22 September 2023

After lamenting on the 'picture paints 1000 words' idea last week, I now have flipped 180 and really couldn't stop writing.

Reflecting on Term 3, the final term before the days get longer and the sunhat requirement comes into play, I can sum it up with a food analogy. Catering for every dietary need, plentiful amuse bouche (for all senses of humour!), a range of must do and can do entrées, centred around a couple of big hearty, decadent, family style main dishes, followed by lighter salads, a few wonky vegetable delicacies, spongy, saucy and baked hot or lighter, fluffier and softer dessert-wise - it's all been prepared with love, rounded off with a savoury or a sweet treat..... REPLETE. Now just a few crumbs to wipe up and the dishes to be done.... ready to plan the finer details of the Term 4 menu with a twist!

I received an email from one of our sports coaches last week.... "We played in the Year 5 and 6 A Grade this year, which is really impressive given the size of our little school (30 schools from the Eastern suburbs play in the MK Netball competition). We went through the season unbeaten, which placed us in the Grand Final play-off today. These girls have turned up at practice each week and shown commitment and respect and, man, did it pay off.  We had some easy wins, we had some hard fought wins, we had some come from behind wins and we had some physical battles (including today)!! The way these girls used their teamwork – to back up each other and support each other out on court has been brilliant. They showed so many of our Worser Bay character strengths – resilience, grit, determination, leadership, you know what I'm talking about. It has been such a pleasure coaching these girls (many of them for 5 years now) and I'm thrilled with the way they have turned up and played this season (even if they might be a bit disappointed with the result today)."

A few days later, the teachers returned form the Futsal Tournament - this time, 40 Year 2-4 Worser Bay children - who very clearly also had their strengths on full display. "Jude, you will be very proud of the kids today", they said. "We had 2 other schools specifically point us out and congratulate us for our great attitudes and for having all round 'good kids'." 

It's not just in sports. Five out of eight EBIS students who have gone places in Science competitions hail from Worser Bay School; the winner of the major Science prize at Rongotai College this year is also a past pupil..... We hope that our children leave Worser Bay with the aptitude for giving things a go - whatever the field, academic, sporting, giving back, contributing.... being good humans! That's all we can aim for. Endeavouring to employ a Growth Mindset will take them far - look at the 'school cat', Frank. John noted recently that in the early days Frank had trouble scaling the kowhai tree and would fall down readily. Although we wouldn't by any means say Frank was a capable climber - he tried, tried, tried again - and, hey - he can go a little further now! It's rubbing off!

The teachers will be starting to draft reports over the break and then meeting with you to discuss your child's progress later next term. By the time we report against curriculum stages and indicators, the richness of life here can be lost. So, to end the term with a big 'yee hah' to our staff for being who they are and doing what they do (with prowess and passion). Our children get something extra.

The 3 Rs remain central - it's how we get there that's the creative act. Our Junior team has been working intensely with the University of Canterbury over this term, as you will have heard about on Tuesday. It's been a massive undertaking and has equipped them with some new tools to draw upon in Literacy, especially for the early stages. Assessing, planning, assessing, planning, assessing, planning - is ongoing in Reading, Writing and Maths and soon we will be collating school-wide data, analysing and reviewing it against our annual targets - ready to look ahead to 2024's planning. 

Te Ao Māori, Te Reo Māori, Kapa Haka, STEM - Moana Mana - engaging with scientist mentors, Arts Celebration, say no more, the first time we entered the Orchestra in the Wellington Orchestra Festival, Introduction of Takaro Tahi - Friday afternoons - the whole school playing together, Whānau Days, Matariki, Rising 5s, Assemblies, Karakia, Student Led Conferences - Celebration of Learning, Eastern Zones Tournaments, Ākau Tangi events, Softball, Whakapapa / Identity / Values Inquiry, Atua Inquiry, Year 6 Flourish Programme, Road Patrol parades, Parent meetings and events - off the top of my head.....

The Zine - the Zine - the Zine - is shaping up to be amazing, and you can anticipate the next edition being ready to be sent in good time as overseas festive gifts.

Let's not forget the move into the Library - a mammoth task!

Soon, we will get truly fired up for the School Fair - which will be fantastic. Our organising committee is going full steam ahead, and how fantastic to have so many volunteers on board. It really puts our school and community on the 'do good, feel good' map.

In the background, we have been working on appointments, saying goodbyes, and hellos, sorting roofing tenders - yes - the Seniors will be getting a new roof over summer (no more leaks!). Junior toilets are next on the list (thankfully!)!

What does success mean for my child? Thank you - for your contributions. I am pulling this together at the moment and soon we will have our own unique document with your quotes and the words of our tamariki to guide us forward.

Our attribute this term has been "I am a thinker". I'm thinking it might be time to dial this down...... just for a wee while.

Happy holidays, folks!