Literacy Observation

Fleur observed me teaching my accelerant writing group today.

Here is her feedback.

RE Inquiry

This was the report I submitted to the BOT this month, reporting on Self-Review in RE for 2019

February 2019 - December 2019 (ongoing)

1. Focus: How successfully are we facilitating an ongoing encounter with Christ at our school?
2. The Process

We began with a survey of parents at Term 1 Meet the Teacher Evening in February,

Our questions and responses were

1. What do you think our school does well to enable your tamariki to encounter Jesus and grow in relationship with Jesus?

*Fostering a relationship with Jesus through our teaching of the RE curriculum

2. What do you think we could do to improve your child's relationship with Jesus?

*key to full answers on next page

Findings: This whanau survey was very affirming for us in terms of our community identifying a range of ways in which we successfully facilitate an ongoing encounter with Christ for our ākonga, particularly through our classroom prayer, Masses and liturgies. The two areas for further scoping and development which we picked up on, were daily meditation and opportunities for our ākonga to reflect on their relationship with Jesus. 

3. How the outcome of this review is expected to enhance the Catholic Special Character of our school.

Using Daily Meditation to Facilitate an Ongoing Encounter with Christ.

Our first step after the initial whanau survey in February was then to ensure that daily meditation is up and running in classes each afternoon. Our focus for one of our RE Staff Meetings in February was around Christian Meditation and on 30 July (Term 3), Fr. Peter Murphy will facilitate another session on this with staff.

In Term 2 the DRS gathered teacher and student voice around how Daily Meditation is going. This was also a good opportunity for ākonga to reflect on their relationship with Christ.

On 19 July, 16 teachers attended the One Wise Man PLD Day, lead by Fr. Richard Leonard, with a rich focus around encounter with Christ.

On 30 July, before Fr. Peter begins his PLD about Christian Meditation, the DRS will show the staff the findings of our Meditation Staff and Student surveys from last term, so that they can celebrate and reflect on some of the successes and challenges so far as we move forward with Fr. Peter on this.

Findings of Staff Survey

All teachers are meditating with their ākonga three-four times per week. The amount of time the children meditate ranges from 2 to 5+ minutes. Older children are generally the ones who are meditating for longer. Here is some further feedback.

What do you find have been the benefits of Daily Meditation for you and your ākonga?	What are the challenges of Daily Meditation for you and your ākonga?	Do you think that non-classroom staff should be participating in Daily Meditation also?	Have you any further comments?
Settles students	Time on sportsday	If in class
Calmer	The children that disrupt others.	They do if present in the class.
Students settle well to learning after meditating. They have a positive attitude about it generally and are open to the benefits of meditation	Some of the boys really find it difficult to close their eyes and sit still.	Yes as it's in-keeping with our special character and good role-modelling.	Classes going to Sport in the afternoons should be aware the school is meditating, maybe hold off a few minutes or go quietly at 1:40?
I find that it settles the students straight after lunch and allows them to have time to focus on themselves and their own prayers.	Getting the children ready for meditation, once they have begun they proceed really well.	It is a really enjoyable and peaceful moment of the day that can benefit all people in or out of the classroom.
Settles students after lunch. For some specific students it allows them the chance to let go of things that have happened during lunch time	Students arriving late to class and coming in after meditation has begun.	Yes	It is great. Wish I had been using it long before this

Calming down after playtime, refocus ready for learning after lunch	Some students struggle to maintain sacred silence, fidgetting	Yes, if they are in the classroom they do take part
It makes them quiet.	The fact that we have no time to do our current curriculum so ends up being something that we have to squash in.	They aren't in our room then.	No thank you
Peaceful calm reflective students	The usual students who need transitioning after lunch can be disruptive as they still have "issues on top" that need dealing with before they are ready to meditate.	Sure
Relaxed students. sets up for great learning in the afternoon. Calms down children if they have been upset during lunchtime.	None now. Took a few weeks for the children to get used to sitting/lying down quietly and and bring still but are experts now.	That would be nice.
Nice chance to stop and be int he moment	fitting it in when we are so time poor and have so much to fit into our days - leaders/duties - kids all over the place - coming in at different times.	If it is expected of everyone - then yes I do	no thank you
Calming students after break	Having students arriving on time at mediation starts straight after lunch and not disturbing those who have settled.	Yes, If they are in the classroom with the students, otherwise Teacher Aides working or moving students in and out of the class disrupt the silence.	Most children are able to self manage themselves into settling into mediation.
an acknowledgment of 'kind acts' & respect for other's personel space - as Jesus would do. encourages a gentleness within the mood of the class often mediation reflection time is encouraged to share with others in their home has encouraged students to become involved in incorporating their ideas into their mediation time/theme	it is a learning process - of physical "stillness" and having to experience the "stillness of throught" - but I am always happy with involvement	should be their preference from an invite
Peaceful classroom, clam to start the afternoon after lunch time.	getting started can be a challenge depending on how the children have come in from lunch.	its a lovely time to reflect so wouldn't see why not. If we are wanting to do it as a whole school.

Findings of Student Meditation Survey 

(Scale of 1-5)

DMIC Visit - MATHS

Trevor visited (FROM DMIC MATHS) to model a DMIC lesson. The children were engaged and keen to share their thinking. The mixed-ability is interesting as the weaker Maths learners were learning from their peers. It was great to see the children take ownership; explaining, illustrating and justifying their thinking to the other groups.

I'm looking forward to having a go at using this problem-solving approach, although a bit daunted by it. I hope I will be able to take the children in the direction they need to go, picking up on the gaps that arise at the time.

The choir has been practising on Fridays at Morning Tea.

Here are the some of the Songs I have put on the Choir 2019 Google Classroom for the children.