May 25
Kia ora whanau,
I think the positivity buzz has been spreading throughout our school community. I have had lots of people talking to me about the changes at Raglan Area School and the impact that it is having not only on our students but on the whole Raglan community.
There are many things that foster good learning. Clear goals that are clearly understood by teachers, parents and children and a happy, safe and enjoyable learning environment are essential. Establishing and maintaining a strong learning culture is the ‘core business’ of this school. Parents/Caregivers have an essential role in this and we appreciate the positive support you provide for teachers throughout the year.
We want our students to be: “Effective learners and communicators who interact positively within a supportive environment”.
We believe students should be provided with:
– a secure foundation for the challenges of the future
– a broad range of skills and knowledge
– confidence in themselves and their abilities
– skills to live happily and successfully with others
Attendance
Yes we are still battling away at raising our whole school attendance statistics to the Ministry of Education target of 92%. This fortnight our attendance is 88.6%, which is 1% more than last fortnight.
Why is it so important to attend every day?
- Learning is a progressive activity; each day’s lessons build upon those of the previous day(s).
- Reading the material and completing work independently does not compensate for the loss of insight gained during class discussion, or the loss of competency acquired through explanation or supervised drill.
- Many classes use lectures, discussions, demonstrations, experiments and participation, as part of the daily learning activities, and these cannot be made up for by those who are absent.
- Regular student participation in daily classroom activities plays a significant role in a student’s school success.
Remember, regular attendance is necessary for success in school. Help ensure that your child has the best opportunity for success by making sure he/she is in school every day.
Raglan Area Whole School Open Day – Monday 29th June
Thinking about what Raglan Area School offers our students? Our Open Day is an easy way of getting an insight into a typical day in the life of a Raglan Area School student.
For all the NCEA results, glossy brochures and ERO reports available to parents when choosing a school for their children, one thing teachers, parents and experts all agree on is that you can’t beat an old-fashioned stroll around the schoolyard.
You can read a lot about a place, but from doing lots of work with schools over the years, the only way to capture the culture of the place is to visit. So please come down and be part of our afternoon and encourage as many people as possible to come along with you.
Ten tips for getting the most from an open day
- Take your childwith you – you need a child’s eye view as well as your own, and they’ll notice things you miss.
- Think about whether you find the open day chaotic, friendly, efficient or improvised? The organisation of the day’s events can give many cluesto the general running of a school.
- Pay attention to the studentsthemselves – do they seem happy and motivated? Do they speak positively about their teachers and school-life? Pupils are the best ambassadors for any school.
- Don’t make decisions based on individual teachers– they may have left by the time your child starts school.
- Don’t get too bogged down in the details – try to get a ‘feel’ for the school atmosphere. Write down your first impressions.
- Feel free to ask questionsif you want to, particularly of pupils – what do they think of the teaching – do they enjoy life at the school?
- Look at the work on display. Does it represent a broad range of ability? A school should value every child.
- Does the school offer extra-curricular activities– such as sports and clubs – so your child can develop their interests? This also shows that the teachers are motivated and enthusiastic.
Teacher Only Day – Friday 3rd July
School will be closed for all students on Friday the 3rd of July due to a Teacher Only Day. This is an opportunity to provide the teachers, as a group, with tailored professional development to meet the needs of the learners at Raglan Area School. The aim is to increase the quality of the teaching that is provided to the students and to ensure that the teachers are familiar with the most recent information on teaching practice.
Finally a few things that I am thankful for this fortnight.
I’m thankful to all the students who:
- go to class well prepared
- show care and respect for one another (Whakawhanaungatanga)
- strive for excellence and achievement (Poutama)
- follow the ‘no violence’ rule (Whakawhanaungatanga)
- participate and contribute (Poutama)
Have a great fortnight,
Bronwyn Haitana
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