Matt Ives and Amesbury School feature in Sunday Star Times

An article from Sunday Star Times....

Tech-savvy teachers join Google academy

From Stuff 

A group of technology-savvy Kiwi teachers are now Google-certified after attending an exclusive academy across the ditch.

Nine primary and secondary teachers, from Wellington, Auckland and Nelson, were part of a group of 51 from 14 countries selected for the two-day Google Teacher Academy in Sydney this week.

The company's Asia Pacific head of education, Suan Yeo, has hailed the Kiwi participants' competency in the area of technology, and predicted amazing things once all schools get ultra-fast broadband.

They will join a league of only 1000 teachers around the world to attend the Google academy, which has been teaching participants about online education tools such as blogging, maps and apps since it began three years ago.

Tawa Intermediate teacher Stephanie Thompson said being accepted into the academy was "a bit like winning the golden ticket".

Her application included a couple of essays and a video explaining the Wellington school's approach to learning through technology. "It was quite cut-throat to get in."

They participated in "part training, part networking" inside the company's offices at Darling Harbour, where great things happened inside, she said. "Like, did you know Google now has newspaper articles going back to 1850, online?"

The amount of online information "at the kids' fingertips" was great for learning. In fact, her pupils already knew many tricks, including online chatting to her during her trip and tracking her movements through the city.

"I could also see some of the work they were doing online while I was overseas."

Nearby Amesbury School teacher Matt Ives, who Thompson often collaborates with on all things "tech", also attended the academy.

He said his school "instantly got it" that Google apps helped pupils learn, and getting official training helped him learn the best, hands-on uses.

It wasn't about being distracted by "new shiny tools".

"Technology works the best when you don't really notice it, it's a natural part of school life or learning. It's there when you need it, it's simple."

Teachers at the academy were innovative, he said. One had already started building an app they thought of during the course.

"You get kind of ignited with this passion when you're among people like that.

"We're doing some amazing things and it's about sharing the awesomeness between schools."

A few hundred teachers applied for the academy, and it was exciting to have nine from New Zealand among the chosen 51, Yeo said

Summary of information from BOT meeting 17 April 2013

Board Evaluation Report: The Board Evaluation report from Colin Prentice (of Prentice Consultants) following Colin’s interviews at the community evening was considered by the Board of Trustees. The main issue Colin identified was that people did not have a clear idea of just what the work of the Board is. As a result, it was agreed that a summary of each Board meeting would be communicated to parents through the blog and notice board. Colin has been retained to do further evaluation work and annual Principal appraisal work for the Board.

End of Building/Grounds Warranty Period: Discussions are taking place with Maycroft to ensure finalisation of building issues to comply with warranty requirements. This includes discussion on the driveway entrance which is causing some problems.

Amesbury Grounds’ Development: A presentation on a proposed landscape design for the ongoing development of the grounds was made by Mark Newdick. Staff, students and the community will be consulted on design components including: eco areas, outdoor music instruments, fantasy elements, amphitheatre, forest planting and play equipment as well as a fitness track available for community use. The APs will be working with Mark to facilitate consultation with our students, in the first instance.

Religious Education: The Religious Education policy was reviewed. It was agreed that the draft policy be amended to reflect the feedback received from parents. This would see the clause allowing groups to provide religious education to be removed and a clause included which states that religious groups will invited in to share their beliefs from time-to-time as part of the curriculum inquiry into religion.

Annual review of enrolment scheme: The current enrolment scheme was confirmed for the next 12 months. This is an annual Ministry of Education requirement.
Enrolment Policy review: A review of the Enrolment policy was undertaken to provide more flexibility for those families who are building homes in the zone, but the houses are not yet complete. The Board has approved a policy that will allow children of such families to enrol at Amesbury School even though the family has not yet moved into the zone. However, families in this situation will be required to provide evidence of their intent and regular, clear reporting on progress towards the move. The Board will reserve the right to nullify an enrolment if the move takes too long.

Recapitation: Lesley provided a report on the recapitation process to date. Local MPs and the Minister will be invited to Amesbury School for a presentation on recapitation in the near future.

Principal Appraisal: The Principal’s annual appraisal process was commenced, and job description confirmed. Colin Prentice will assist with the process.

Finances: to 31 March 2013 were approved and noted as tracking as per the budget.

Policy Review: Various policies were reviewed including: Behaviour Management, Complaints, Financial Delegations, Sensitive Expenditure, Fraud Prevention.  Methods for ensuring the sharing of policy documentation with the school community will be investigated.

Community evening: Feedback from the community evening was considered. It was noted that BYOD was one area that needed further discussion/ consultation. Feedback on the whole was very positive.

Next meeting of the Board: 22 May 2013 (5.30pm, meeting room) will be the final meeting of the current Board before elections take place.

Electives request

I am planning on doing papier mâché for Electives in a couple of weeks time.  If you have any of the following that you don't mind donating, I'd be really grateful:
* toilet rolls (empty!)
* newspaper
* shoeboxes or cardboard boxes
* old plastic bowls
* wool

You can drop them off to me (Fiona) in Harakeke, or leave them in the Harakeke team space.

Thank you very much.

Fiona White

Drop Off Zone - No Stopping Area

Just a friendly reminder that the drop off zone outside school is strictly a no stopping zone.  It is imperative that this area is kept free flowing for it to work properly.  If you need to wait for more than a couple of minutes, please park your car in one of the spaces provided.  If there are no spaces available, you must park on Amesbury Drive - not in the drop off zone.

Please help us to keep all our students and families safe.

Many thanks
Gail

Indonesian Evening at Amesbury School - A Johnsonville Rotary Club Event

The President of the Rotary Club of Johnsonville extends a warm invitation to an International Evening – a celebration of Indonesian music, dance and food.

His Excellence the Ambassador of Indonesia will be the keynote speaker

Date:             Monday 17^th June 2013 at 7:00pm (arrivals 6:50pm)

Venue:          Amesbury School Hall

Cost:             $25.00 per person

If you are interested in buying tickets, please email office@amesbury.school.nz with your name and number of tickets required.  Details of how to pay and collect 

tickets will be sent to you with confirmation of your request.

Noho Marae 2013

Kia ora,

It appears that a number of people have been having problems accessing the previous acceptance form for the Noho Marae.  Instead of embedding the form on the blog, we have now included a link to the reply form.

Click here to access the form, then submit once completed.  As we need numbers for catering, we would appreciate it if you could let us have this information as soon as possible.

Many thanks,
Crisanna

2013 Trustee Elections - Nominations to Date

The following nominations have been received to date for the parent representative positions (nominations are listed alphabetically by surname):

• John Bunting
• Steven Dunbar
• Mark Gilchrist
• Simon Law
• Lorraine Walmsley
• David Waters

Nominations close at 12:00 noon on 16th May 2013
An election will be held.  Voting papers will be sent out by 21st May 2013.