Keeping children safe online

We are fortunate that Pauline Spence from Netsafe is returning to Tai Tokerau to deliver her workshops across our wider region. Netsafe is all about online safety and reporting.

This session is for parents, whānau and caregivers who may be looking for more information to help them support their young people with their time online. Details are in the brochure below.



Here is a Netsafe resource available for parents and whānau to begin with;



This is also an opportunity to remind parents that we have a kawa of care in place for students when using devices at school. Details of this are included here for your information. It is designed to develop and support the behaviours required to use time online responsibly and in a principled and caring way.

Positive Behaviour for Learning (PB4L) update

We have been working on establishing a simple set of values on which to base the teaching of behaviour and expectations in school and on school based activities. PB4L is a key strategic goal for our school supporting a focus on emotional and social wellbeing for our children.

Based on the input of students, parents, whānau and staff we have identified 4 shared values common across our school community. They are;

AROHA - RESILIENCE - WHANAUNGATANGA - RESPONSIBILITY
(follow this link for detailed definitions of the Māori words https://maoridictionary.co.nz/) 

We plan to use these as the basis for teaching the behaviours that lead to a healthy social/emotional, and successful learning environment at our school. The goal is that students, parents, whānau and staff gain a clear understanding of the expected behaviours and strive to live up to them.

We'll lead this by asking the question, Ko wai au? Who am I? The following graphic combines the values with all the elements of the IB Learner Profile.

Staying up to date

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.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/68BS8JF

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.

Top Block Upgrade

We are very excited to have received confirmation from the Ministry of Education about funding to upgrade the top block catering for our new entrants, year 1, 2 and 3 students.

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

Free Dental Care foe under 18's

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