W3, T2: Empowering Creativity

Back in March, a member of our community shared a reading about the Pegasus Project.  As I read the article, it reminded me of New Windsor's journey with introducing digital technology in our classrooms back in 2014.  

Many of what worked for the Pegasus Project were present in our Ako Hiko Cluster and when New Windsor introduced 2 digital classes.   We joke that we were the OGs - the "original gangsters" of Ako Hiko. 

I still remember our first day at May Road School -  a room full of educators not knowing how to implement 1:1 but knowing we want to use technology to accelerate progress and achievement. One thing we did know we had to change our teaching practice. I don't mean using technology more in my classroom - it was the actual nitty and gritty of teaching - our pedagogy had to change (how we teach). What teaching practice will make an impact and difference for our tamariki today?  We also knew technology won't fix ineffective teaching practice. We knew what we were embarking on something powerful and sustainable - it was the first hint of Learner Agency and addressed Learners at the Centre principle from  7 Principles of Learning. Isn't it more powerful and important for learners to know their learning goals and find ways to achieve them?  

Do I still feel the same after 7 years?  Yes. 

Traditionally, the classroom teacher held all the knowledge, therefore, had all the power - teachers can choose when to share that knowledge. The teacher's job was to give knowledge and for the students to consume that knowledge.   But with the advancement of technology and the information so easily accessible, it calls for another skill. 

These days we need the creators and the empathisers. With information easily accessible and sometimes information overload, students must critically think about the information, ask questions, connect information from different places and put it together, and create their own knowledge by giving their own thoughts and opinions. So it is increasingly important to develop creativity, empathy and critical thinking. (It's no surprise that creativity is in our New Windsor Way!). 

I feel the information isn't helpful if the students don't know what to do with it -  if they didn't have the power or choice to act on it.  DMIC calls it no passive passengers. 

It's not enough to consume technology, but we have to use it to create. 

.......And today, I learnt a phrase that is becoming my favourite "empowering creativity". 

New Windsor teachers attended a cluster-wide Ako Hiko meeting and did a role reversal along with other schools, and our tamariki became the "teachers". The students taught different apps they use to unleash their creativity.  

It made me think, what opportunities do we give our students to be creative? What opportunities do we give for students to be the "teachers"?  

Many of the teachers took the opportunity to learn about Book Creator and Tinkercad. I went to the Piskel app to unleash my own creativity. Here is an attempt at a monkey! 

Thank you, Felix, Isaac and Zac. You did a great job - confident and very helpful. 

Thank you, Owairaka, for hosting! I would also like to give a big applause to all the Ako Hiko Leads and Phil for doing such a fantastic job today.  

Week 7, Term 1: Resilience

 This term we have been looking at resilience. I had the honour of taking Room 7 and they used play-dough to show their understanding of resilience. 

Here is one of our students describing the time he was resilient. 

Week 6, Term 1: Social Media

 At New Windsor, we celebrate learning in all kinds of ways! 

Certificates, assemblies, sharing on our blogs and sharing with our buddies.  Another way we celebrate our learning is through our Facebook and Instagram page. Join us in the celebration!

Facebook

Instagram

Week 5, Term 1: Learn, Create and Share

 Here we go again! 

I have been super proud of our staff's response to our Lockdown. Who knew back in 2018 that we would be teaching from home and learning to Zoom and GMeets. 

At New Windsor, we constantly reflect and review our programme. We looked at the rigour of our distance learning programme  - did it include learn, create and share and our New Windsor Competencies - (Creative, Collaborative, Confident, Responsible, Resilient and Respect).

What is Learn, Create and Share?

LCS is how the teacher will teach their lessons.

For example, your child is learning to add adjectives to their story. The teachers will provide opportunities for their students to learn adjectives through multiple methods (lessons, 1:1 teaching, group teaching, videos).

The teacher will plan opportunities for students to create offline and online, e.g., create sentences with adjectives and make a book to show adjectives. The students will then seek feedback and share their learning through various methods - group discussions, blogs or communicating with their teachers. 

The LCS develops the skills below: 

• Learn: Howto access  existing knowledge 
• Create: How to combine existing knowledge with original ideas in new and imaginative ways to create a unique outcome. 
• Share: How to connect and collaborate with others and build on existing knowledge. 

Learn, Create and Share does not happen in a distance learning space. It is a programme that happens both offline and online. 

While our teachers were teaching in the online space, juggling their home life  - they were undergoing professional development in this area. 

Our teachers learnt how to offer rewindable learning and plan with an LCS focus. 

We are very proud of their achievements and growth! Ka pai to mahi. 

Week 4, Term 1: Introducing our 2021 Student Teachers....

New Windsor School works in partnership with the University of Auckland to mentor and coach student teachers. 

We believe this is our contribution to the education community. 

We are looking forward to seeing their growth! 

Week 3, Term 1: The New Windsor Way

What a year it has been. 

2020 was definitely.....memorable! 

Amidst pandemics and Lockdowns, New Windsor was undergoing a  lot of reviewing and restructuring. We reflected on what was going well and what we can improve on. 

One of the things that have made me proud was our work on the New Windsor Way and our Local Curriculum development. 

There were three things that made me proud: 

1. It was made in collaboration with the community, BOT and staff. We narrowed it to what was important.  We consulted in everything, including the development of our Competencies Characters. 

2. The story behind the New Windsor Way. It showed our multicultural (We have 26 ethnicities and counting, most of our students also have a dual ethnicity) and our area. We have Waitakere ranges as well as the Manukau Harbour. It showed the Pohutukawa trees, which are prominent at our school and our resident bunny, Marigold. 

3.  But most importantly? Our tamariki saw themselves in the representation.  I overheard a conversation in the office where the students were discussing our Competencies and identifying who was who in the school ("That looks like....." " and that is.....") 

We achieved a lot in 2020. I am looking forward to what we will achieve in 2021! 

Week 2, Term 1: PLD for our Staff

We are in the business of learning and learning doesn't just happen with our tamariki. Our kaiako and learning assistants are learners too! 

Before school started they build their digital fluency and a new way of teaching Maths - Developing Mathematical Inquiries. If you want to find out more information about DMIC - https://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/topics/bes/developing-mathematical-inquiry-communities/02-a-parents-perspective.