Spotlight on Learning

In the Term 2 Holidays, Andy McFarlane from ETap came and spent a day with our staff looking and learning about how to use Spotlight as a learning, teaching and assessment tool.
We have been looking into what digital platforms best suit our pedagogy and practice at Kaimata, and what ETap had to offer sounded very intriguing and we were keen to learn more about the Spotlight tool.

We quickly discovered that Spotlight was the missing link in our collaborative teaching and planning and would be an amazing tool to use for assessment also.
Andy ran a great session, and we all learned at the same pace, so no one missed anything. Tanz, Jen and I decided that we will use Spotlight for our teaching, planning and assessment from Day One, Term 3. We loaded our groups and modelling books to the platform, ready to go!
We also made the decision that we will not be having the students use Spotlight, as they are still getting used to signing in and out of Google Docs! This would be too much for them, and the tools Spotlight offers doesn't suit our kids digitally...YET.

Link to staff notes on Spotlight training

SO WHAT? (Week 2, Term 3)
Spotlight has been a great tool. We have gotten rid of using Google Sheet as a planner, now have digital modelling books and have timetabled in our first assessment for the term to happen next week! It is working well having all of our data and timetables, planning etc...in one place. I believe we will continue to grow our digital fluency in Spotlight more and more. It has already had a positive impact on our planning and teaching. I am looking forward to seeing how our end of year reporting will look!

Invitation to speak at NPPA Conference

Below is a copied email inviting me to speak at the NPPA about my studies around Change Leadership and Contemporary Education.

--------- Forwarded message ---------
From: The Principal <principal@rahotu.school.nz>
Date: Mon, Apr 1, 2019 at 10:27 AM
Subject: Speaking Opportunity for Nat L
To: Richard Anderson <principal@kaimata.school.nz>

Hi Richard - wondering if Natalie would be interested in being part of the Pecha Kucha korero at the NPPA. Here is the blurb:

This year the NPPA Conference will be held in New Plymouth at the Devon Hotel on Thursday 9 and Friday 10 May.

Our topic is based around “Be the Change, make the difference.” We have Dr Paul Wood, Lane Clark, Whetu Cormick, Professor Susan Morton, Health Chittenden and Alexia Hilbertidou presenting this year.

We are also wanting our Taranaki schools to share their journeys about change and the impact this has had for all stakeholders. To celebrate the great things happening around our region.

This year we are running a Pecha kucha speaking format on the Friday morning from 8.45 – 10am and was wondering if Natalie is interested in presenting based around her strength and passion - Educational Leadership. (Studies etc)

Pecha Kucha speaking is very scripted in that 20 slides are presented within 20 seconds. I’ve included the information below for consideration.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32WEzM3LFhw

Have a think about it, give me a ring or drop me an email if you require any additional information.

Brigitte Luke

Principal

Rahotu Primary School

Phone 067638658

Cell: 027 3115606

Link to my PowerPoint Presentation

Notes to support Presentation

SO WHAT? 

Having this experience was amazing. I love presenting and thrived from the feedback I received. This experience has made me feel confident enough to speak again, and to put myself out there more often towards helping schools with their Contemporary Learning Pedagogy.

WST Kahui Ako 2019

2019 Kahui Ako 'Mothership'

Notes from our Mothership.

SO WHAT?
Being a WST has been an experience that I have loved. It has exposed me to a variety of research and opinions around education and has given me the oppotunity to support other Inglewood teachers and school in the area of inquiry.

Cultural Pro-activeness Kahui Ako Day: Damon Ritai

Keynote Speaker for the day at Inglewood High School was Damon Ritai, who spoke about te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Attached is a doc that narrates, curates and evaluates the learning that took place.
Keynote-Damon Ritai

We then participated as a staff and collaboratively added to a doc that summarises our learning from the day

Mini Conference

So What?
This has supported my reflection on myself as a teacher. I need to keep reflecting on my use of te reo in the classroom, keep updating my knowledge and keep searching to find stories from our community.
Talk with Rich about having a marae visit and speak to locals about the stories of Kaimata.

Empower

I am leading the staff through Empower to enhance our teaching and learning through empowerment, with an end focus on linking it to the Digital Technologies Curriculum.
This reading and PD will support our teachers on their pedagogical learning journey.

Empower. Kaimata Staff PD 2019

SO WHAT?
The outcomes from leading this PD has honestly blown me away. The entire staff have embraced the book and taken snippets from it to add to their own 'professional toolbox'.
It has assisted in the growth and development of our pedagogy at Kaimata.

Local Impact

I have been approached by Local Impact (Martial Arts and Educational Tutors and Alternative Education Providers) in New Plymouth to help design their assessment and teaching criteria for Term One.
This has been a very valuable experience of which I have really enjoyed. I am looking forward to working with them closely over the year.

Here is a copy of the initial email:

Hi Nat,

I was wondering if you could help me.  We have our after school tutoring starting in Term 4 that runs in line with our Kenpo classes.  So far we have some really lovely retired teachers to do the tutoring, but I am in need of an ‘initial assessment’ that we could do for the child at the beginning of the term to ascertain their weak areas/areas to focus on. 

Is there somewhere, where I could find an assessment for each year level for Primary School (and Intermediate and Secondary School)?  An initial assessment that is broad enough (but not too lengthy) that will identify areas needing work?

Your help would be really really appreciated!

Thanks, hope you are enjoying the holidays J

Kind Regards

Tessa Wallacehoskin

Managing Director

LOCAL IMPACT TRAINING CENTRE

16 Oropuriri Road, Waiwhakaiho

New Plymouth TARANAKI

Ph 027 224 6827

Draft Tutoring Checklist

Growing for Good/Beehive

Acceptance Letter
At the end of 2018, I applied for a grant from Countdown's Growing for Good campaign to support us in growing and developing the beehive that Marie Doorbar donated to our school last year.
So far we have tow frames of bees and three beekeeping suits. The suits were dontated by the PTA. We currently have a group of 4 children who look after the hive with Marie.
I am now hoping to develop this further with purchasing more equipment and tools for the beekeepers, fruit trees for the bees and then progress onto making, marketing and selling honey.
Watch this space!