School Newsletter - 13th September 2023

A Message from the Principal & Mr Forbes

Dear Parents and caregivers

I am currently attending the New Zealand Principals federation Conference in Queenstown. Over 550 principals from across New Zealand are participating in this annual event. 

The theme of the conference is to REIMAGINE REMARKABLE!, Kia Whakatōmuri te haere whakamua! This signifies a need to re-think, re-excite and re-imagine our mahi and create some new paradigms of thinking going forward. 

Of particular note is a keynote presenter Professor Pasi Professor Sahlberg. He is a Finnish educator and scholar known for his expertise in education reform and policy. While he is not from New Zealand, he has been involved in discussions and collaborations with New Zealand educators and policymakers. Professor Professor Sahlberg often emphasises certain principles that can contribute to improving education systems, which could apply to New Zealand or any other country. The key principles he advocates include:

Equity: Professor Sahlberg emphasises the importance of providing an equitable education system where all students have equal access to quality education regardless of their socioeconomic background, ethnicity, or other demographic factors. In the context of New Zealand, this principle aligns with the nation's commitment to the Treaty of Waitangi and the pursuit of educational equity for Māori and Pasifika students.

A Holistic Approach to Education: Professor Sahlberg often emphasises the importance of a broad, holistic approach to education that goes beyond standardised testing and focuses on developing students' well-being, creativity, critical thinking, and social skills. In New Zealand, this aligns with the broader educational philosophy that considers the whole child and values a well-rounded education.

Trust and Respect: Professor Sahlberg emphasises the importance of building trust and respect between teachers and students. He believes that creating a positive and respectful classroom environment is crucial for fostering meaningful relationships. When students trust and respect their teachers, they are more likely to engage in the learning process.

Student-Centred Approach: Professor Sahlberg advocates for a student-centred approach to teaching. This means tailoring instruction to the needs and interests of individual students. When teachers take into account students' backgrounds, abilities, and interests, it can lead to increased engagement and a more positive learning experience. We use the term Learner Agency at Kohimarama School.

Collaboration and Interaction: Professor Sahlberg believes that interaction and collaboration in the classroom are essential for engagement. This includes not only interactions between students and teachers but also among students themselves. Encouraging group work, discussions, and collaborative projects can help students feel more engaged in their learning.

Well-Being and Equity: Professor Sahlberg is a strong advocate for student well-being and equity in education. He believes that addressing issues related to student well-being, such as mental health and a sense of belonging, is crucial for sustaining positive teacher-student relationships and engagement.

Professional Development: Professor Sahlberg also highlights the importance of continuous professional development for teachers. When teachers have opportunities to enhance their teaching skills and stay up-to-date with best practices, they are better equipped to create engaging learning environments.

Policy and Systemic Changes: Professor Sahlberg's ideas extend beyond the classroom to education policy and systemic changes. He argues that educational systems need to prioritise factors like reduced standardised testing, increased teacher autonomy, and equitable resource distribution to support positive teacher-student relationships and long-term improvements in learning outcomes.

In summary, Pasi Professor Sahlberg's ideas emphasise the importance of trust, respect, student-centeredness, collaboration, well-being, and professional development in fostering positive teacher-student relationships and sustaining engagement in learning. These elements, when integrated into education policy and practice, contribute to the long-term improvement of learning outcomes.

At Kohimarama School we have the same principles to support our students' continued improvement and acceleration in learning. Our Kohimarama Way contains a number of elements listed above.

Kohimarama School continues to develop ways to ensure that we meet the needs of all our learners. This includes our work across hubs and single cell classes whereby we have;

Dedicated teacher relationship – Each student has a class teacher who is responsible for their pastoral care. The student to teacher ratio in hubs is the same as other classes at Kohimarama School ensuring the same or better level of attention and care.

There are multiple sets of eyes on each child – While they have a class teacher, all teachers in the hub environment take ownership for every child’s learning; meaning that each child’s learning needs are met, and they are supported to make the  next steps. Through professional dialogue between teachers, a clear picture of each child in the class is  formed.

Multiple learning modes - In a typical class/hub, student learning happens via targeted small group workshops, individualised activities, and collaborative opportunities to work across the class/hub with all of their peers.

Scaffolded approach that builds independence – Hubs provide a heavily scaffolded and supportive environment for students to develop greater agency and independence appropriate for their age. Typically, there is always a teacher roving while others take workshops or work individually with children. Students take responsibility for managing their equipment and developing their ability to complete independent tasks.

A focus on developing learner agency - Our learning environments allow for us to provide more learner agency, through selecting a level of challenge, preferred activity or learning experience.

Peer work to build collaboration and social skills – students  get to work across the whole year group, fostering relationships and building collaborative skills. This occurs in classes and hub environments. As a result, their social skills are strengthened as is their ability to independently problem-solve and investigate  solutions before requesting support.

Spaces to accommodate different learning styles and modes of learning 

Code of conduct to ensure each class/hub works effectively – Supporting the scaffolded approach, each class/hub develops their ‘way of working’ a bit like a code of conduct. It is an agreement between the student and the teacher about how they will work in different contexts. It covers things like noise levels and respecting different spaces. This has been very successful in helping students to become capable of working effectively in a variety of contexts.

Consistency by setting a deliberate hub rhythm - teacher develops a rhythm for the hub.

It has been wonderful over this week to make connections with the work of Professor Pasi  Sahlberg and the Finnish education system which is at the top of the OECD countries, and the way of being at Kohimarama School.Our learner design, focus on the learner and their agency etc. Congratulations to our learning community. Our way forward gives me hope and confidence in our students' ability to be able to succeed in any environment and be effective contributors to our world. 

Paul Engles, Principal

Sporting News and Achievements

Cross Country Assembly September 15

Our 1st, 2nd and 3rd placegetters in the 2023 Kohimarama School cross-country races, from all year levels, will be presented with certificates on Friday September 15 in the hall from 11.30am.

We will also be presenting all certificates received from the Bay Suburbs and Eastern Zone inter-school cross- country events.

AIMS Games

The 2023 Zespri AIMS Games were held in Tauranga from September 2 - 8, with 373 schools and nearly 12,000 participants competing across 25 sporting codes. Kohimarama School was successfully represented by 8 students across 3 sports:

Yachting- Optimist Class
We had a team of four sailors, who braved some chilly conditions:

• Hugh K and Ollie S made the gold fleet (16th & 17th out of 72 sailors) 
• Lara D and Cathy L sailed in the silver fleet (Lara was 10th & Cathy was 22nd)

(Hugh & Ollie’s combined score brought Kohimarama School up to fourth overall, agonisingly close to gaining a podium finish).

Cross-Country 

We fielded 3 runners who faced a challenging 3km course with wind, hurdles and water to contend with:

• Bella P placed 21st in a field of 115 Year 7 girls
• Isabel O placed 25th in a field of 139 Year 8 girls
• Henry T placed 36th in a field of 110 Year 8 boys.

Canoe Sport- Sprint and Slalom
Lucas O was our sole representative in this code and backed up his success in 2022:

• Lucas was 2nd in the Year 8 boys canoe sprint. 
  

He also won gold in the Year 8 boys mixed team canoe sprint event with his teammates Roarke from Northcross Intermediate and Noah from Whangaparaoa College.


Great results for our small, but well prepared and organised team. Many thanks to the parents who acted as coaches, managers and supporters. Your updates from the event and the photos were much appreciated.

Mr Forbes, Sports Coordinator

Blokes Breakfast is this Friday! Last day for tickets today! Buy via kindo

 Celebrating Kohi School Dads!  Blokes and kids come along to Blokes' Breakfast FRI 15 Sept 2023 7:30am-8:55am

1. COMPETITION ACTIVITY SHEETS entries close this THUR Morning latest. Kids collect sheets from the office, fill out and return to office. WIN Dad Village Coop Coffee Beans and a Pit Stop voucher worth $129.

2. Last day to buy tickets is Wednesday - on Kindo https://shop.tgcl.co.nz/shop/index.html

3.  VOLUNTEERS- Help pre cook bacon- BBQ + servers on the day - Please Sign up here, we really need this full in order to go ahead https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Aw-LT9AS5zimbSZaxVmqpaIVWG0T7AqC/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=114197572713662099422&rtpof=true&sd=true.

Music Opportunities 2023

We have two music specialists this year teaching piano or ukulele, guitar and drums.  If you are interested in finding out more please contact them directly.

Piano

• Rebecca Erskine -  bec.erskine@hotmail.com

Guitar, ukelele or drums

• Ben Jurisich - eastsideguitar@gmail.com

Kohimarama Kapa Haka Celebration

Yesterday afternoon the Kohimarama Kapa Haka put on a celebration afternoon to not only perform to our whanau and share what we have been learning this year, but also celebrate Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori. We started the event with a Whakatau which is a welcoming ceremony, and everyone took part in a hā mamao, which is a long distance hongi. This put us in a connected shared space to celebrate together. 

The fried bread (a Māori deep fried sweet bread) was a total hit, with almost every piece being covered in golden syrup and eaten with smiles. The seniors in the roopu (group) to the lead and introduced each waiata (song), giving some insight into its meaning, but also into why we choose to sing it. The Poi break half way through was a whanau hit! Students took extra poi out into the audience and we all sang, and swung our poi together. 

As the Kapa Haka tutors, we are so proud of the achievements of this roopu this year. They have worked so hard to learn many new waiata, and put on a fabulous celebration. 
Kia kaha nga tamariki, kia pai to waiata! Keep working hard children, great singing! 

Ngā mihi nui,

Kate Lawrence and Sarah Whitchalls

Colenso House Colour Day

Last week we had our second House Colour Day! This time it was Colenso's turn.

Check out the photos below and have a read of the thoughts of 2 of our amazing Colenso House Captains...

Why did you want to be a House Captain?

• Lalita - I wanted to be a House Captain to be a role model to younger children.
• Juella - I wanted to be a House Captain because I thought it would be fun to lead events and be a role model for the younger students.
• What is the best thing about Colenso House?  
  Lalita - The best thing about Colenso is our good attitude and sportsmanship.
• Juella - The best thing about Colenso is that everyone in our House gives everything a go and enjoys themselves while doing it.
  

What was your favourite part of House Colour Day?  

• Juella - My favourite part of the Colenso House Colour Day was seeing everyone supporting our House by wearing yellow and participating in the House Challenges to earn House Points for their House.
  

What piece of advice would you give next year’s Colenso House Captains?  

• Lalita - Have a good attitude and make sure to have good sportsmanship towards other Houses.Juella - Have a good attitude towards people in the house and be fair to everyone.

Leavers

As we begin our classroom planning for 2024, we ask those families who have made plans and have a student/s who will be leaving Kohimarama School at the end of 2023 school year to complete this form.  The last day of school is 15 December 2023.
Note: The form does not need to be completed for Year 8 students.
Many thanks for your support in assisting us with our advance planning.

Certificates & Awards

Congratulations to these outstanding students from Hillary Team and Snell Team:

• Room 11 – Damien L, Bella C, Chloe J
• Room 12 – Poppy M, Freya O
• Room 13 – Lilly R, Dario L
• Room 14 – Tymofii B, Kira U
• Room 15 – Bodie A, Tori E

• Room 18 – Estella D
• Room 19 – Jazlyn L, Alegra Z
• Room 20 – Jessica C
• Room 21 – Mattys N, Carl S
• Room 22 – Zoe M
• Room 23 – Marko N

Sports Results

Flippa Ball & Mini Polo Results

• Year 3/4 Kinas
  Loss 0-6. POD Ella A
• Year 3/4 Sharks
  Win 8-1. POD Emilia A
• Year 5/6 Blue Bottles
  Draw 3-3. POD Viggo H

Community Notices