Behaviour Management

We have enjoyed two days of training as a whole staff with margaret Thorsborne. Margaret is a trainer from Australia who brings real knowledge and wisdom around the process of Restorative Practice. This means that we look at behaviour in a different way and we will revamp our behaviour management system. Rather than punishing bad behaviour we are looking at how we can repair the harm caused when relationships are affected when things go bad.

Punishment seldom works and tends to only have a short term benefit. We know this when the students who present with unacceptable behaviours are constant re offenders. Something has to change for these kids and so an approach which helps them understand the impact their actions have had on others appears to be the way forward. This is NOT a soft apporach with all feel good stuff! The approach gets to the emotional intelligences we all have and as a result has a more powerful and long term effect. Of course one approach doesn't fit all but in general we can approach behaviour problems in a more effective way and I am delighted that staff have accepted this and are willing to consider different approaches than we have relied upon ion the past.

Improving relationships so that there is two way respect, so that both sides feel listened to and so both accept some responsibility in finding a suitable and satisfactory solution is a positive step we are ready to make. It is great to have a staff open minded to change and prepared to give new approaches a go. Having had the knowledge and wisdom of Margaret has been wonderful as we needed to understand the WHY before we looked at the HOW.

We intend to have Circle time running in all rooms as part of a proactive approach. Circle time gives avenues for expressing feelings and frustrations and acknowledgements. We appreciate that we need to give children the language to express these things. Perhaps if many adults had had this opportunity we wouldn't have so many issues in society? Not that simple I know but we have to do things better than we have been doing them in the past!

If you want to know more about Restorative Practices, Circle time, behaviour management approaches, then email me or drop me a line. It is always good to discuss such topics as it develops all our thinking.

Questioning

During the year we are working with students to improve the sorts of questions asked. Questions can help us to gain new understanding. Some questions are better than others depending on what we want to find out. Closed questions have a shorter answer, are factual, are specific and do not allow for opinion. Closed questions are good to ask when we quickly want a factual answer. Closed questions often begin with Who or When or Where. Open questions have many answers, can be an informed opinion and may lead to further questions. Open questions often begin with Why or How or What If. At Bluestone we encourage open questions so that students unlock ideas and seek alternative solutions and opinions to develop their thinking. With so much information now available on the web students need to ask questions and use thinking that challenges if the information available is reliable. We encourage you to think about the types of questions you use with your children. Do you encourage children to investigate, explain and summarise? These are skills that need practise and more beyond remembering to understanding.

New mosaics at Bluestone

We have some fabulous new mosaic boards at Bluestone School. Penni Naylor has created wonderful creative creatures to brighten up a fence in the junior area of our school. They are well worth a visit to view.

New values boards at Bluestone

We have added new values boards at Bluestone. Honesty, Excellence, Aroha, Respect, Tolerance. They are colourful and look great. Values are not just words but rather they are actions and interactions that anyone should see when they visit Bluestone.

Trip to Melbourne

Over the past weekend I visited Marysville a school 95 minutes out of Melbourne which was destroyed by the bushfires. The school has been rebuilt and fundraising from our district helped to purchase new maths resources. I have to really admire the principal of this school. She was so positive and cared so much for her students and for the district. The new school is certainly one to be proud of. A lot of the building designs reflect our thinking at Bluestone. It was great to see pre school and school and health care all on the same site - how sensible!

Term Two

A week has gone by in term 2.

Lots has happened already. A new sculpture, new murals, new ceramic tiles has made for great additions in the grounds. New class topics looking at human rights in education tie in nicely to ANZAC Day. The stories that come from this study are powerful for the children to relate to. Staff professional development is encouraging teachers to look at how questioning can bring the best thinking out of students. Asking the right sort of questions encourages students to think deeply, to think outside the square, to query their own thinking and the thinking of others. In written language staff are spending time discussing what children should be achieving at each curriculum level so that we are consistent in what we mark and analyse. This is particularly relevant as we work more with the National Standards and look at effective reporting to parents.

We are to have a Board of Trustees elections which reflects the good support that parents are giving our school. It is wonderful that parents recognise the importance of having strong governance. We appreciate the interest shown.

This term will see lots of new learning and exciting activities. Keep reading the class postings to see what each class is up to. Watch this space!

Term 2

Term 1 has finished. The term saw a number of events involving students, parents and staff. The breakfast BBQs for students and their Dads or Grandads were great successes. The fish and chip tea gave students a great chance to introduce their parents to their teacher and to show off their classrooms. Three Way conferences provided an opportunity for students, parents and teachers to set learning goals and to review progress made thus far. Year 8s enjoyed a great camp in Hanmer, and all students had the opportunity to improve their swimming skills and confidence.

New murals and a new statue were unveiled, giving a great school environment.

Term 2 will be equally busy with the opportunity for students to learn lots of new things and to experience additional activities. Winter sport teams will be underway and students involved in music will perform in variety music shows. In our first week back Dan deHar's statue will be blessed and unveiled with our kapahaka group performing for the occasion. The Board of Trustee elections will give all parents the opportunity to put their name forward to contribute to the governing of our great school. A new Mountainbike club will encourage students and parents to get active and share some common challenges and fun. Year 5-8 students will have their cross country runs. There is always lots to do and with the right encouragement and support all students can enjoy new challenges and new learning.