saw a ghost,But she saw something worse!.

“What happened?” Miss Addie asked

“Umm umm I saw someone with a gun”She said.