Back to business

Reflection and perspective is important especially for educators. When we have to face the data and External results, we must look at what worked and more importantly what did not work. We then need to look at the big picture and see beyond the number and as mentioned in my earlier post, think about your approach on you will make the necessary changes to ensure success for your learners. Perspective can have a trans-formative power in how we see, understand and approach our situation, problem, crisis and life.

Looking back at the results from the English Department 2019 - overall picture tells me that there is a need for improvement. There are gaps that need to be addressed and there are areas in our student's learning in Level 1,2 and 3 English that need to be rectified. However there was a highlight - in my opinion - a few highlights that help to bring a positive perspective to the big picture in particular a monumental highlight for our Level 1 students.

Student intervention was a priority for our department. We identified the students who were at risk of achieving at the end of Term 1. We met with the students, contacted their parents and then gave the student the choice to choose who they were comfortable working with. This proved to be successful as the students were then engaged because they were with a teacher who they felt could help them. Going forward, we will review this intervention with our department to see how they feel, what worked or did not work for them.



Unfamiliar Text - traditionally this an external paper that Tamaki College students choose not to attempt and if they do, the success rate is low. The actual skill required for this External paper is reading comprehension. Many of students start college reading and writing below the National average. As a department we knew that we wanted to change this and we wanted the students to feel confident with this External paper. We knew that before we could nurture success for the students, it had to star
t with the department. As a department we discussed our fears, frustrations and truth with this external assessment. As a department we extended this discussion with Dr Aaron Wilson and Cynthia Orr (Woolf Fisher) who came on board and provided the department with the forum to discuss with each other, provided support and PD for the department and then provided support with our Year 11 students. This intervention - for both staff and student - was pivotal in shifting in our approach to this dreaded assessment. We were honest with each other and with ourselves and this helped to break down that barrier that we face as teachers. As a result, we had 31 students pass the External assessment. We are very grateful and humbled and this was definitely a highlight.

Jump Start is a program for our Year 9 and Year 10 students that is introduced in Term 4. The program sees our Year 9 students go into Year 10 and our Year 10 students go into Year 11 starting NCEA Level 1. This was successful for the English Department - in particular for our new Year 11 students as they used Term 4 to start banking credits for Level 1. The response was positive and has been a good start for our new cohort of Year 11 students. Many of them started Level 1 English assessments in Term 3 so going into Jump Start was easy as they continued to work on these assessments, for some they were able to complete and move onto other Level 1 English assessment.

The Team - Ms George and I need to acknowledge our team who went above and beyond. Their hearts of service and desire for our students to succeed are just some of the many attributes that our journey in 2019 memorable and rewarding.

20/20 Vision

New year, new decade.

Going into the new year, like most people, I have thought about what I want for this year both professionally and personally. It got me thinking about the concept of 20/20 vision. 20/20 vision is a term used to express normal visual acuity (the clarity or sharpness of vision) measured at a distance of 20 feet.

The 'clarity of vision' that I am hoping and praying for this year is to: 

Move - Faith without works is just words. I want to 'move' - in the sense that I want to action and work towards my goals, dreams etc.
Multiply - I am blessed, I want to continue to be expectant but also hungry with my goals. I want to work hard so that I can multiply my chances in getting what I want to achieve.
Maintain - I want to maintain the same work ethic and values in everything I do, say and action. I also want to maintain and nurture all of relationships - family, friends, church, work - these are important to me.
Manifest - I want to continue to speak 'life' and declare success, even when I feel like a failure.
Miracle - Expect the great :D

With everything that has happened personally and professionally in the last 10 years, my goals - whilst not new to most people - are the very things that I need to keep me grounded. It is important to have a vision - clear or not - for yourself. I look forward to talking to my students about what their vision is for themselves this year.