Term 1
Wow. It's been a long time since I last reflected on here - although I've done a lot of reflection in my head during the term. I'm going to use the format that I gave to staff to reflect with, but am going to flesh it out a little more I think.
There have been many wins this term. Although I wasn't there in the last 5 weeks because of my stupid heart issues, the students had changed an immense amount since the beginning. I think back to the first week, after the honeymoon period when students started to push the boundaries. I remember the swirling fights we were having, the continuous leaving of the classroom, the total disregard for teachers. I look at students now who are going to the meeting place at the right time, who are coming to class and participating in work, to students who are singing a waiata and giving it their all, and then doing a karakia with us. I look at how students would walk out straight after karakia (which is a problem I've had at many schools) and how quickly we changed that behaviour, within a day! I look at the hugs we got at the end of term, at the students who came up to us and said "thanks". I look at students who are leaving who were crying because they didn't want to leave us.
I felt really sad to be losing those students. The students that we haven't done enough to support last term because we were swamped by the ones who didn't want to learn and I hope that this term will be easier. I hope that I will have the time to talk to students when they need my help, I hope I am not just the cop running around after the strays and can be a proper teacher again.
Half way through the term I remember saying to someone "I had a really great block this block, I actually got to teach." I hope more blocks like that are for us this term.
I think the thing that will change it for us, will make the difference within these kids, is getting them to reflect. Reflect on their own actions, and how their actions affect others, but also reflect on their learning, reflect on what and how they are doing it, and how they are showing success. Because actually every single student in Kōrepo has showed success in the last term in their own way. Whether it was turning up to class or whether it was focusing on schoolwork, or whether it was building up their own self-management.
We need to capitalise on that, we need to celebrate that. I really want to get the TV working this term, and have a slideshow up of the dispositions, and students who have shown them. I think this is one my goals within the first 2 weeks - but need to get the scrolling tv working first. Apparently the computer has been taken away that controls it.
To improve on for me, would be spending time with the students who really need me, and trying to propel people forward. I really want to get some meaty projects going this term, and actually get students to finish them, to actually make a difference somehow in the world. To get at least one dedicated student to a place where they have created something, or done something, or helped someone, that is where I want to be at the end of the term.
I want to develop my knowledge of restorative circles more, and am looking forward to working alongside Maddie and the health experience she brings to our Puna Ako group. I also want to get wider understanding of how we run restorative hui within the Hapori with both Kaiako and Kaiawhina so that we can have a consistent approach going forward. I want to develop my understanding of the community problem solving process from Karyn, as I think she has a good knowledge of it. I see it working well, but need to understand the process a little more this term.
One amazing change I have seen in staff, was from the beginning of the term to the end around co-teaching. Before the start of term, I put off having the discussion around teaching Puna Ako groups because I knew staff would object to team teaching them. We decided in the end that it was required to co-teach them because the numbers were so uneven between staff. Especially Melody was angry that she had to co-teach. Although I couldn't be there for the discussion at the end of term about Puna Ako term two, Karyn says that the decision to co-teach was unanimous. I am thrilled about this as the value to co-teaching amongst staff members is immense, and I am happy that staff see that now. I think forcing staff to co teach, but giving them choice in who they did it with, actually forced them to open up their minds to it, and experience something they hadn't really tried before.
As I have heard many times before, once you co-teach in a collaborative environment you never want to go back.
Hopefully I get a few more of these done this term. Aim for one a week. Hopefully...
There have been many wins this term. Although I wasn't there in the last 5 weeks because of my stupid heart issues, the students had changed an immense amount since the beginning. I think back to the first week, after the honeymoon period when students started to push the boundaries. I remember the swirling fights we were having, the continuous leaving of the classroom, the total disregard for teachers. I look at students now who are going to the meeting place at the right time, who are coming to class and participating in work, to students who are singing a waiata and giving it their all, and then doing a karakia with us. I look at how students would walk out straight after karakia (which is a problem I've had at many schools) and how quickly we changed that behaviour, within a day! I look at the hugs we got at the end of term, at the students who came up to us and said "thanks". I look at students who are leaving who were crying because they didn't want to leave us.
I felt really sad to be losing those students. The students that we haven't done enough to support last term because we were swamped by the ones who didn't want to learn and I hope that this term will be easier. I hope that I will have the time to talk to students when they need my help, I hope I am not just the cop running around after the strays and can be a proper teacher again.
Half way through the term I remember saying to someone "I had a really great block this block, I actually got to teach." I hope more blocks like that are for us this term.
I think the thing that will change it for us, will make the difference within these kids, is getting them to reflect. Reflect on their own actions, and how their actions affect others, but also reflect on their learning, reflect on what and how they are doing it, and how they are showing success. Because actually every single student in Kōrepo has showed success in the last term in their own way. Whether it was turning up to class or whether it was focusing on schoolwork, or whether it was building up their own self-management.
We need to capitalise on that, we need to celebrate that. I really want to get the TV working this term, and have a slideshow up of the dispositions, and students who have shown them. I think this is one my goals within the first 2 weeks - but need to get the scrolling tv working first. Apparently the computer has been taken away that controls it.
To improve on for me, would be spending time with the students who really need me, and trying to propel people forward. I really want to get some meaty projects going this term, and actually get students to finish them, to actually make a difference somehow in the world. To get at least one dedicated student to a place where they have created something, or done something, or helped someone, that is where I want to be at the end of the term.
I want to develop my knowledge of restorative circles more, and am looking forward to working alongside Maddie and the health experience she brings to our Puna Ako group. I also want to get wider understanding of how we run restorative hui within the Hapori with both Kaiako and Kaiawhina so that we can have a consistent approach going forward. I want to develop my understanding of the community problem solving process from Karyn, as I think she has a good knowledge of it. I see it working well, but need to understand the process a little more this term.
One amazing change I have seen in staff, was from the beginning of the term to the end around co-teaching. Before the start of term, I put off having the discussion around teaching Puna Ako groups because I knew staff would object to team teaching them. We decided in the end that it was required to co-teach them because the numbers were so uneven between staff. Especially Melody was angry that she had to co-teach. Although I couldn't be there for the discussion at the end of term about Puna Ako term two, Karyn says that the decision to co-teach was unanimous. I am thrilled about this as the value to co-teaching amongst staff members is immense, and I am happy that staff see that now. I think forcing staff to co teach, but giving them choice in who they did it with, actually forced them to open up their minds to it, and experience something they hadn't really tried before.
As I have heard many times before, once you co-teach in a collaborative environment you never want to go back.
Hopefully I get a few more of these done this term. Aim for one a week. Hopefully...
This is a comprehensive reflection of Term 1 Jono. Yes, there was an incredible change in the staff attitude towards co-teahcing form last year through to the end of Term 1. I totally agree we need to ensure systems are in place so that you guys aren't spending time being "cops" and are actually modelling effective teaching and learning on an individual student by student basis which is an absolute strength of yours. I totally agree that reflection is the key to changing practice- of both adults and students. Look forward to more regular reflections!
ReplyDeleteAmazing progress in your hapori Jono - which it was a pleasure to witness. Great payment for the hard yards that you and team invested in each other and in the kids under extreme pressure. Have huge admiration for your leadership and resilience.
ReplyDeleteI like that you have identified ALL kids as a focus for you this term and that is, in no way a criticism of what happened last term. It will be a really important term to be able to support and evidence progress and learning for all our ākonga and I think this is what you were articulating too
Am pleased that your numbers of staff have grown and hope that will give you and your team a little more breathing space.
Take care of your 'stupid heart issues' - something I read the other day is appropriate for you - "You can't pour from an empty cup - look after yourself so you can support others"