Week 8 NEWSLETTER

from the principal

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

When our new New Zealand Curriculum is described by the Minister she often describes it as ‘knowledge-rich’. A document full of the things students need to know (not bad at all on the surface). However the description is often followed by her saying that there has been too much focus in the past on dispositions (things like our Core Beliefs of Collaboration, Creativity, Learner Agency and Critical Thinking), too much focus on skills and not enough on ‘foundational knowledge’. It is often framed as a choice…focus on dispositions and skills, or focus on knowledge…have kids ‘do stuff’, or ‘know stuff’.

Like many either/or choices…it is silly to think you have to choose between these two things.

We have a big focus at school of kids being able to ‘do stuff’. Our Play/Maker/Inquiry learning all drive towards the children being able to do things, make things, share things. I reckon we are pretty decent at it even…being chosen as an Apple Distinguished School highlights this, your children are excellent at creating things (being able to ‘do stuff’) using digital devices. 5 year olds animating through to Year 6’s 3D printing and coding.

But, we also have a focus on children ‘knowing stuff’. Our staff are excellent in the core learning areas of reading, writing and maths…the very areas our new Minister wants to see improvement in. Of course we can improve, should improve and will improve in those areas at DPS…but again, I think we do a pretty decent job. The school Leaders were out together yesterday to look at our data, and it tells a super positive story. This year we have achieved:

Reading - 81% Kua Mārama or higher (children working at an expected level or higher)
Writing - 84% Kua Mārama or higher
Maths - 83% Kua Mārama or higher

That's pretty decent…and while it isn’t quite reflected in that data, our Maths testing (using PAT Maths…a standardised test that the government wants all schools to use)...the testing results from this term are the highest I’ve seen in my 20+ year career.

So…not only do our kids ‘know stuff’ (the results are great!), they can also ‘do stuff’ - all their creative mahi they have done across the year. Knowing stuff and doing stuff…a great combo, and a great way to sum up our learning program at DPS.

Bike Track!

Wow! I knew that the bike track was going to be amazing…but it is only when you see the kids on it in real life that you get the sense of how epic a resource we now have at school. My biggest win so far is seeing some children tackling the track…nervous at first, but then really getting into it. Some of our youngest, and some of our oldest…challenging themselves, Daring to Dream. The track is available for the children each day…and at the moment we are rostering on the junior teams together (Rimu and Kōwhai) and the Seniors (Rātā and Kahikatea). They alternate morning tea and lunchtimes, so even those children with lunchtime sports/cultural commitments can still have a go each day. Our rules are pretty minimal at this stage…wear a helmet, wear shoes, and ride in the same direction. We aren’t using it before school…but it is fine to use after school, and on the weekend if you want. Just please respect it…particularly the areas we are now trying to grow grass on (please just stay on the asphalt).

I’d like to take this chance to thank the Board of Trustees…Adam, Anita, Nadine, Simon, Anita and Helen…for putting this resource into the school. It came with a decent price tag, but now we have something that will endure for an age and bring a lot of joy, to a lot of children (and some adults I’m sure!).

Final Celebration Time

Tuesday next week, 10am at the Wairarapa College Hall. Please come along and celebrate the year with us! The kapahaka get a chance to shine, as does the choir during the song the whole school sings. We get to look back at the year through some of the beautiful photos we’ve captured, and go back in time to see our Year 6’s as young kids first starting their school journeys. I get to ramble on about something…promise I will keep it short…and of course we give out the classroom awards, and all the major sporting, cultural and leadership awards.

Key Dates for your Calendar

Tuesday December 10th: Final Celebration Time. 10am at the Wairarapa College Hall
Thursday December 12th: Teacher Comments and 2025 classes posted in HERO
Friday December 13th: School finishes for the year at 12.30pm
Wednesday January 29th 2025: First day of the school year