Principal's Newsletter July 2016
Scripture Quote
Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. John 13:13-15
Christopher S Rooney
MEdMgt (Hons), GradDip Bus, BA
Message from the Principal
Tena koutou katoa
I would like to thank all the parents and caregivers who willingly give their time and energy to assist the College in many ways. Coaching teams, transporting students, parent help on school trips and camps, volunteering to help with the Gala and other fund-raising events. These are but a small selection of the examples of your support for the College which directly helps us to provide opportunities for students to experience success beyond the classroom. I appreciate your generosity and support. I know that the students also appreciate your assistance – even if they don’t always show it!
BYOD
We are now well into the use of devices to enhance teaching and learning across the school. I am interested in your feedback on your experience of this initiative. We have conducted a preliminary review last year and will follow this up this year. You will have an opportunity to provide your feedback later in term four.
One of the unexpected benefits of this initiative is the role reversal of teacher and learner as students are able to assist teachers with their greater knowledge of hardware especially. As a school ought to be committed to teaching and learning I think it is totally appropriate for students to have the opportunity to be the teacher as well as the teacher as the learner.
When the initiative was introduced it was expected that students would be able to collaborate with each other in the learning process. It was also expected that students could communicate with teachers beyond the classroom lesson. The evidence so far confirms that students are collaborating with each other and that they are able to communicate with their teachers outside the usual teaching time. This is how technology can enhance teaching and learning beyond the programmed teaching schedule.
Community of Learning
You may be familiar with the encouragement of schools to work together to share best practice and learn together to improve the educational outcomes for all of the students in the schools within the group. Liston College is part of the Waitakere Community of Learning which has 12 schools in total. It comprises the three Rathgar Road secondary schools, 8 local primary schools and one Intermediate school. With over 7000 students, it is the largest CoL in New Zealand. The goals of the group are to improve Literacy and Mathematics achievement for Maori and Pasifika students and improve Maori achievement at NCEA Level 2. Liston College is in a good position to contribute to the learning within the group as these goals have been part of our Strategic Plan for some time. We have three teachers directly involved within Liston College to assist us to achieve these goals – Mr. Houlahan, Mr. Bohte and Mr. Kumar. In addition there are other teachers from the CoL and their role is to work with the Liston in-school teachers to help achieve the goals. It is very much early days in the life of the group but there is a real sense of commitment to the goals and the willingness to learn from the greater expertise within the CoL. I will keep you informed of progress throughout the year.
School Improvement Projects
Each of the six members of the Senior Leadership Team is responsible for leading a team to carry out an initiative which will have a school-wide improvement focus. Each has established a team to work through the area and make recommendations to implement the improvements. All projects will require input from parents and caregivers, students and staff. One of the key requirements is to clearly establish what the current practice is and this will be a major part of the early part of the projects. My own team is conducting a Curriculum Review to establish a curriculum which is more student-centred. This will involve surveys of students, staff and parents and caregivers. You will be able to give your thoughts and comments when the survey is distributed to you later in the new term. The other projects are focused on The Key Competencies of the NZ Curriculum, Student Leadership, Performance Management, Maori Achieving as Maori and Monitoring of Student Achievement at Years 7 – 10. All members of the SLT report on progress to the Board as part of the improvement process. At the end of the year I will be able to report to you on the outcomes of the various projects and how this information will help the Board and the SLT to implement changes to further enhance teaching and learning.
Restorative Practices
You will be aware that Liston College is a school where restorative practices underpin how we deal with situations where there is a conflict between student and student and between student and teacher. The essence of restorative practice is to restore the relationship so that the person who has been harmed is able to see the harm addressed and that the other party recognizes their part in the damage to the relationship. This is very effective with boys who are notorious for not appreciating the consequences of their actions on others. The Restorative Justice (RJ) meeting with both parties is an opportunity to hear of the often unintended consequences which have had an impact on the student. We have had meetings with members of boys’ families when they are able to state the impact on the family of the harm caused by the boy (or boys). The success of the programme is founded on holding people accountable for their actions and the importance of forgiveness in restoring relationships. Every newly-appointed permanent teacher is enrolled in a three-day course on restorative practices to fully understand what it means on a daily basis. The Board makes the resources available to ensure that all staff are equipped to support the RJ programme in the College. The current Year 13 students were the first group in the school to experience restorative practices. This means that no student has experienced any other means of dealing with relationship conflicts at the College.
Thank you again for you continuing support of the College and your confidence in entrusting your sons to our care.
May God bless you and your families.
C.S. Rooney
Principal
