<![CDATA[Winchester School - Our future direction]]>Wed, 24 Jan 2018 17:27:49 +1300EditMySite<![CDATA[Community Consultation May 2017]]>Wed, 17 May 2017 08:49:22 GMThttp://www.winchester.school.nz/our-future-direction/community-consultation-may-2017We are holding a Hui in the school hall on Tuesday 30th May. If you are not able to make the meeting, please take the online survey.

Please click on the button below and you will be taken to the survey.
Take the survey.
Thank you for taking the time to help inform our future decision.
]]><![CDATA[What's the point of school?]]>Tue, 02 May 2017 07:32:03 GMThttp://www.winchester.school.nz/our-future-direction/whats-the-point-of-schoolIn 2008 Guy Claxton, a Professor at University of Winchester, wrote a book titled, "What's The Point Of School?" It's a catchy title with a big question!

So, in your opinion, what is the point of school?

To learn to read, write and do maths? Is there more that you want for your child? If there could be only 3 outcomes after 6 years at Winchester School ,what would you want them to be? 

The youtube clip below illustrates what Finland's approach has been and why. Finland is now the country that many are looking towards for ideas in the future of education.

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]]><![CDATA[Reporting to Parents]]>Wed, 12 Apr 2017 02:06:09 GMThttp://www.winchester.school.nz/our-future-direction/reporting-to-parentsWhat's important for you to learn about when you meet with teachers? What's important for you to share with your child's teacher? What should be shared and by whom?

We are required by the Ministry of Education to report to parents twice  a year, in writing, using plain language. Parents have access to up to date assessment information via eTap and we currently have a meet the teacher evening in Term 1, then a mid year conference with a written report, and an end of year written report.

What other ways would you like to see your child's learning? Public exhibition? Shared to you via a private blog or app?

The clip below is part of the Most Likely to Succeed movie and the school, each term, works towards an exhibition of learning.
Learners making something is a powerful way for them to show their learning- a movie, a pamphlet, a dance, a 3D model, a website, a working model - all great ways that take learning out of books and give the learning an authentic purpose.

How might students share learning with their teachers, parents and peers at Winchester School?
]]><![CDATA[Why are schools turning to Innovative Learning Environments?]]>Mon, 03 Apr 2017 21:10:36 GMThttp://www.winchester.school.nz/our-future-direction/why-are-schools-turning-to-innovate-learning-environmentsMLEs, ILEs, FLEs? What does all this mean and why are NZ schools changing?

Modern learning environments, flexible learning environments and the Ministry of Education's term -  Innovative Learning Environments, are defined by the MOE as:

An innovative learning environment is an environment where the National Curriculum is being expressed in the way it is intended. It is capable of evolving and adapting as educational practices evolve and change – thus remaining future focused. This reflects the fact that education needs to keep pace with the world we are preparing young people for.
Innovative learning environments are learner-focussed and emphasise valued learner outcomes. They encourage collaboration and inquiry, both for learners and teachers, and allow teachers to teach in the style that best suits the needs of diverse learners.
Ministry of Education - Innovative Learning Environments
An ILE usually has multiple teachers - anywhere from 2 to 5. A common grouping is 3 to allow 2 teachers to act as instructors and a third as a learning coach. The space is open plan and would have the same teacher to student ratio as a traditional classroom.
ILEs operate differently to traditional classrooms though. In an ILE there is much more emphasis on students managing themselves and making decisions for their own learning.


​Click this link to see a youtube clip about Pegasus Bay School in Christchurch. It was made by the Ministry of Education and is a glimpse into what the MOE sees as the future for schooling in New Zealand.
Pegasus Bay School youtube clip



​What kind of learning environments do you think would support our learners to be confident, connected, creators and contributors?
]]><![CDATA[Creating a Learner Profile for Winchester School.]]>Sun, 26 Mar 2017 22:38:34 GMThttp://www.winchester.school.nz/our-future-direction/creating-a-learner-profile-for-winchester-schoolWhat skills and dispositions will make our learners most likely to succeed both now and in the future?
Our New Zealand curriculum has a vision of: Confident, Connected, Actively involved, Lifelong learners. (pg 8, NZC) Looking closely at these 4 ideas we could rename them as Confident, Connected, Contributors and Creators. Are these desirable outcomes for our Winchester learners?
Confident:
  • positive in their own identity
  • motivated and reliable
  • enterprising and entrepreneurial
  • resilient
Connected:
  • able to relate well to others
  • effective users of communication skills
  • connected to the land and environment
  • members of communities
  • international (global) citizens
Contributors:
  • ​participants in a range of life contexts
  • contributors to the well-being of New Zealand - social, cultural, economic and environmental
Creators:
  • literate and numerate
  • critical and creative thinkers
  • active seekers and creators of knowledge
  • informed decision makers
The movie clip below contains some content from a movie the staff have watch called "Most Likely to Succeed." The movie refers to "soft skills" needed for the 21st century.
What are the outcomes that you want for Winchester School learners? Where might those ideas fit when considering the 4Cs model above?
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