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Kia ora koutou,
It was so interesting to hear your comments about just how much there is for children to learn in the English and Maths Curriculum at the recent Tautoru Parent Workshop. You really got it! It has been an incredibly mind blowing amount of teachers to get their heads around to get to this point. A LOT of learning. Talk about cognitive overload!
It could be easier to dim the lights on other aspects of the curriculum like The Arts. It could be easier to forget about music, dance, drama and art with so much else going on curriculum wise.
What a disservice that would be to our children. We want them to try out something new, to sit in discomfort, to move, to groove, to get a bit dramatic and to express themselves in different ways. We also want them at the centre of the Arts Celebration - building on their other learning throughout the curriculum over the year.
"Guided by hands-on experimentation and personal reflection, students learn to convey emotions, ideas, and stories while exploring the unique elements, techniques, and tools of each discipline" (Ministry of Education).
I don't think we can underestimate the conveyance of emotions, ideas and stories as well as having lots of fun. Even for children that might not make best friends with 'the stage' it may just spark something that ignites in future years. Who knows! They are only young with the world at their feet!
Did you notice the joy on the children's faces, the huge amount of support, teamwork, zest and humility on display - basically all of the character strengths got a decent look in - hope, optimism - all there!
I often use this metaphor to explain our philosophy here - many of you will have already heard it more than once but it's a fitting one so I'll say it again! Imagine a small boat bobbing down at Worser Bay. It has a hole in it. We have to notice the hole and figure out how to fill it and what with. Our attention must also be on the sail - for this is where the strengths are - and will give the direction forward.
Add all this into the mix with kapahaka, orchestra, art club, class programmes. Children with strengths in the arts really do have their sails puffed AND there will be many - who do not realise they have a strength (yet).
We are at the end of the penultimate week of the term - a lot achieved - more to come.
Kia pai tō rā whakatā
Ngā mihi nui
Jude
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