Room Two's Song - What's the Story?

What do you think?

WRITING DISPLAYS

A recent development in all classes has been wall displays illustrating actual writing samples that show the progression that most children follow as they become increasingly accomplished writers. The children really seem to enjoy knowing where they fit as well as being clear about their next learning steps. Some of the comments children shared with me were;

“I need to know what I need to do.”  Emily Rhodes-Robinson 

“You can see what you need to do to improve.”  Latham Baxter 

“You can see how much you have improved.”  Michael Poff 

“You can compare yourself with others.”  Julia Glavovic

“You can see the learning journey.”  Annalise Kruger

“You can set goals.”  Olivia McEwan

Mr Kennedy

  

YOUNG LEADERS DAY 2011

On the 24th May fourteen C.S.N.S. class representatives joined with 1400 other children at the Regent Theatre for ‘Young Leaders Day’. Our children came back really buzzing. They reported that the speakers including Nick Tuitasi, Ali Mooney, Alison Shanks, Dave Atkinson and Pat Buckley were really inspirational.

Most of the speakers shared the challenges they have faced and how they overcame them. From all accounts Dave Atkinson was the funniest using different accents, facial expressions and anecdotes to illustrate his message. Nick Tuitasi talked about the importance of a person’s reputation. He emphasised the absolute need for young people to learn to say ‘no’, and to be able to think for themselves rather than being influenced by others. He also mentioned the need for young people to develop what he called the ‘X factor’ which included being friendly, saying positive things and being yourself.

From all accounts it was a great day!

Mr Kennedy

'GO FOR GOLD!' ELECTIVES

Last January all our CSNS teachers were fortunate to be able to attend the Inspired Impact Teacher Conference and to listen to the International education luminary Sir Ken Robinson. Sir Ken spoke about the desperate need for schools to be developing children’s creativity. He is strongly of the belief that effective participation in the 21st century is going to require young people to maximise their creative abilities. To accomplish this, schools he says need to provide opportunities for their pupils to discover and to further develop what they are naturally good at. They need, he argues, to work and to think in what he calls their ‘element’.

The ‘Go For Gold’ Senior Syndicate electives are just one example this year of CSNS trying to provide opportunities for our children to work in their ‘element’. The children I have spoken to are loving it. They can’t wait for Wednesday afternoons to come around. With the activities based on teacher strengths, talent and passion the children are being exposed to a range of exciting experiences. For example we have Miss Ross taking dance, Mr Bell - problem solving, interior design with Mrs Glavovic, Japanese with Miss Chisnall, ICT/Writing with Mrs Radich, Sport with Mrs Langley and Mr Kennedy, Visual Art with Miss Binns and Science with Mrs Harder. Oh to be a child again!

Mr Kennedy