15th February, 2016                                                                                 Letter 2

Kia ora koutou,

Welcome to Ranginui, the senior school of Russell Street School.  We acknowledge that for some of your children, stepping into the “seniors” is a big leap.  There is an adjustment phase as students are finding their place.  At the heart of this is the development of self-esteem through overcoming challenge.  Let’s all work together to encourage and listen to our children / learners.

Knowledge, Strategy and Real World Application

This image was introduced to us from Dinah Harvey (our Maths Advisor) to show how knowledge, strategy and real world application fit and work together.  This guides our decisions around the design of learning at RSS (in all curriculum areas).  In a traditional school framework (some may say, “In my day...” or “Back in the day...”), much of the learning was based around the knowledge part of the diagram. The world view on knowledge has changed considerably in recent years.  We are not saying that knowledge is not important, it is.  But it is equally as important as strategy and real world application.

Home Learning and Knowledge

As part of the home learning in the senior school, we are sending home a “Number Knowledge Passport” with the intention that number knowledge will support strategy and real world application during school hours. Number knowledge is what we have learnt how to ‘work out’ (as a strategy) - now we need to KNOW it!  This takes lots of practise in a range of different ways.  Each learning intention needs to be revisited frequently to ensure it truly has become knowledge, not just known for a few days.  We are asking for your support with this.  The passports are easily set out with the learning intention and an example.  Please remember that this is just an example.  As students develop in maths, the range of knowledge that students needs to know (within a few seconds of being asked) grows considerably.  The more they just ‘know’ the easier it is for strategy and real world application to develop.  

Home Learning and Reading

In the senior school, the focus of reading moves from “learning to read...” to “reading to learn.” There is a shift in mindset however, our goal is still the same: to create habitual readers. We believe that reading at home should first and foremost be enjoyable. The more you can do to foster a love of reading, the better! For this to occur, it is imperative that children get to know different authors & genre that they enjoy. This is certainly the focus when we visit the school library each week. Often the books that come home will be self-selected. This material will often not be “hard” - it should be borderline “easy” so that they can “practice” reading (similar to the practising maths number knowledge passport). We do ask our students to keep a reading log to record what they are reading. Please find attached a wonderful guide to help your child in this next phase of their reading journey.

Striving for excellence and setting high expectations

Ranginui are working hard to set high expectations around core learning routines.  And this takes time.  If a builder cuts corners when building a house, sooner or later that house is going to fall down.  It is the same in the classroom; these initial weeks are the building blocks for future learning.

We are really looking forward to further making connections with you and your children and their learning, extending and supporting them.  We look forward to meeting you at Meet the Parent.  We love comments on our class blogs so please remember to drop us a line every now and then :)

“Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari taku toa he toa takitini”

“My achievements are not mine alone, they are the achievements of many”.

Cited, He Reo Tupu, He Reo Ora (http://hereoora.tki.org.nz/Unit-plans/Unit-6-Nga-tau)

Nga mihi nui,

Nic, Elly, Troy, Nic, Rosie, Joy and Brenda.