Great start to 2010

What a great start to 2010. 35 enrolments on day 1. More teachers employed so that class numbers are dropped substantially. Only 24 students in Y7/8 classes means the rooms have space to move, teachers can get around students easily. The tone in rooms has been wonderful in week 1. Three new staff have shown great enthusiasm and passion. The grounds are looking great thanks to a fantastic property manager. The new mural is coming along. new equipment has been introduced for play and lunch times. The new fitness circuit is coming together and has already been well used.

Next week the Peer Mediators and Playground Activity Leaders (PALs) will be in action.

The Human Rights in Education (HRiE) lens will be applied to our school this year. Students will develop an understanding of human rights, the rights of children and of course the responsibilities that go with all of these! Rights and responsibilities will be reflected in class contracts and treaties.

We have an exciting year ahead!

Visits to Other Schools

In the past week I visited three schools, Nelson Central, Enner Glen, and Lower Moutere. I went to see examples of Human Rights In Education (HRiE) in action. This is an approach and an attitude we wish to embed at Bluestone School. Children have rights, and need to know and to celebrate these rights. With these rights come responsibilities.

The HRiE approach sees students and teachers discussing the rights and responsibilities, drawing up class, playground and school agreements which then guide decisions on actions, attitudes and behaviours. I spoke with students, principals, staff, and parents about what the schools I visited have been doing with HRiE in 2009. I visited classes and saw first hand the work completed and the understandings gained. This whole approach works in so well with what we are doing at Bluestone. Our values, our vision, the key competencies, restorative justice, and peer mediators at Bluestone all sit within an effective HRiE school.

The Principal of Enner Glen School is Isaac Day (a former Deputy Principal at Bluestone) so it was great to see his school and the pride Isaac has in his school's direction. Isaac keeps a strong interest in Bluestone and it was great to catch up with him.

With just 4 weeks left of this school year there is much to be achieved. There are lots of activities for the students so plenty to keep everyone motivated and learning!