School Newsletter - 7th August 2024
A Message from the Principal
Dear Parents
The recent PISA 2022 results underscore New Zealand's impressive performance in fostering creativity within mathematics. New Zealand ranks among the top five countries, demonstrating a robust educational framework that emphasises not only core academic skills but also creative problem-solving and innovative thinking.
Kohimarama School’s approach, as enacted through the Kohimarama Way and its emphasis on balanced curriculum and learner dispositions, aligns well with these results. The school’s focus on maintaining high achievement in mathematics, reading, and writing while also nurturing science, social studies, and the arts supports a comprehensive educational model. This model reflects the findings of the OECD’s report, which highlights the importance of integrating creativity into various aspects of the curriculum to enhance overall student outcomes.
Incorporating a balanced approach that values both traditional academic skills and creative development appears to be a key factor in New Zealand's strong performance. By fostering an environment that encourages creativity alongside academic rigour, schools like Kohimarama are contributing to a well-rounded education that prepares students to excel in both conventional assessments and innovative problem-solving contexts.
Education systems that performed well in creative thinking generally performed well in the other PISA core domains, with some exceptions Singapore, the best performing country in PISA 2022 mathematics, scored significantly higher than all other participating countries/economies in creative thinking (with a mean score of 41 points out of a total 60 points). Students in 11 other countries – Korea, Canada*, Australia*, New Zealand*, Estonia, Finland, Denmark*, Latvia*, Belgium, Poland and Portugal, in descending order – also performed above the OECD average in creative thinking.
The bottom line is that in New Zealand and at Kohimarama School we are equipping students with the creative thinking skills they will need throughout their life. We promote and develop creative thinking consistently and effectively across our school. Our teachers understand what creative thinking is, how students can develop creative thinking skills, and how their progress can be measured.
Our learning progressions explicitly with these goals in mind, can facilitate the development of creativity-supportive teaching and learning. We implement the following:
- Creating opportunities in the curriculum for students to engage in creative and/or interdisciplinary work;
- Encouraging accountability through monitoring and evaluation.
Our Progress and Achievement testing this year in mathematics produced these results:
It’s great to see Kohimarama School and New Zealand performing strongly in mathematics. The positive feedback about our students' performance as they transition from Year 8 to Year 9 underscores the effectiveness of our educational approach.
Such feedback validates the hard work and dedication put into preparing students not only to meet but exceed expectations. It also highlights the success of our curriculum in equipping students with strong mathematical skills, critical thinking abilities, and the creative problem-solving skills needed for secondary education.
In speaking about the creative, The Art Gallery is set to be a wonderful opportunity for students to show you their skill and ability. The timetable for visits is below.
This year we have an Artist in residence, and an old boy of Kohimarama School. Sean Boyd, will have a display of 3D art from recycled materials.
Sean has been working with groups of students overt the last two years in creativity, problem solving and imagination and some of the work that he has crafted with Kohimarama students will be on hand for you to see.
The school looks forward to seeing you next week at this event.
Paul Engles - Principal
The Kohimarama Way - Friendliness
“Friendship is accepting a person with all their qualities, good and bad.” - Mohanlal
Eastern Suburbs Zones Gymnastics Competition
Last week Alexa J and Zoe F competed at the annual Eastern Suburbs Zones Gymnastics Competition.
Alexa achieved 1st place in the Year 8 Girls, and Zoe 2nd place in the Year 7 Girls. Both girls will now advance to the Auckland Championships in a few weeks. We are so proud of these two girls and wish them well.
School Cross-Country
Our second major sporting event for 2024 is scheduled to take place on Wednesday August 7 at Madills Farm. If the weather on this day is not suitable, we will move the event to Thursday August 8.
Approximate race start times:
10.00am Year 7/8
| 11.00am Year 2
| 12.00pm Year 4
| 1.00pm Year 6
|
10.30am Year 0/1
| 11.30am Year 3
| 12.30pm Year 5
|
School Disco - Hollywood theme
- When: Friday 13th September
- Where: School Hall
- Tickets: $5 available on Kindo from Monday 2nd September until midnight Wednesday 11th September
- Junior Disco: Years 0-4 5.00 to 6.00 pm
- Senior Disco: Years 4 - 8 6.30 to 8.00 pm
- Snack and drink for all students who purchase a ticket
- No door sales & no sales from the office
School Art Gallery - Opening Night Tuesday 13th August @ 5.00pm - 7.00pm
Each of our students have created two pieces of artwork which will contribute to the School Art Gallery that will be on display from 13th - 15th August in our school Hall. You are warmly invited to come along to our Opening Night, which will start at 5.00pm with a student performance followed by viewing until 7.00pm. The Art Gallery will be open for viewing by parents and family members from 8.30 - 5.00pm Wednesday 14th and Thursday 15th August. Please come and enjoy our students' creativity.
Starship Fundraiser
Last Friday we had our student fundraiser for Starship. Students came wearing mufti and brought their favourite soft toy to join in on their learning. Thanks to your support we raised over $800.00 for this worthy organisation. Well done everyone!
Kohimarama School Book Fair 2024
Hello School Community,
It is super exciting to be hosting the Book Fair next week!
Thank you so much to those of you that have signed up to assist as cashiers. We still require some costume wearers as it was such a success last year with our younger learners and we believe this role is crucial in raising awareness of the Book Fair. The costumes are suitable for an adult or a tall student - if you’d like to know more please email Claire at clairefrazerhurst@gmail.com or you can sign up in the yellow spaces on the attached sheet (please don’t forget to include your mobile number).
Policies and Procedures
To see the Raising Concerns and Complaints Policy, follow the link below;
Community Notices
Offering singing, songwriting and beginner guitar lessons.
Email: mikaelacoughlan@live.com for details