Welcome to our new entrants and their families and to Ms Joanna Nelson, their teacher, in R16. 

Welcome back to everyone else!

The Building Programme

Now the building is “growing” out the ground, it is very exciting. Children and adults alike are fascinated watching the trucks, cranes and diggers at work. In the next two weeks we should see ribs and floor spans installed, precast installation begun, verandah foundations started and more block work happening.

#L2L Learning to Learn at St Joseph’s

Teacher actions promoting student learning

“While there is no formula that will guarantee learning for every student in every context, there is extensive, well-documented evidence about the kinds of teaching approaches that consistently have a positive impact on student learning. This evidence tells us that students learn best when teachers:

• create a supportive learning environment
• encourage reflective thought and action
• enhance the relevance of new learning
• facilitate shared learning
• make connections to prior learning and experience
• provide sufficient opportunities to learn
• inquire into the teaching–learning relationship.”

An extract from the New Zealand Curriculum

 

We celebrate, that at St Joseph’s, learning is what life is all about, regardless of our age, stage and capability. We believe that we do promote student learning by the actions listed above.

 

As one indication of the success of our students in their learning, I publish below, the strengths identified by us at the end of last year:

Areas of strength in relation to National Standards

WRITING

• 81.2% out of 267/329 of students at St Joseph’s School Takapuna are progressing and achieving in line with the National Standards in Writing
• 96% 48/50 children, by the end of Year 6, have achieved  at or above the standard
• 100% of Pacifika students 8/8 are achieving at or above the standard
• 71.5% of Maori students 5/7 are achieving at or above the standard
• 86.4% of Asian students 108/125 are achieving at or above the standard
• 77.3% 146/189 of European/Pakeha are achieving at or above standard
• 88.5% of girls 138/156 are achieving at or above showing an improvement of 6.5% since 2012

READING

• 94.2% 310 out of 329 of students at St Joseph’s School Takapuna are progressing and achieving in line with the National Standards in Reading with 99 students achieving above and 211 achieving at the National Standard
• 100% of Pacifika students  8/8 are achieving at or above as compared to 88.9% in 2012
• 85.7% of Maori students 6/7 are achieving at or above as compared to 75% in 2012
• 94.4% of Asian students 118/125 are achieving at or above
• 93.1% of boys 161/173 are achieving at or above
• 95.5% of girls   149/156 are achieving at or above

 

 

 

MATHEMATICS

• 88% – 293 out of 329  students at St Joseph’s School Takapuna are progressing and achieving in line with the National Standards in Mathematics and Statistics with 70 students achieving above and 223 achieving at the National Standard
• 100% of Pasifika students  8/8 are achieving at or above as compared to 88.9% in 2012
• 89.6% of Asian students 112/125 are achieving at or above
• 89.5% of European Pakeha 169/189 are achieving at or above
• 87.9% of boys 152/173 are achieving at or above
• 90.3% of girls   141/156 are achieving at or above

 

 

This week, Te Reo started again on Monday. This term only Rooms 1-6 are having the lessons. Next year we will look at extending it again across the whole school, if possible. Kapa Haka is in full swing with students preparing for the Onepoto Festival. A Site Meeting for the building project was held on Wednesday and everything is pretty much on schedule. The Waterwise AGM was attended by Alice Simmers, Erika Bon and myself on Wednesday night. Congratulations to Rodney Horne and Kim Sparks who are now qualified Waterwise instructors. Anyone who is interested in training next year, please contact Alice   alices@sj.school.nz

Thursday night a number of our Pasifika families met with me and with Ingrid Young who was representing the Board of Trustees. I attended a NEAL Breakfast Meeting on Friday morning looking at support that can be provided for schools in relation to the use of digital devices in teaching and learning. Of course, Years 4-6 have started swimming lessons; everyone has started the Keeping Ourselves Safe Programme and our Touch Rugby Teams have started their training. Thank you to the parents who have volunteered to coach and manage the teams.

 

Being a disciple means being constantly ready to bring the love of Jesus to others, and this can happen unexpectedly and in any place: on the street, in a city square, during work, on a journey. (127)

 

Who did you meet this week? How did you show Jesus’ love to them?

 

 

Ka kite ano!  Have a great weekend.

Phil