Form update

Well, the FLC's are still running, but mostly done, and the term is almost over.

We have mastered the art of formtiming.

Here are a couple of images to give you more of an idea.....

I'm not sure who took this on my phone, but it gives a good idea of how the class 'hang' in less intense times.  Below is us sitting actually alphabetically in today's fire drill.  Well done for finding #16 people.

Family Learning Conferences

After a successful run of Family Learning Conferences, I am pleased to report the stunning progress of the class as a whole.  Overwhelmingly our class are working hard and achieving good results.  There are always areas for improvement, which is what we focussed our discussion on, and there are always goals to achieve. 

Remember, Year 11's, you can always ask the Year 12's for advice and guidance, and the Year 12's can ask the Year 13's.  I too was once a student, back somewhere just before the extinction of the dinosaurs, and can offer advice and guidance.... sigh.  Mrs Latta is the Careers advisor and can offer specialised information and the Student Health Centre is ready to deal with any other issues you may have over the year.  There is always someone ready to help out.  Sing out and don't worry.  If your classes are stressful or you are having trouble balancing your committments, we can help you sort things out.

Sadly watching the news, it is apparent that students all over this country seem to lack conflict resolution strategies.  Help is always there, and you never need to resort to using your fists people!

On a happier note, it was great to see such an awesome group of people have such an awesome bunch of parental units!

The Paper Blog will be out next week with the last of the student profiles.  With 2 weeks left of term, we should be aiming to polish off assessments and make sure our notes are all as perfect as possible.

Farewell to Cat and Robin who will be off on the Geo trip to Tongariro this coming week.

A summary of the main concerns from students from the FLC's are as follows:

• Homework tasks are not overly explicitly given
• Revision needs to be happening now
• Ask for help when floundering
• You would like some Study Skills workshops

St Patrick's Day Mufti-ness

We just had the first mufti day of the year, and tragically, one of the coldest days so far!

However, we are not a class to react badly to weather, and we love a good chance to make a difference.  With proceeds going to fund research and treatment of MS, we got our green on.  And there is never a bad reason for a photo-shoot.

Sea Week

Last week was "Sea Week".  It is important that we think about the future, not just of ourselves but of the planet.  Water is a valuable resource, and one we take for granted.  Given news footage and discussion around scientific whaling, penguin breeding and giant squids, we need to think about our oceans more and more.  We all need to drink, and we need the cooling qualities of the ocean to regulate the temperature of planet earth.

We spent the week thinking of FISH!  Which is far more about OUR future.  Remember to keep being positive, helpful and lighten other peoples lives.  Being happy is not rocket science, and happy people are more productive.

Fish! The other stuff

The last blog recapped 'Being There' and 'Choosing your Attitude'.  This blog will cover the last 2 elements of Fish!

'Make their Day'.  The idea here is that we look for chances to make someone else's day.  This can be simple, like holding a door open, or carrying a bag, or saying 'thanks', or simply talking to a new person in school.  If we all made more of an effort to look out for the feelings of others, the world would be a much nicer place to be.

'Play'.  Everyone loves to play... but this is not just about having games.  It is a state of wonder, like young children have, where they are excited about so many new things.  'Play' is not about just goofing off, but it is serious (remember playing in the sand-pit, or tag, the rules were important!) and it has to be inline with the other elements.  You do not 'play' in a way that is negative, or not making someone elses day etc.  Play is the fun element, but no more or less important than others.

This there week are the Family Learning Conferences.  I look forward to seeing some of you again, and meeting some of you for the first time.

Fish! Update

Kendall's fish
Originally uploaded by trivia_buff101

This week has been Sea Week. So far we have made a lovely sea of fish (which will be uploaded on Friday) and looked at 2 elements of the Fish! Philosophy.


Yesterday was "Being There". To make the most of our opportunities, we need to be present in every respect of the word. This means intently listening, focussing on our friends. Not being distracted in class. Being aware of how the people around you are feeling. Our task was to find at least 3 places in the day where we could "be there" for our learning and our friends.


Today was "Choose your Attitude". No one ever says you have to have a good day or enjoy the classes you take. But it is important that we make the most of what we have by choosing to participate, to try, to be positive and to do our best. The task was to go through the day with a positive and upbuilding attitude.


Neither "being there" nor "choosing our attitude" are easy. It takes effort, honesty and really trying. It is exhausting. But, it improves our interactions with others.


The reason for updating today was Kendall's wonderful gesture. She made us all Fish! cookies, which kept her busy for all hours last night, and decorated lovely fishies. This is a perfect example of what we are doing tomorrow, as well as choosing to have a positive attitude about your class and being there to make people feel better in the morning. Good on you Kendall, you rock!

The Colouring Competition!

Well, after a 3 day Olympic whirlwind effort, we completed the colouring contest.  Mr Tavenor was our celebrity judge who decided on our winners, which was no easy task.  He spent a lot of time contemplating what to do.  In the end he settled on 2 winners.  Daniella won the colouring portion, and Kendall won the description part.  Well done both of you!

Nella's colouring will be posted below, and Kendalls description.  Well done awesome ones.

Remember, Family Learning Conferences are next week.  Contact me if you need to swap your times over.  Try my cell or email, as I am not very good at clearing school phone messages.... I always seem to get thrown out of the programme or directed to call reception?

Kendall's description of the class:
"The background shows that we are all bright, happy students full of sunshine and rainbows.  The bold dark letters represent the fact that we can conquer all and that we have a secret dark side....

"Every coloured ring has a meaning.  Together they represent us JM students as a class, a class that can dominate the world!

"Red:  This gives us action and confidence to go after our dreams.  It protects us from our fears and anxieties.  It symbolises life and vitality, and Mars, the God of War.

"Blue:  This is the calming colour, so soothing that it is a good choice for pjamas.  Dark blue is the colour of truth and moderation.  It symbolises our youth, providing protection and confidence.

"Green:  This represents our learning, harmony and growth.  Green gemstones are used to attract money, prosperity and wealth.  This symbolises the master healer and life force.

"Purple:  This symbolises magic and mystery, long associated with imagination and inspiration.  It removes obstacles and helps you to use your imagination.

"Orange:  This is POWER!  A healing colour.  Orange people are thoughtful and sincere.  Orange shows curiosity and the exploration of new things.  This spices things up, increases creativity and promotes personal power."

All about the learning

So far we have had a fun start to the year, and some spectacular results.  Kylie has been a star on the track, while Louis has been juggling sprinting success with the title role in MacBeth.  A number of students have already gained credits in some classes, which is a great start for the year.

Family Learning Conferences are not far off, next week I believe, and then the end of the term will roll about awfully quickly.  Time is certainly of the essence.

This week is SEA WEEK.  Not only will our focus be on water and conservation, but also on sealife.  With this, we will be making fish in class on Monday, and discussing the Fish! philosophy during the rest of the week.  The aim is to create effective workers with a good balance in life.  We are all under pressure at the moment, and it is a good time to reflect on how we can balance this all out.

 

The girls in action during a form hacky-sack competition