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

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."

Welcome to the Flog!

So.... other classes have a blog, we have an official Flog (form-blog).

Here we will stay up to date with things happening around class and the school.  A web-portal into the form class if you will.  Firstly, the important dates to note for Term 1 2010 at Kuranui College:

Term 1 dates:  Official Tuesday 2 February - Thursday 1 April

Jan 29 - Senior re-enrolement.  Come in for course confirmation, getting your timetables and making sure you have the requirements for all your classes.  This is really important, because it will be when the class sizes are determined and all that jazz.  Don't just wait around til you are in officially, sort it out.  AND, let's face it, you lost your stationery lists, and you can get a new copy, and even negotiate which classes you are in.

Monday 1 Feb- Get your stuff sorted out for school.  Only teachers are in school this day.

Tuesday 2 February:  Seniors only (11's-13's).  We will probably have an extended form-time.  Ours is an Hawaiian Luau theme.  Expect to be issued a costume, given tropical punch, and a timetable. Photos will be mandatory.  And limbo.

Wednesday 3 Feb- Juniors and senior buddies only.  You probably need a day of rest after the luau.

From February 4, it is school as usual for everyone.  So make sure that you are ready to learn with pens and pencils and all that.

Important dates to remember:
6 Feb- Waitangi Day (and MBA fair day)
14 Feb - Valentines Day and the start of Chinese New Year (Year of the Tiger)
6 March- MBA Fair
17 March- St Patrick's Day (He scared the snakes out of Ireland you know)
1 April- April Fools Day
2 April- Good Friday and the first day of the holidays


Basically, have a great holiday, but remember that you will need to have a brain ready for 2010 and a fabulous year of learning.  During term 1 there will also be Swimming Sports, Athletic Sports and the first of your Family Learning Conferences, so we have a lot to pack into a small period of time.

Happy Holidays!