Week 4 NEWSLETTER

The other reason, the more important one, is the work we have been engaging in over the last couple of years around relationship building, and the impact of that on learning.

This video below is a snippet of a talk from Nathan Wallis. As a whole staff we worked with Nathan last year, and I know many of you came to the parent evening we had here at DPS (he is simply amazing to listen to). He is one of the leading NZ experts in educating people about Neuroscience, but has a particular focus on child development in the early years. In the video (he dumps out a lot of information aimed at teachers) he mentions two crucial things:

• The Power of Relationships. The quality of relationship between teacher and student is super important, and something that the school takes great care in. I know many of you at the moment are sending important taonga/treasures to school, completing little surveys etc, as the teachers want to know more about your young person. The more we know, the better the relationship, the better the outcomes.
• Schools need to rethink how they are structured to try to make sure children aren’t changing teachers every year. This is something that DPS has done for a long time, always having composite year level classes (Year 3 & 4, Year 5 & 6 etc) allowing children to retain their teacher for 2 years. Many schools still have straight year level classes (Year 1, Year 2 etc) meaning children are reforming that crucial relationship yearly. Our shift to the new Rata and Kahikatea Year 4-6 structure reflects what Nathan is asking...to try to keep children with the same teacher for 3 years. This is a first for DPS, and so far we are really liking what we see and how it is functioning.

When we worked with Nathan the question was asked around Modern Learning Environments like DPS, where the children are in an open space with several teachers...is that a good thing? He thought it was provided some structures were in place...that the children did have a ‘main’ teacher (that Dyad he mentions in the video) and that they also build relationships with the other teachers. He likened them to ‘Aunties’..and that in these environments the children are lucky that they get that one powerful dyadic relationship with their main teacher, but if that teacher is away or changes...they still have the relationships with the ‘Aunty’ teachers...they still have adults they have that relationship with, that know them and care about them. Again, this is how we aim to be at DPS. Your children have their homeclass teacher...their dyad at school, but also enjoy the company of the aunty/uncle teachers in the space.

Naming Gear

Currently we have 340 students here at DPS...and each day a bunch of nearly identical things come into school, in particular the uniform and scooters. Going for a wander around just after school often produces several polar fleeces, hats and scooters that have been left behind. Those with names...easy to sort, those that are not named makes it a bit tricky. We do our very best, and any found uniform ends up in the office while we try and find the owner. Other gear may end up in our lost property (shoes, togs, towels...there was even a car seat there for awhile…) and scooters/bikes we put away as well.

Please name your child’s uniform, scooter, bike and anything else that they may bring into school. That would be much appreciated, make our jobs a bit easier and (potentially) save you a bit of angst.

Whānau Hui

Wonderful evening yesterday at school. We gathered, swam, ate, laughed and played for a few hours in that gorgeous sunshine. These termly Hui are a very informal affair, open to anyone (often mentioned in the newsletter in the lead up). We’ve done a range of activities, from having a speaker at school, driving to the top of Rangitumau, learning some Te Reo across the road at Te Rangimarie Marae and visiting an Eel farm. Keep an eye out for details of the Term 3 Hui.

Sport

Another year of DPS sporting success is getting underway, and once again a massive amount of children are getting the opportunity to learn new skills, meet new friends, challenge themselves and have a heap of fun while doing it. Big thanks to the staff for taking teams...an extra for sure, but provides so much. And also a huge thanks to all the parents involved in coaching this term, your effort is giving opportunity to our DPS Kids thank you.

We are so lucky here at DPS to have such an awesome group of people working with our learners! Each week we will have a korero with some of our staff to help you learn more about us! Feel free to stop for a chat when you see us around school.

March is Coming – Let’s Get Movin’!

We’re a Movin’March school and we can’t wait to make the most of this beautiful weather and encourage your child/ren to Walk or Wheel to and from school. Explore and check out the parents page on how to build active travel into your daily routine. This year we’ll be encouraging whānau to take part in the Parent Facebook competition (daily prizes plus one scooter to give away every week!) and the Share your Story competition which has weekly prizes (plus a family pass on Bluebridge Ferries!)

Why Movin’March?

Not only does walking or wheeling to school reduce congestion and chaos at the school gate, we also get to slow down and get some quality time with our tamariki. Walking or wheeling to school solo or with friends can be a real confidence boost and families get to do their bit for the environment!

How to make it work for your whānau

o Instead of driving right up to the school gate, why not drop off and pick up your kids at the Colourful painted Travel Pou and walk or wheel the last 500m or so to school and get your passport stamped at the crossing!

o Think about how you might get to and from school over March (and the rest of Term 1!) Check out Micro scooter’s safety tips or NZTA’s Hike it Bike it safety suggestions.

Our school will hold a Fancy Wheels Fancy Feet Friday on the 27th March where we invite all students to dress up their wheels or feet and walk or wheel – even for just this one day. Give it a go on WOW Family day and be part of our celebration!

More details will follow.