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Weekly Newsletter

Whānau Manaaki Kindergartens Formerly Wellington and Rimutaka Kindergarten Assn

95 11 August 2016

Issue

Kōrero

I n t h i s i s su e :

N ZEI Un i o n Me e t in g s

EC E Co n fe re n ce i n Sa mo a

RE AP Co u rse s , Wa i ra ra p a

EPo r t fo l i o s

Sto ryp a rk FAQs

Wa d e s to wn Kg tn Re se a rch

Qu a l i t y

Hello - Kia Ora - Talofa lava - Kia Orana - Fakaalofa lahi atu - Malo e lelei - Malo ni - Talofa - Ni Sa Bula Vinaka - Ming la ba - Hola - la Orana - Halo ola keta -

Mauri - Sabaidee - Namaste

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND MEETING DATES

MAORI WORD OF THE WEEK

Te Kupu o te Wiki:

Karawhiua!: Give it heaps! Give it all you got!

Thursday, 11 Here-turi-kōkā 3.00 pm HT Meeting—Kapiti and Horowhenua

Betty Montford kindergarten

Thursday, 11 Here-turi-kōkā 4.00 - 5.30 pm

Kapa Haka 3 WMK Offices

Thursday, 18 Here-turi-kōkā 7.00 - 9.00 pm

Men’s Symposium VUW Law Faculty Building (Room GBLT4) Lambton Quay

Thursday, 18 Here-turi-kōkā 3.15-4.45 pm

Kapa Haka 1 Totara Park Kindergarten

Thursday, 18 Here-turi-kōkā 3.30 pm Samoan ECE Conference Mtg

WMK Offices

Thursday, 1 Mahuru 9.30 - 3.00 pm

New Head Teacher Meeting

WMK Offices

ECE CONFERENCE IN SAMOA NZEI PAID UNION MEETINGS

All Samoan staff (teachers and support staff) are invited to a meeting at the Association offices on Thursday, 18 August 2016 at 3.30 pm to discuss the pending ECE Conference in Samoa in July 2017. Please save any questions/queries for the meeting where we will have time to talk more about the Conference. Please rsvp to caroline.mareko@wmkindergartens.org.nz if you are able to come to this meeting.

BOARD NOMINATIONS

Just a reminder that we are calling for nominations for inter-ested whanau to join our Board. If you have anyone you think would be interested and would like to find out a bit more info please email either:

Jane.braun@wmkindergartens.org.nz

chairperson@wmkindergartens.org.nz

We have been made aware of the combined NZEI/PPTA Paid Union Meetings that have been scheduled for September. We are in the process of working through the details of how members can attend. The Employment Relations Act says that union members need to be able to attend Paid Union Meetings when they are arranged (up to two a year) while at the same time ensuring “the business is maintained”. Because the meetings are scheduled for 1.30pm, we need to be planful in our approach. We will let you know details of the arrangements in next week's Korero.

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REAP COURSES FOR WAIRARAPA KINDERGARTENS

DO YOU WANT TO TAKE PART IN SOME EXCITING RESEARCH?

Please see below the following courses being offered through REAP this term:

Monday, 15 August 6.30 - 8.30 Leadership Meeting Reap House

Monday, 22 August 6.30 - 8.30 WECN PD - Safe Lifting in ECE LTM Education Centre, 22 Dixon St, Masterton

Tuesday, 23 August 4.30 - 6.00 Transition Group - South Wairarapa Martinborough School

Tuesday, 1 September 4.30 - 6.00 Transition Group - Carterton St Mary’s School

Monday, 12 September 6.30 - 8.00 Leadership Rangitumau Rm, REAP House

Monday, 12 September 6.30 - 8.00 Bicultural Assessment REAP House

We want you to take part in some exciting research!

Last Wednesday a small group of teachers, along with senior teachers Lyn and Lynette, started discussions around :

“What is considered quality content in a learning story?”

“Are we delivering what we want to achieve in our stories?” We are keen for kindergartens to take part in this research by forwarding one or many learning stories for our research group to read and unpack in our next meeting. Feel free to add a small explanation of why you choose to send that particular story. All Kindergarten teams that forward on a story/stories will be gifted a copy of our research findings together with exemplars of stories that will support our findings. We welcome all teachers to come along to the next meeting if they would like to take part in the next step also, date and time to be advised.

INTERESTED IN E-PORTFOLIOS? IMPLEMENT ATION OF STORYPARK

As you may be aware, we have been considering options for E-Portfolios (web-based portfolios). We have chosen Storypark as the exclusive WMK provider. Teams can opt into using Storypark – we won’t be making you. We have negotiated terms that mean it is free to kindergartens until 1 July 2017, and then a cost will be incurred – see FAQs at the end of this edition of the Korero, and we will include information about Storypark in each edition of the Korero over the coming weeks. We are looking to have the first “wave” of kindergartens set up within the next few weeks and then subsequent intakes will be planned on about a four weekly basis. We anticipate that some of you will be eager to take up the offer as soon as possible, while others may want to take some time to consider it and others may have no interest at all. That’s fine. Read through the FAQ’s at the end of this Korero to decide if Storypark is right for your kindergarten. So from here:

As a team, decide if collaborating online with whānau about children’s learning is something that you are really keen to be involved in.

If you are interested in being part of the first group of kindergartens, email Jane Braun (jane.braun@wmkindergartens.org.nz ) and let her know by 18th August. (As was mentioned above, there will be further opportunities for others to jump on board later.)

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QUALITY

CHILDREN’S RIGHTS

CHILDREN’S THEORISING ABOUT FAIRNESS AND DIFFERENCE

The moral and ethical dilemnas that children can face in their play are an important source of learning for them, as they consider fairness and difference. Janette Kelly Ware’s presentation on fairness and diversity examines some situations which will be familiar to teachers, when children discuss what’s fair, who can play with them, how they can play, who can be excluded, and why. Janette uses a story by Michael Rosen and Bob Graham to illustrate some of her points about how children play. (A video of this story is included in the presentation details on the website)

She explains how children learn about difference and diversity, and the surprising explanations they can come up with as a result of developing learning theories to make sense of difference. She recommends discussing some of these experiences, and the learning that can result from them, with parents. Janette Kelly Ware’s presentation is on the staff section of the website and is available here: http://assets2.wmkindergartens.org.nz/assets/Social-Justice

-pedagogy-Supporting-children%E2%80%99s-theorising-

about-fairness-and-difference---Janette-Kelly-

Ware_12281_1.pdf

Sarah Te One’s presentation at conference argues for the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child to be upheld in New Zealand. A UN committee reports on New Zealand’s progress in this area but its findings are routinely ignored, says Sarah. Sarah chairs ACYA, Action for Children and Youth Aoteroa, an umbrella group that considers how children’s rights are respected in New Zealand, and reports internationally. ACYA’s latest report reveals many areas where children’s rights are undermined, and suggests a change of approach is needed so that children’s rights are considered in every policy, practice, or spending initiative.

Sarah spoke about the importance of equality in society so that children can have an adequate quality of life. She says children’s rights are about dignity, equality and respect. Here’s a link to Sarah’s conference presentation on the Whanau manaaki website http://assets2.wmkindergartens.org.nz/assets/Children%E2%80%99s-rights-and-social-justice-It%E2%80%99s-our-responsibility---Sarah-Te-One_12276_1.pdf And here’s a link to the latest alternative report to the UN: http://www.acya.org.nz/

uploads/2/9/4/8/29482613/2015_acya_alternative_report_

for_dissemination.pdf

We were very lucky to have the opportunity to be invited to experience the new Dialled Tramp Park at 23 Centennial Highway, Ngauranga for a Kindergarten Trip . If anyone is interested in a booking please phone 04 472 1018 ask for Hugh or Tere . We can highly recommend it (see Learning Story at the end of this newsletter).

FROM SEATOUN KINDERGARTEN

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CONFERENCE STALL

ANYONE INTERESTED - POLISH KINDERGARTEN?

FAREWELL TO:

Hello,

My name is Katarzyna Byczkowska and I am a teacher at Kindergarten No 10 in Rybnik, Poland. I would like to invite your kindergarten to co-operate with us as part of the project which let us learn and get to know:

all about yours and ours culture and traditions, ways of spending leisure time in the kindergarten, what do the children learn about in different countries, how does the typical kindergarten day look like, what is the traditional/regional costume.

The cooperation shall consist of reading out loud the letter to children and to introduce puppets named Polek and Pola. The puppets are to be made based on the model sent in as an email attachment together with traditional costume from our part of Poland (the Upper Silesia), both items to be shown during reading out the letter to children. Having done that, children from your kindergarten, should write similar letter or email to the children in Poland, we would like to hear about your typical day in your kindergarten. You could also prepare your traditional costume for Polek and Pola, take a photograph and send us together with the instructions how to make it so the children here can make it too. If the children from our kindergartens will like the idea of possibility to get to know the children from different countries through Polek and Pola, we may continue our project by sending more letters in which the children can write about their favourite meal and how to cook it or how they celebrate Christmas and Easter or what do they do during summer holidays etc. Please, be so kind and write me an email if your kindergarten would be interested in the coopera-tion with ours. If so, send me a letter describing a typical day in your kindergarten together with the traditional/regional costume, by the mid of September 2016 so we can start working together on the project from the beginning of October 2016. I thank you in advance for your response and I am looking forward to hearing from you very soon. Kind regards, Katarzyna Byczkowska and the children from Kindergarten No 10 in Rybnik. http://p10.miastorybnik.pl/

Here is the contact for the stallholder who was selling doll clothing at our Conference.

Baby Doll Clothing Joan Wyness Email; joanwyness@yahoo.com Anytime phone number (04) 2399036

INTRODUCING LUPENI AITOGI

We’d like to introduce you to Lupeni (Peni) Aitogi who has replaced Nane Lilo as Senior Teacher admin support in the office. Peni is also overseeing the admin work for Rob Dunn and Lorraine Coulston while they are away (they’re back in the office on Wednesday 24th August), so don’t be suprised if you ring Lorraine’s phone and get a deep, quietly spoken man’s voice – it’ll be Peni! Peni has been with the Association for the past few years as part of the Amataga Transport Team. Nane remains part of the Association, but has moved over to work in the Whānau Ora team. We’ll provide a full update on changes in the office in the next couple of weeks.

Sue Tattersall, HT Island Bay who finished up with us after approx 20 years teaching with us. A farewell for Sue was held last week at the Kindergarten. We wish her all the very best for the future.

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Why was Storypark chosen? We explored other e-portfolio providers and found that there were compelling reasons to choose any of them. However, at the end of the day, we needed to make a decision and we elected to pursue Storypark. Key elements of Storypark include:

ease of use for teachers and whānau,

a private ongoing conversation about their child’s learning with parents and whānau

video, audio and text can be quickly uploaded using a camera, smartphone, tablet, or computer

parents and whānau can engage instantly with their child’s learning (or at a time that suits them)

parents own and manage their child’s EPortfolio even after the child leaves kindergarten,

its secure (same level of security as your online banking), Storypark developers are responsive in adapting the programme to improve the way that it supports children,

whānau and teachers. What are the benefits of Storypark? Storypark helps teachers:

improve understanding of each child’s interests and learning through communicating with whānau so they re-ceive even better support

deepen relationships and strengthen communication create a portfolio of children’s learning via videos, photos, audio and text reinforce experiences, deepen insights and assist planning support collaboration and communication with teaching teams record and report against Te Whāriki, Practising Teacher Criteria, and Tātaiako competencies involve children in their portfolio Include specialists working with children (parents choose who else can be involved) interact quickly and effectively through iPhone, Android and tablets create smooth transitions when children move from ECE to primary school

What is the cost of Storypark? The agreement we have with Storypark means that there will be no cost to WMK until the end of June 2017. Kindergartens will need to commit to paying the ongoing cost out of their funds from 1 July 2017 (this is about $10/child per year). Can we charge parents after 1 July 2017? No – the cost of Storypark cannot be passed on directly to whānau, but can be budgeted for either from your oper-ating grant or from fundraising. Can we opt into another ePortfolio programme? No. WMK has entered into an agreement with Storypark on behalf of all our kindergartens. There are some teams that are currently using other programmes. We will be working with them over the coming weeks to sort through a way forward. Do we have to opt in by a certain time? No, there will be a number of “waves” or intakes over the next few months. The following are dates when expres-sions of interest are due by (i.e. If you don’t have your EOI in by 18th August, you can then go for the September option, or if you’re still not sure, there’s the October option. Once we see how things are going, we can inform you of further options):

18 August 2016. 15 September 2016 21 October 2016

Storypark FAQ’s (Frequently Asked Questions)

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Do all Kindergartens have to use Storypark? No, this is optional, but we encourage all teams to consider taking up the opportunity

Who can we talk to if we have any questions?

Jane (Jane.braun@wmkindergartens.org.nz) or Lynette lynette.wray@wmkindergartens.org.nz) What training will be provided – how do we learn about using Storypark? Storypark are providing a series of webinars specifically for WMK teachers and will provide extensive online in-structions and an email support service. Is there a teacher portfolio that we can use for appraisal and collecting evidence for renewal of practising certifi-cates? Yes, there are a number of ways of linking your work to the PTC, and you can upload PDF’s (readings) and photos directly into your online teaching portfolio. What else can Storypark do besides share children’s learning with whānau? Lots! Including engaging whānau in self review, involving teachers and whānau in conversations around teaching and learning, tracking who has stories….. What about workload implications? eg replying to parents comments out of hours? We expect that Storypark will improve efficiency as it supports using the same documentation for a range of differ-ent purposes. Although a timely response to parents’ comments encourages ongoing communication, and being online means flexibility about when whānau and teachers engage in Storypark, there is no expectation from WMK for teachers to respond after work hours.

We’ve heard that the printed versions don’t look as good as our current learning stories, is this true? Storypark has made some recent changes to the print options which has improved the printed version of stories, also you can continue to write stories in publisher and upload them as a PDF to Storypark if that suits you. One of the benefits of Storypark is that you can also upload video and audio as part of Learning Stories. What technology do we need at our kindergarten? Storypark can be accessed on laptops/desktops, IPads, IPods, plus other smartphones and tablets. You need an in-ternet connection. Our community has limited access to the internet or digital technology – should we still opt in? Yes, we have some kindergartens who have found innovative ways of providing access for their whānau with lim-ited access. Is there a disadvantage in not opting in now? This is for teams to think about – but if you opt in now, you’ll get more time free. Where can we go for more information to inform our team’s decision? Find out more about Storypark by exploring the following links https://www.storypark.com/for_teachers https://www.storypark.com/for_families https://storypark.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/203295777-Getting-started-resources - look here for a link to a research article. https://www.storypark.com/cybersafety

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We had a great sing and we taught ae kato with Avaikinui playgroup In celebrating Cook Island language week!

Celebrating Cook Islands Language Week - at Walter Nash Stadium, Lower Hutt

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FIRST PORIRUA YOUTH 2 WORK JOBFEST, PATAKA ART AND MUSEUM, 4 AUGUST

Kia ora koutou The first Porirua Youth 2 Work Jobfest was recently held at Pataka Art and Museum in Porirua. What a great day! It was positively pumping. This was an opportunity to promote careers in Kindergarten to secondary school students. Mauri ora Nā Lou

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