Wednesday, July 31, 2019
Monday, July 29, 2019
Welcome to Term 3
I'd like to extend a warm welcome to students, parents and whānau to term 3 at the Bay Academy. I acknowledge our busy lives and as a result just want to bullet point whats happening at our school during this term. If you ever want more information or have suggestions or feedback for our school you can email me at principal@boi.ac.nz.
- IB Evaluation Visit: we are being visited by representatives from the International Baccalaureate organisation in week 3. This is an evaluation of our school in terms of our status as an IB World School. This is a very important visit and our IB PYP coordinator Jenna Grant has put in many hours preparing us for success. We feel we are well prepared but fingers crossed everyone!
- School photos in week 4 - more information to follow.
- Please remember to let Sharon at reception know if your child is sick, each day that they remain at home. We also have a mobile phone for texting 021 02561795
- A reminder that we are a water only school supporting the New Zealand Dental Association (NZDA) and good oral hygiene. We also encourage waste free lunchbox options for children.
- Mindfulness programme - we continue to support emotional wellbeing through the mindfulness daily programme in our school. We are pleased to see a growing number of schools locally and internationally adopting this practice to support young people.
- Positive Behaviour for Learning - this new initiative for 2019 continues to build momentum. As a school community we are making an agreed list of the expected behaviours specific to areas of the school eg. classroom, library, bus, etc. The next step is bringing a consistent approach to teaching and modelling these behaviours so they become embedded.
Mindfulness and PB4L are key parts of our 2019-2021 strategic plan;
Finally, I know this is an important time for families of senior students as you consider schooling options for 2020. Students in year 6 and 7 begin to look towards high school and think that the move will be better for them, for whatever reason?
Before deciding to make the move prior to completing year 8 I encourage you to consider these questions:
1. Is inquiry learning through connected units, where students are encouraged to pursue their interests and passions, more meaningful, engaging and relevant than the 55 minute blocks of unrelated subjects they are likely to face at high school?
2. Will students experience mindfulness and learning to support their personal emotional wellbeing at high school?
3. Will they enjoy the distraction free option of no mobile phones at high school?
4. Will they get opportunities to become leaders and enjoy leadership training and responsibility at high school?
5. Will they be offered weekly outdoor education such as paddle boarding, sailing, waka ama, hip hop dancing, horse riding, mountain biking and more? or get the chance to visit the Hilary Outdoors Centre at Mt Ruapehu?
6. Will they go to a school that is actively changing to meet the needs of every child, not just those with academic strengths?
We continue to work hard to offer students a diverse, relevant and modern education fit for a rapidly changing world. We are by no means there yet, but we will be guided by the very latest and best practice to continue to evolve for the best outcomes for our young people.
Survey on behalf ...
We have been asked to send out a short survey on behalf two Kerikeri High School students. Their introduction follows;
Kia Ora, we are two Kerikeri High School students in year 13 who are conducting a survey to collect statistics regarding viewpoints on having basic Te Reo Māori, Māori tikanga and Māori history taught from years 1-8 in selected schools of the area. The selected primary schools we have chosen to support our research and social action are Kerikeri Primary School, Riverview Primary School, Oromahoe Primary School and Bay of Islands Academy. These schools are the main schools that Kerikeri High School receive new year 7’s from and with Te Reo Māori being taught in years 7 and 8 we believe it would set a good foundation for new students entering the Kerikeri High School environment. This survey will collect data from parents and students of the 4 schools stated, anonymously. We are only focusing on the statistics our surveys receive rather than the pattern of who does or does not support our policy. Please be assured that our survey have been approved and supported by each school’s principals. We hope to receive your survey votes. Nga mihi.
Holiday changes
Recent visitors to school will have noticed some changes to our administration area. Our reception has moved to what was previously the principals office, and Chris our principal has swapped places. This means that visitors to the school need to come through the gate to get to reception.
The change was brought about by the recently installed new school fencing and the ease for our students and staff to get to the office and printer, and to see Sharon for a range of day to day needs.
The change was brought about by the recently installed new school fencing and the ease for our students and staff to get to the office and printer, and to see Sharon for a range of day to day needs.
Top Block Upgrade
Most exciting is that the plan is to retain and repair the exterior appeal of this important and significant building and to fully renovate the interior, including new fit for purpose shower/toilet facilities and extended decks to create indoor/outdoor learning spaces.
Phase one is to create a wish list for all the necessary additions to the new facility, a step which will include staff and students. Due to the significance of this building we will also consult with the community in Te Tii. I have included a first concept plan which has been created for discussion and invite feedback and comments from everyone in our community with an interest in this important space for our children.
Term 3 Outdoors - Horse Riding
The term 3 Friday outdoors activity for our Year 7 and 8 students is horse riding. After Waka Ama in term 1 and Hip Hop dancing in term 2 we are lucky enough, thanks to Kates Riding Academy, to offer our students this excellent opportunity.
Learning to ride a horse builds confidence and empathy and teaches young people about respect and care for animals.
Check out photos from the first rotation https://photos.app.goo.gl/Wy7dzbpDvi9wyLFp6
Friday, July 26, 2019
Tuesday, July 23, 2019
Monday, July 22, 2019
Welcoming new staff and students
On Monday morning at the beginning of term 3 we welcomed new staff and students to our school with a pōwhiri led by the kapa haka group. As usual the Board, staff and students were warm in their welcome of new families to our school community.
Included in the pōwhiri we were lucky to welcome Claudine Silich as a new teacher to our team. Claude is covering the maternity position for Jenna in Room 1. She comes to us with extensive experience from overseas teaching in early childhood in the International Baccalaureate. Claude and her husband Philip and their children Kosta, Mika and Max call Te Tii home and are thrilled to return to this place, and to the Bay Academy.
Also welcomed were Cameron, Anaia, Nicholas and Jasper in Room 1, Boston in Room 2 and Elijah in Room 3.
Friday, July 5, 2019
2019 New Board of Trustees
Introducing the newly elected Board of Trustees members for 2019. The next scheduled meeting is Wednesday 13th August at 4.30pm.
The Board of Trustees meets 10 times per year to support the governance of the school. Members of the public are welcome to attend BOT meetings in an observational capacity only. If you wish to address the Board your written submission must be emailed to Sharon Hirst, board secretary (admin@boi.ac.nz) 3 days prior to the relevant meeting.
Board meetings are advertised through our school Facebook page. We will also advertise through this newsletter for those who do not use Facebook.
The Board of Trustees meets 10 times per year to support the governance of the school. Members of the public are welcome to attend BOT meetings in an observational capacity only. If you wish to address the Board your written submission must be emailed to Sharon Hirst, board secretary (admin@boi.ac.nz) 3 days prior to the relevant meeting.
Board meetings are advertised through our school Facebook page. We will also advertise through this newsletter for those who do not use Facebook.
Tuesday, July 2, 2019
Building Student Agency through the PYP
Read about what it takes to build our children's capacity to act and/or exert power. This sense of having and making choices supports a healthy and empowered approach to life.
PYP students take the lead
The IB Primary Years Programme encourages students to identify and choose the areas of learning they wish to explore. IB World magazine speaks to three PYP teachers about how they support their students in directing their own learning. "When students feel they have a voice and the freedom to make supported choices in their learning, they will be engaged.
Monday, July 1, 2019
Matariki Community Hangi 2019
What is Matariki?
Matariki is the Māori name for the cluster of stars also known as the Pleiades. It rises in mid-winter and for many Māori, it heralds the start of a new year.
Matariki literally means the ‘eyes of god’ (mata ariki) or ‘little eyes’ (mata riki). According to myth, when Ranginui, the sky father, and Papatūānuku, the earth mother, were separated by their children, the god of the winds, Tāwhirimātea, became so angry that he tore out his eyes and threw them into the heavens.
Matariki is the Māori name for the cluster of stars also known as the Pleiades. It rises in mid-winter and for many Māori, it heralds the start of a new year.
Matariki literally means the ‘eyes of god’ (mata ariki) or ‘little eyes’ (mata riki). According to myth, when Ranginui, the sky father, and Papatūānuku, the earth mother, were separated by their children, the god of the winds, Tāwhirimātea, became so angry that he tore out his eyes and threw them into the heavens.
Cycles of life and death
Traditionally, Matariki was a time to remember those who had died in the last year. But it was also a happy event – crops had been harvested and seafood and birds had been collected. With plenty of food in the storehouses, Matariki was a time for singing, dancing and feasting.
Traditionally, Matariki was a time to remember those who had died in the last year. But it was also a happy event – crops had been harvested and seafood and birds had been collected. With plenty of food in the storehouses, Matariki was a time for singing, dancing and feasting.
Modern Matariki
Matariki, or Māori New Year celebrations were once popular, but stopped in the 1940s. In 2000, they were revived. Only a few people took part at first, but in just a few years thousands were honouring the ‘New Zealand Thanksgiving’. A special feature of Matariki celebrations is the flying of kites – according to ancient custom they flutter close to the stars.
Reference: https://teara.govt.nz/en/matariki-maori-new-year
Thank you to all in our community who were able to make the hangi lunch and kapa haka performance. A massive thanks to Mike and Trudy Porter for their outstanding organisation and commitment to making the hangi such a success. Thanks also to everyone who contributed in all the ways you did to make a special day for the children and school.
Matariki, or Māori New Year celebrations were once popular, but stopped in the 1940s. In 2000, they were revived. Only a few people took part at first, but in just a few years thousands were honouring the ‘New Zealand Thanksgiving’. A special feature of Matariki celebrations is the flying of kites – according to ancient custom they flutter close to the stars.
Reference: https://teara.govt.nz/en/matariki-maori-new-year
Thank you to all in our community who were able to make the hangi lunch and kapa haka performance. A massive thanks to Mike and Trudy Porter for their outstanding organisation and commitment to making the hangi such a success. Thanks also to everyone who contributed in all the ways you did to make a special day for the children and school.
2019 Matariki blog
52 new photos added to shared album
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