Sports and Cultural Co-ordinator

Fakalofa lahi atu everyone. This is my first post for 2020.
This year I have a new role here at Ormiston Primary School and that is the Sports and Cultural Coordinator. I also release learning coaches for PCT and help relieve across the school when needed. My focus is to get as many learners and teams involved in sporting competitions within the Howick Pakuranga Primary Association.

In term one, our Year 5 and 6 Boys cricket team participated in the HPPA competition. We began training in Week 2. This year I decided to have all boys that were interested in playing that showed some capabilities in the game. I kept two teams: a school team and a development team. The development team allowed for boys to develop their skills and a carry over of Year 5s for next year. The school team were the boys that showed capabilities with bowling because all boys had to bowl an over in the competition. The boys won 2 out of 6 games and showed promise in all games but lost out through fielding.

We also had Rip Rugby sessions run by Marist Eastern Rugby Club. This took place every Wednesday after school from 3.15-4.15pm. Most sessions had up to 40 learners from Year 1-6 boys and girls. Coaches were provided and our learners had so much fun. Parents were grateful to have their child/ren taking part and we also had some sign their kids up to play during the terms on Saturday.

For Culture we had a Samoan group practice for Samoan Language Week in Term 2. We also have Kapa Haka in collaboration with Ormiston Junior and Senior College. Because of the levels in Covid-19 our Samoan group made a movie of their items to share with the school and community. The children of Samoan descent dressed up in their Samoa shirts and dresses and wore them to school on Friday. Kapa Haka with the junior and senior college kids have helped spark interest amongst our learners especially those that are not of Maori heritage.

Here are links for our Samoan Cultural Movies:
Introduction to Samoan Language Weeks
Samoa Girls
Samoa Boys

It has been busy so far! But we are looking forward to more Sporting opportunities in Term 3 and celebrating our Cultural Language Weeks and maintaining Kapa Haka.

TESSOL: Undergraduate Diploma

This year I have been very fortunate to have been awarded one of the TESSOL (Teaching English as a Second Language) scholarships through the University of Auckland. My application was supported by my leader of learning Heath McNeil and Karyn Patterson (head of ESSOL). 

Currently, I have Tuesday night classes at the University of Auckland, Epsom Campus. I have successfully completed the course EDPROFST227: TESSOL Language Learning Need in Semester One. I have learned quite a few activities and tasks to practice with my learners. This course also helped me to reflect on my teaching practice and pedagogy not just with English Second Language learners but with all my learners. At the moment, I am in Semester Two currently working on EDPROF372: TESSOL: Language Learning through Tasks.

I will blog more about some of the tasks, activities and assignments that I have done later on.

Flatbush 7 2019

Today was our Teachers Only Day. And Flatbush 7 has come around again. Flatbush 7 schools are: Ormiston Primary School, Ormiston Junior College, Ormiston Senior College, Baverstock Oaks Primary, Mission Heights Primary School and Junior College and Te Uho o te Nikau. Flatbush 7 in it's second year, but this time held across Mission Heights Primary and Mission Heights Junior College campus.
Our keynote speakers were: Chris Clay in the morning, and Peter O'Connor in the afternoon.

There were four workshops across the day and introduction speakers before each. These speakers were: Chris Clay, Melinda Webber, Grant Rix and Peter O'Connor. The four workshop categories: Cultural Responsiveness, Connections, Well-being and Inquiry.

The first workshop was called Learning a Language through Passion Projects with Alicia Tauiliili from OJC (Ormiston Junior College). One key idea I took from this session was that Languages and Culture are so important for learners identity in the classroom. I like the idea of learners using a Glory Box to share who they are.

The second workshop was called Real World Science with Science teachers from Ormiston Senior College. One key idea I took from this session is that Science needs to be taught through and with real life scenarios. For example: Physics class went to Rainbows End and looked at the rides and how they worked and the forces that were involved in the topic.

The third workshop was called Student Well-being through Whanau Ora and Hauora run by Ashley Sio and Mike Mansell from Ormiston Junior College. A key idea I took from this session was the models that they used to plan both Whanau Ora and Hauora, and ensuring that they are both linked throughout the programmes they focus on.

The final workshop for was called Leading without Knowing with Jenny and Jane from Ormiston Junior College. A key idea I took from this was how I see myself with my learners and wider world that included: agency, inquiry and well-being. Another key thought that was presented was to look after beginning teachers and how valuable they are.

I gained a lot of ideas from the four workshops and from all presenters and experts today. I need some time to reflect over and put into practice the ideas that interested me today.

Thank you to all organisers, speakers and MHPS, MHJC for a great day of Flatbush 7 Workshops.

Naku te rourou, nau to rourou ka ora ai te iwi
- With your basket and with my basket, the people will live
Other translations I've hear are: With your basket and with my basket, the people will thrive. Maori Proverb. Today was a prime example of teachers across schools sharing their basket of knowledge with others so that our learners can thrive.