Leadership Team Comment
Mike Gillatt, Catriona Mathieson & Tracey Kelly
Kia ora koutou katoa
The first day of spring is almost here, and with it comes a sense of better weather, warmer days and of course the promise (hopefully) of a cracker of a summer. As the days get a little longer and the weather starts to improve, it’s a good time to think about how we can support our tamariki to keep growing in their learning.
The first day of spring is almost here, and with it comes a sense of better weather, warmer days and of course the promise (hopefully) of a cracker of a summer. As the days get a little longer and the weather starts to improve, it’s a good time to think about how we can support our tamariki to keep growing in their learning.
One of the most powerful ways parents can support learning is through meaningful conversations at home. Often the question “How was your day?” gets a one-word answer. In our experiences as parents we definitely did! Instead, try asking questions that invite your child to reflect, share, and think more deeply about their learning.
Here are three great conversation starters you might try this week:
- What is something new you learned this week that surprised or excited you, and why?
- Can you show me or explain how you solved a problem or challenge in class this week?
- What’s one thing you’d like to get even better at, and how could we help you work toward that goal?
These questions encourage children to notice their own progress, talk about strategies they are developing, and think about their goals. They also give you, as parents and whānau, a window into what’s happening in their learning and how you can celebrate their successes or support them through challenges.
“Mā te kimi ka kite, mā te kite ka mōhio, mā te mōhio ka mārama.”
“By seeking we find, by finding we understand, by understanding we grow.”
This whakataukī reflects what we aspire to at our school: respect for each other’s ideas and efforts, excellence in striving to do our best and understand more deeply, and resilience in continuing to learn even when things are challenging. When home and school work together to nurture these values, we create the strongest foundation for every child’s success.
We’d love to hear how these conversations go at home — if your child shares something that really makes you smile or think, please let us know. Your stories help strengthen the partnership between school and whānau and celebrate the great learning happening every day.
Have a happy and safe weekend.
Ngā mihi
Mike, Catriona and Tracey
Ngā mihi
Mike, Catriona and Tracey
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