August 2014 v2

Page 1

August 2014

Dear Parents/Caregivers It is good to be back! I have just spent Term Two on a Ministry of Education funded sabbatical, visiting school Principals in Eastern educational systems (Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan) and Western systems, (New Zealand, England and America). The purpose of my visits was to explore with the leaders of successful schools their perspectives on, and preparedness for, 21st century learning. 21st century learning requires knowledge generation, not just information delivery, and I was investigating how the schools I visited create a “culture of inquiry”. In the past a learner was a young person who went to school, spent a specified amount of time in certain courses, received passing grades and graduated. Today we see learners in a new context, for example maintaining student interest by helping them see how what they are learning prepares them for life in the real world. We work to instil curiosity, which is fundamental to lifelong learning, to be flexible in how we teach and we work to excite learners to become ever more resourceful so that they will continue to learn outside the formal school day.

key findings of my research, how it relates to all of the above and the implications for future change at Tauranga Girls’ College. I will also be publishing that material via the school website after the PTA meeting. I have returned to a school that has had an incredibly busy and successful Term Two, with both those things continuing into Term Three. Even this past weekend has seen huge participation in netball and music as well as huge success in the Global Connexions inter-college fashion and art show, including the Supreme Award going to Brooke Christiansen. As I said, it is good to be back and to reconnect with this positive place of empowerment for tomorrow’s women.

I will be sharing with the PTA at their next meeting on Wednesday 20 August at 7.30pm the

Sponsorship The School is leasing a Mini-Bus for the next three years and there are 2 spots available for sponsorship. For your contribution you will receive your Company Logo/Signage prominently displayed on the Mini-Van and also your logo with acknowledgement in every newsletter. For further information please contact the Executive Officer John Laugesen on 5788114 Ext 704.


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