What is the meaning of...

We watched a couple of YouTube clips as part of our staff meeting today.

This little dude, philosophizing on the meaning of life, could teach us a think or two about reflection and introspection.

When asked "Are the events in life pre-destined" he says...
"It may be pre-destined, but you can change that destiny. I might be wrong, it might be just scheduled, like some play or something, and you act it, not knowing you are part of it... But all the same, maybe destiny's just telling you maybe you just know it, and that's what destiny is. Destiny is just a guess; a guess of what it knows about you, and what it knows you would do... But then again, I might be wrong. Destiny could totally be in control of you."

Now I must add that the topic of the staff meeting, and a major thrust of our professional learning this year, is 'Gifted and Talented'. "Gifted" is a label that generally makes me cringe, for the narrow view that is typically attached to it, particularly by the population at large -  that of academic aptitude. Don't get me wrong, this is an important area to acknowledge, but there are so many other aspects of a person that scream "exceptionality" (the new buzz word that sits far more comfortably with me).

In addition to the philosopher above, check out this dude, who made a "Rube Golburg" Monster Trap. He totally rocks! Exceptional!

Cooler Than Michael Jackson

Back in the early 1990s this was some accolade. Probably still rings true today!

As a teacher, you often receive lovely little notes from certain students in your class - they are always heartwarming and some touch you more than others, for a range of reasons. Mainly they attest to the fact that you are pretty special to that person, and getting a genuine one really does go a long way to make a teacher's day. Having not had a class to call my own for some years now due to my management role, the relationships formed that lead to these sorts of childish (in the nicest sense) appreciation, don't occur as easily. It's the aspect of classroom teaching I miss the most. (The relationships, not the notes!)

Which is why when I stumbled across this wee gem in one of my boxes of 'Memorabilia' some months ago, I took a snap of it with my phone. I found the photo again yesterday when I updated phones, and was going through and deleting pics.

It was written by a special student (yes, yes, they are all special) at the end of her Std 2 (Year 4) year, at a time when I was changing schools. So working back, it would have been 1993 to be specific.
If you can't quite make it out the writing, here's what it says...

Dear Miss Fothergill
It's so sad that you're moving but as Mum said "She's young and so that means she has to move around to get to know other people". I guess she's right. In my old school, my teacher Ms Honeyfield was teaching the same people the next year. I wish it was the same.
Any was (sic) thanks a whole heap for teaching me this year. It's been great! I have to go now, because Mum is telling me to come and have your dinner young girl!
Bye for now.
Lots of love and kisses
from ...

I shall keep the name anonymous, as this person and I have made a reconnect as grown-ups (good old Facebook), and I don't want to 'out' and embarrass her. But if she reads this, it may just be a reminder that the kids are special to us teachers too.

Buried Treasures

I am, by nature, a hoarder of things that hold significant memories for me. Often they are small things that sit hidden away in a shoe box or similar, lying there for no other purpose than for me to discover them when I am looking for something else or, as happened most recently, when I am having a clean out. Each time I have a said clean out, the buried treasures are whittled down, yet there are some things that I simply cannot part with. Every time I see them they evoke such strong memories, and I like to revisit them.
One such treasure is a letter from Roald Dahl, the famous children's author who died in 1990. His book "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" was the first novel I ever read aloud to a class - my first class - Room 16/Standard 4, Otumoetai Primary, 1986. So began a love affair with his books for this class, which we all wrote to him about.
I remember feeling so special when we received a letter back from him! He had called me "Gorgeous Lynn", which certainly made the kids laugh. The mis-spelling of the school's name as "Otumaebi" has stuck in my vernacular, and from time to time I still refer to my first school as "Otumaebi".
But the poem itself gave me the biggest thrill, and while it is great to see it in print again, it's a poem I can recite at any time.

The letter is dated 3rd November 1986, and goes like this...


Hello gorgeous Lynn and all the clever children at Otumaebi Primary School. Thank you so much for sending me your lovely letters.

Dear children, far across the sea,

How good of you to write to me.

I love to read the things you say

When you are miles and miles away. 

Young people, and I think I'm right,

Are nicer when they're out of sight.

Well, didn't we all think we were just so special to receive a personalized poem from our favourite, famous author. It wasn't until some time later that another teacher friend told me her class had also written to Mr Dahl - and received the same poem back! My bubble was well and truly burst. Not sure if she was called gorgeous though...

Back at the ranch, but not quite back in the saddle

Being on study leave continues to be a strange existence for me. Strange unfamiliar, not strange weird or bad. But it was good to pop back in to school today  - with a purpose. Also a time to catch up with staff and visit classrooms to make sure the kids don't forget me!

I have to get used to the fact that things are going to change whilst I am away. Today it was seeing the new raised gardens that have mushroomed from the ground over the holiday period. Also nice to see corner gardens planted last year flourishing. And a nice surprise to see some glorious sunflowers growing from where a dead tree once was!

Clearing Out.

Well the day has finally come. After a final trip back in to work today, my desk is finally clear. (I have made a mental vow to keep it 'ala Pelu' - a descriptor a very few readers may appreciate - upon my return.)

And now I have left the building... cleared out, so to speak. Actually shed a few tears as I closed the Tumuaki Tuarua door to the room that has been 'my place' at work for 6 years.

And once I clear my head, I can start to imagine what my life will be like for the next 10 months.

Drumming up support

While I did not get to see much of it, the visiting Drumming show (the name fails me - perhaps a blog-reading staff ,member will let me know) at school today seemed pretty amazing. And if the school girl groupies were anything to go by, the impression I received in the short time I was in the hall was confirmed by the signed hands and scraps of paper that were thrust under my nose whilst I was on duty...






Oh, a few staff fans too... he was pretty easy on the eye, but it was the Michael jackson set that impressed one fair maiden...

Adendum: see Dylan Elise (thnx Karein) play

Well Run

Our  school's first off-site full on Athletics event today. Well run on all counts; organisationally, and in the manner in which the children competed.

While all of us had our parts to play, the children featured here are daughters of staff members who were key in making the day the success it was. Lucky they let me blog them! (I played around with shutter speed today and was pleased with the amount of photos that were well focussed).

Perfect weather too - not too hot, not too cold, no wind and the right amount of cloud cover.

'Maxxed' Out!

Another school related post today.
As part of our school's Travel Plan, we hold an annual bike/wheels day. This includes a visit from the Travel Wise mascot, Maxx the Pukeko.
I sneaked this shot (above) prior to our parade... It must be hot and tiring work in that suit!

Making a List

Anyone else out there a list person?
I am in the process of creating a 'To Do' List for 2012, of 50 things to try/experience/complete alongside my studies next year. I have been inspired by my friend Kate, who is attempting a much more audacious list, hers totaling 101.
I added a challenge today that has been at the back of my mind for several years, and was brought to the forefront by some visitors we had at school today.
A group of 10 teachers from Singapore, as pictured below, came to us to have a look at some literacy programmes in action in a New Zealand school. Their journey to NZ was courtesy of having won a competition by submitting as story for what will become the Singaporean School Journal (A project Learning Media is working on with them).
I have always loved New Zealand's School Journals; I think they are the most amazing resource. Which brings me back to the list. I have always wanted to be a published children's author, and have long thought that the School Journal could be a nice segue into bigger things. So I have added to my list, investigating how to submit a story for consideration, and hopefully getting one published!

To Market, To Market.

Our senior team at school today put on a Market Day to raise money for a school affected by the Christchurch earthquake.
They sold goods, and also ran activities that students could spend their money on.
The horizontal bungey proved very popular, and when the students were blindfolded and trying to kick the balls at the end, it was quite amusing to watch - the photos may not convey that so much.

 

Personally I enjoyed whipping two Y7 boys at tug-of-war; don't mess with the Fothergill in that event!
I also found the home-made sherbet addictive, and devoured the whole bag in a short space of time. My tongue is still feeling it!

Young Entrepreneurs!

The school term finished on a high for us, especially for
a team of young 8/9/10 year old Entrepreneurs. Raising money for a school in Christchurch, they ran a RWC themed Market Day, selling goods they themselves had made, and providing services such as games and face painting.
It was awesome. And I believe they raised around $1300.00.
I had a lovely All Black muffin for morning tea, some super sushi for lunch, with a Russian Fudge chaser.
Whilst I missed out on a Tiki (pictured - sold out very quickly), I also purchased a bookmark, a key ring, and some unique bottle-cap earrings, which proved quite attention seeking wherever I went today!

From Someone Else's Perspective

Second group of budding photographers working with me today. On one of their 'Assignments', shooting from different perspectives, a student snapped me, snapping her.

With her permission, it is my photo for the day!

Flying High

The school week at my work culminates with a Celebration Afternoon.
This week the littlest people lifted all of our spirits by having us join in their kite flying extravaganza. These photos do not encapsulate the full picture, which saw the rugby fields filled with smiling faces and skies above with fluttering colour.
The weather was kind and it felt like summer was on its way.

Bing Bong!

It's the second night of Parent Teacher Conferences at my school. So high tech - to indicate the end of one time and the beginning of another, we play 'chimes' over the intercom...

In the past I have delighted in creating a different tune each time, but inspiration has failed me this year so it's just been a simple running scale when I've been the maestro...

Pump Up the Volume

Tomorrow is Loud Shirt Day, a day when all are encouraged to wear the most garish tops possible, in support of ... The Hearing House and the Southern Cochlear Implant Paediatric Programme.
Our Student Leaders chose this as one of the organisations they'd like to support with a (loud shirt) mufti day, but the actual date clashed with... formal school photographs. So we held ours today instead of tomorrow, September 16.
The picture is a screen shot of a montage of some of the fabrics blaring out across our school.

In retrospect although it would have been a little chaotic, perhaps it would also have been fun to have our 2011 school photos in loud shirts. It would have been visually immortalised as "Do you remember the year when..."
Hmmmmm ... Maybe not.

Exciting Times Ahead

Definitely a 'moment' to post about today.

I have been sitting on the news for a couple of weeks, but can now excitedly, nervously announce that 2012 is shaping up to be a year of new experiences for me.

After 25 years of continuous service in a school, I have been lucky enough to have won a Study Award. This will allow me to be a full-time student for the majority of the 2012 year.

It's all a bit of a great unknown at present, but I am sure that by this time next year, when my research has been completed and my thesis written up, I will be desperately looking forward to returning to my school. Whilst having a year away is exciting, I am wondering about how I will cope with the lack of social contact! After all, isn't that one of the main reasons we go to work?

Hugo, Reilly and Stirling will love it though. And I am sure I will too. Once I get my head around what it is I have actually gotten myself in for!

Bring it on!

We have some special visitors coming to our school next week. Special visitors from the Education Review Office. The E.R.O is, quote, "the government department that evaluates and reports on the education and care of students in schools and early childhood services".

So we've been getting ready to assist them with their process. While much of what we do is 'housed' digitally these days, we've killed a few trees over the past few weeks to make what they may require automatically accessible to them, as opposed to asking them to navigate our systems...

I hope they are fast readers/processors/synthesisers! There's a lot to share about our fabulous school!

Yay for Cupcakes

The littlest people at our school today got behind Cupcake Day for the SPCA today, donating a colourful array of cupcakes for sale, each lovingly and decorated at home.

South Auckland; it's all good in the 'hood

I had not attended a powhiri for some time, and was part of one today for a work occasion. Every time I am involved with one I get kind of emotional - it's the singing that does it. (Not my singing, and especially not today - of the 3 chosen waiata for the manuhiri, I knew one - and they did not use that one... )
It's the singing of any Maori group that does it. There's something about the resonance, tonality and conviction that makes me have to bite really hard on my own jaw and try not to cry!
Double that feeling when today the tangata whenua was a group of high school students, welcoming us to their marae. Powerful stuff. I felt wholly welcomed. And I could have listened to them sing all day.
It was interesting was the array of cultures that had come together for a professional learning experience on the marae. Our small group had representatives  from Samoa, Nuie, Hungary, India, England, South Africa, - all mainly immigrants who have chosen to come and live here - and of course Aotearoa New Zealand. Diversity seemed to be the untitled theme of the day. Gotta love South Auckland. In a good way.

Kids are so creative

  

Second day with my budding Y7/8 digital photographers today. One of their 'assignments' was to utilise my new favourite frames in portraiture. They came up with some amazing new ideas. Like overlaying multiple frames, which I have not even seen on Pinterest. They also shot from some amazing perspectives and some tried some clever ways of capturing hands/feet to represent their partner.
Trying to preserve anonymity in these shots of them in action...