As we head into the term break there is much to be grateful for. I am really proud of the team at PCS who have navigated their way through the COVID-19 period. The staff, students, whanau, parish and community have united in their prayers, strength and support. Our staff and students have shown their resilience in this challenging time. Learning has continued in an online capacity with the teachers connecting with their students through google hangouts, emails and blogs. Relationships with whanau were strengthened and understanding of your child's learning has increased as you have been able to see the online platforms in action. The parish have been taking part in the school community with Father Larry messaging, sharing in online celebrations and learning. The staff collaborated to put together a COVID-19 adapted mid year learning report for students and whanau based on the past 7 weeks of online learning. There is much to celebrate as the students have now set new goals to head towards in the second part of the year.
We are continuing to work on our local curriculum as a school, and have been gathering insights from you our key stakeholders to build our knowledge. It has been an exciting journey to see our student graduate profile evolve and we look forward to sharing this with you when it is completed. Information has come through students, staff, board, iwi, parish, Ministry and the Catholic Schools Office.
Key insights gathered so far around our Catholic faith, Academic, Dispositions and Future Focus.
- We value our Catholic faith
- Proud to be a Mercy school
- Leadership of students
- Kaitiaki
- Whanaungatanga
- Future global citizens who are creative, collaborative, critical thinkers and communicators
- Strive for excellence
- Resilient
Remember this is evolving, so if you have more insights to share, please come in and give us your ideas.
Have a wonderful and safe term break. We look forward to seeing you all in term 3.
God bless
Kathryn
Monday, July 6, 2020
Wednesday, April 8, 2020
Term One 2020
Welcome to our students, whanau, parish, community and friends of the school. We have a brand new team in place at PCS and are really looking forward to the year ahead. I have a different view on the school as I move into a "helicopter" role. I am the very lucky recipient of a NZ Teacher Study Award for 2020 and will be studying for a Masters in Education with a Leadership Endorsement. I am excited to build on my kete of knowledge to help support my role as Principal. I leave Joanne Ryken as Acting Principal and welcome Dannielle Cook as our Acting Deputy Principal. We have a wonderful team of current staff and new staff too. Come in and meet our team. I look forward to supporting them all for the year in the background. We have such a capable team and I know that you too, will support them.
There is lots to look forward to as we continue with our RISE theme for 2020 - respect, inspire, service and excellence. Under the umbrella of Caring for God's Creation our students will be immersed in helping us to continue planning and implementing our local curriculum. We are in our 3rd year as a Manaiakalani school, and you will see digital learning throughout the school, keeping a balance with all curriculum areas.
Term 1 is a fabulous term of Religious Education as we celebrate St Joseph's Day, Shrove Tuesday, Ash Wednesday, Lent, the Annunciation and of course Easter. I know you will join me in welcoming our new parish priest Father Larry Rustia. He has taught us so much already.
God bless
Kathryn
There is lots to look forward to as we continue with our RISE theme for 2020 - respect, inspire, service and excellence. Under the umbrella of Caring for God's Creation our students will be immersed in helping us to continue planning and implementing our local curriculum. We are in our 3rd year as a Manaiakalani school, and you will see digital learning throughout the school, keeping a balance with all curriculum areas.
Term 1 is a fabulous term of Religious Education as we celebrate St Joseph's Day, Shrove Tuesday, Ash Wednesday, Lent, the Annunciation and of course Easter. I know you will join me in welcoming our new parish priest Father Larry Rustia. He has taught us so much already.
God bless
Kathryn
Thursday, October 24, 2019
Term 4, 2019
Sitting at the Manaiakalani Wananga in October to work with other schools, teachers and Principals from this nationwide programme.
Congratulations to Joanne Ryken who presented as part of the Manaiakalani Innovative Teacher (MIT) programme
A great opportunity for us to listen to these teachers share their inquiry projects all linked to student achievement.
This term we look at the device roll out. A wonderful opportunity for our whanau to purchase a device for their child/ren. Students are able to access a huge range of learning anytime, anywhere, anyhow. Being part of Manaiakalani enables us to access the best device at the best price!
The summer learning journey is another opportunity for our students to continue their learning over summer. This is a chance to access learning. The students must have blogged and taken part in our cyber safety programme - cybersmart. The students take part in nationwide learning which is marked by University students. The summer slump of learning is avoided as part of this wonderful project!
We are certainly very blessed to have these great opportunities for our schools and students!
Congratulations to Joanne Ryken who presented as part of the Manaiakalani Innovative Teacher (MIT) programme
A great opportunity for us to listen to these teachers share their inquiry projects all linked to student achievement.
This term we look at the device roll out. A wonderful opportunity for our whanau to purchase a device for their child/ren. Students are able to access a huge range of learning anytime, anywhere, anyhow. Being part of Manaiakalani enables us to access the best device at the best price!
The summer learning journey is another opportunity for our students to continue their learning over summer. This is a chance to access learning. The students must have blogged and taken part in our cyber safety programme - cybersmart. The students take part in nationwide learning which is marked by University students. The summer slump of learning is avoided as part of this wonderful project!
We are certainly very blessed to have these great opportunities for our schools and students!
Tuesday, August 20, 2019
Term 3, 2019
We have had loads of visitors into PCS this term and it is so exciting to be able to hear the feedback of what they are seeing from our learners.
Recently we hosted the Principal's from Tamaki and some Manaiakalani staff too. The highlights that I shared with staff included:
Recently we hosted the Principal's from Tamaki and some Manaiakalani staff too. The highlights that I shared with staff included:
Today we welcomed Principals from Tamaki in Auckland to our space. Our seniors were fabulous ambassadors for our school. The whakatau included some impressive waiata too! Highlights they mentioned:
- quality teaching and learning
- depth of learning and vocabulary in the play based learning
- quality of learning in STEM and the student blogs
- contracts covering a range of curriculum areas
- mahi tahi covering co-operation, communication, collaboration and creativity
- all students were engaged and could talk about their learning
- tuakana teina in action
So proud of our school staff and students!!!
What a great chance to celebrate with the staff and build on our learning with our focus on critical thinking school wide.
We have also been using some data gathered from our Kahui Ako based on student agency. Again, a chance to celebrate with our learners feeling safe and valued. They use feedback from the teacher's to improve their work and enjoy working with their peers.
Next steps for us will be to continue to work on planning of next steps by our students. If they have a strong understanding of where they need to go, it really impacts on their achievement.
It is so good to have "outside eyes" to come in and give us some valuable feedback to build on what we gather as a school.
Ka mau to wehi PCS!!!
We have also been using some data gathered from our Kahui Ako based on student agency. Again, a chance to celebrate with our learners feeling safe and valued. They use feedback from the teacher's to improve their work and enjoy working with their peers.
Next steps for us will be to continue to work on planning of next steps by our students. If they have a strong understanding of where they need to go, it really impacts on their achievement.
It is so good to have "outside eyes" to come in and give us some valuable feedback to build on what we gather as a school.
Ka mau to wehi PCS!!!
Wednesday, May 29, 2019
Term 2, 2019
Catholic Celebrations
What a wonderful time for our school to be celebrating being Catholic. Tuesday 28th May was Catholic Schools Day. The theme was "Extending Christ's Call: to love, to be to do". What a beautiful theme for us!
We had the pleasure of hosting Te Kura o Hato Hohepa te Kamura our neighbouring Catholic School from Waitaruke. The day consisted of a powhiri welcome, karakia, waiata, Mass, art, weaving, games and learning about Catholic Schools Day, finishing with shared kai. Such a great day of celebrations. We gifted Waitaruke with a kawakawa plant and will continue to keep in touch.
What a wonderful time for our school to be celebrating being Catholic. Tuesday 28th May was Catholic Schools Day. The theme was "Extending Christ's Call: to love, to be to do". What a beautiful theme for us!
We had the pleasure of hosting Te Kura o Hato Hohepa te Kamura our neighbouring Catholic School from Waitaruke. The day consisted of a powhiri welcome, karakia, waiata, Mass, art, weaving, games and learning about Catholic Schools Day, finishing with shared kai. Such a great day of celebrations. We gifted Waitaruke with a kawakawa plant and will continue to keep in touch.
Wednesday, April 3, 2019
Term 1, 2019
This term we have had a real focus on Learn, Create, Share throughout the school. Our partnership with Manaiakalani is in the second year and we are joined by 10 other schools in our cluster.
Staff have been taking part in professional development to improve their digital technology skills. I am impressed that they are all "learners" modelling and sharing the new learning with each other. It is also great to be able to walk alongside our students in this journey.
The focus for our teaching and learning is on:
- critical thinking
- task design
- flexible grouping
This means that we are deliberately planning to enable students to think at a deep level. Tasks are being designed to allow for them to link and transfer their thinking to global issues and learning. We continue with our mixed ability grouping and deliberately plan to target learning that is required.
As a school we are also working on the "soft skills" - collaboration, creativity,
communication and critical thinking.
The senior syndicate recently shared this at our hui - check it out
Senior Syndicate Hui
We had some great fun while whanau took part in the mahi tahi sessions!
Looking forward to continued great learning in term 2!
Staff have been taking part in professional development to improve their digital technology skills. I am impressed that they are all "learners" modelling and sharing the new learning with each other. It is also great to be able to walk alongside our students in this journey.
The focus for our teaching and learning is on:
- critical thinking
- task design
- flexible grouping
This means that we are deliberately planning to enable students to think at a deep level. Tasks are being designed to allow for them to link and transfer their thinking to global issues and learning. We continue with our mixed ability grouping and deliberately plan to target learning that is required.
As a school we are also working on the "soft skills" - collaboration, creativity,
communication and critical thinking.
The senior syndicate recently shared this at our hui - check it out
Senior Syndicate Hui
We had some great fun while whanau took part in the mahi tahi sessions!
Looking forward to continued great learning in term 2!
Friday, December 21, 2018
Summary of 2018
It has been some time since I have updated my blog, however, do not fear I am continuing this journey on multiple platforms! I apologise for not getting to this one earlier.
Feel free to check out our school Facebook page, classroom blogs and student blogs too!
2018 has seen some wonderful achievements at PCS. Highlights have included:
- 1:1 devices available throughout the school
- implementation of integration through the curriculum where students are writing in Science and making links in their maths to art, and performing with literacy. It is an exciting platform that our students and teachers are loving!
- our end of year extravaganza was another highlight where our students choreograph their items with facilitation from the teachers. Check out our photos on Facebook too.
- our beautification projects with our rainbow seating and we are currently planning our potted colour seating to welcome everyone back in 2019.
- our Maori learners have accelerated across the school to gain some exceptional results!
- we continue with our programmes of art, kapa haka, resilience and leadership
- our student voice shows that our kids love art and science. They are proud of their leadership and learning.
- a huge range of sporting achievements both in and outside of our school
- staff have gained exceptional marks within their professional development with an average of A+ being achieved!
A huge thank you to our team that keep our school striving towards our vision
"Mahi tahi i te Karaiti - to inspire and nurture leaders of learning and excellence"
Have a wonderful and safe Christmas full of blessings!
Kathryn Carey
Feel free to check out our school Facebook page, classroom blogs and student blogs too!
2018 has seen some wonderful achievements at PCS. Highlights have included:
- 1:1 devices available throughout the school
- implementation of integration through the curriculum where students are writing in Science and making links in their maths to art, and performing with literacy. It is an exciting platform that our students and teachers are loving!
- our end of year extravaganza was another highlight where our students choreograph their items with facilitation from the teachers. Check out our photos on Facebook too.
- our beautification projects with our rainbow seating and we are currently planning our potted colour seating to welcome everyone back in 2019.
- our Maori learners have accelerated across the school to gain some exceptional results!
- we continue with our programmes of art, kapa haka, resilience and leadership
- our student voice shows that our kids love art and science. They are proud of their leadership and learning.
- a huge range of sporting achievements both in and outside of our school
- staff have gained exceptional marks within their professional development with an average of A+ being achieved!
A huge thank you to our team that keep our school striving towards our vision
"Mahi tahi i te Karaiti - to inspire and nurture leaders of learning and excellence"
Have a wonderful and safe Christmas full of blessings!
Kathryn Carey
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