Curriculum Newsletter 1



School Crest


The New Zealand Curriculum
at Onewhero Area School

The purpose of this newsletter is to keep the parents, caregivers, whanau and community informed as to where we are headed and what we have been doing towards the implementation of the revised New Zealand curriculum. At the end of this newsletter there is also a survey which will give you an opportunity to have input into the development of the Onewhero Area School curriculum.

What is the New Zealand Curriculum?

The New Zealand Curriculum is a statement about what is considered to be important in education. The New Zealand Curriculum takes as its starting point a vision of our young people as life long learners who are confident and creative, connected, and actively involved. It includes a set of principles on which to base curriculum decision making and it sets out values that are to be encouraged, modelled and explored. The New Zealand Curriculum also defines five key competencies that are critical to sustained learning and effective participation in society and that underline the emphasis of lifelong learning.

Why is what we are doing relevant to you?

The revised New Zealand Curriculum requires us to have an Onewhero Area School curriculum that is designed for the school’s community of learners. This not only includes the Principal and staff at Onewhero Area School but involves listening to and taking into account the ideas and concerns of students, families, whanau and the wider community as well.

Values in the revised curriculum

During term one the staff was asked to investigate the School Crest and Motto and to analyse these as what to what they believed they symbolised and meant to the school. All the staff responses were then able to be linked back to the Values of the New Zealand Curriculum which are:

• Diversity – as found in our different cultures and heritages
• Integrity – being honest, responsible and accountable and acting ethically
• Excellence – aiming high and persevering in the face of difficulties
• Equity – through fairness and social justice
• Community and Participation – for the common good
• Innovation, Inquiry, Curiosity – by thinking critically, creatively and reflectively
• Ecological Sustainability – care of the environment
• Respect – for themselves, others and human rights

What do the staff at Onewhero Area School want leavers to be like?

Our second Curriculum Staff Meeting saw the staff looking at “What do they want Onewhero Area School Leavers to be like?” Some of the staff responses to this question were:

• Be prepared to work hard everyday
• Have good literacy and numeracy skills
• Be socially literate/have good communication skills/relate well to others
• Be flexible
• Be honest
• Be a life long learner

Key Competencies in the revised curriculum

The New Zealand Curriculum identifies five key competencies to which the above responses can all be matched:

• Thinking
• Using language, Symbols and texts
• Managing self
• Relating to Others
• Participating and Contributing

These competencies are what people use to live, learn, work, and contribute as active members of their communities. They are the key to learning in every learning area.

What we are looking for now is parent and whanau responses to some key questions that will enable us to develop our school curriculum. Attached is the first of a series of short surveys that we would like you to complete and send back to the school office by Friday 5 June 2009. The responses will be collated and used to help us to formulate the vision for Onewhero Area School in the future.

Mrs J Carter
Chairperson
Curriculum Steering Group




Community Survey 1 ~ The New Zealand Curriculum at Onewhero Area School

Question 1: If you as a parent were to write a list of important school values what might you write?





Question 2: Of the values that you have identified in Question 1, which TWO or THREE would you like Onewhero Area School to be known for?





Question 3: Which of the New Zealand Curriculum values are already strong in our school?

- Tick as many as you feel apply to Onewhero Area School

Diversity
Integrity
Excellence
Equity
Community and Participation
Innovation, Inquiry, Curiosity
Ecological Sustainability
Respect


Question 4: How might we give the other values a greater emphasis?





Question 5:What would you as a parent want an Onewhero Area School leaver to be like?
- e.g to be able to relate well to others in a workplace





Curriculum Subjects

We would also like your feedback on the subjects that you would like to see taught at Onewhero Area School. Subjects that are currently taught at some or all levels from Years 7 to 13 are: English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Visual Art, Technology, Music, Computer Studies, Physical Education, Geography, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Food and Nutrition. This year we are also offering History and Te Reo Maori by correspondence and the opportunity exists for other correspondence courses as the need arises.

Are there any other areas for learning that would you like to see taught as part of our timetabled courses for Years 7 to 13 students?





We appreciate your support in completing the survey. It is an important part of the development of our curriculum. The responses will be collated and feedback given to all parents, caregivers, whanau and the community. Please send back to the school office by Friday 5 June 2009.