In today’s newsletter we have the following:
● Curriculum Spot
● End of Term Exams
● Steam learning programme
● IB PYP Self Study
● Matai Team camp reflection
● Rimu Team camp reflection
● Totara EOTC Segment
● Kauri EOTC Segment
● Sports Programme
● Netball Season
● Community of Learning
● ANI Trips
● MPS ad 10TS Projects
● PTA News
● Accord Teacher Only Days (NZEI)
● Enrolment 2023
● Term 2 Covid information
Curriculum Spot
The New Zealand Curriculum Refresh and Aotearoa New Zealand’s Histories
Curriculum refresh
You will be aware that in September 2019 the Minister of Education, the Hon Chris Hipkins, announced a need for the national curriculum to be refreshed so it remained fit for purpose. At that time a five-year plan was developed to ensure the curriculum was clear, more relevant and easier to use. The impact of COVID-19 has slowed down this refresh as schools and educators needed to turn their efforts to managing different workloads with online learning and other priorities. This meant more time was required to review, write and engage in the refresh and as a consequence, the timeline has changed.
What does the adjusted timeframe look like for these changes ?
Term 1, 2022 release of :
- Aotearoa New Zealand Histories Curriculum
- Social Sciences learning area draft content
Throughout 2022 we will see:
- Refresh of the English and the Mathematics & Statistics learning areas
- Support of the upcoming mathematics and literacy strategies
- Changes to other parts of the NZC ensuring it is a ‘bicultural and inclusive’ curriculum
- A Vision for Young People written by young people developed and tested
Throughout 2023 we will see:
- Implementation of the NZ Histories Curriculum (originally 2022)
- An update of the Science learning area (originally 2022)
- A refresh of the Arts and Technology learning areas.
Throughout 2024 we will see:
- A refresh of the Learning Languages and Health & Physical Education learning areas (originally 2023)
- The first release of the Record of Learning (aligned to the new curriculum).
As a school we are looking forward to engaging with each of these learning areas and making positive change for our ākonga. We want the new curriculum to provide experiences for every young person in our school to achieve and be successful in their learning. Their progress will be celebrated and they will see themselves as successful in learning. We are combining the refresh with a back to basics approach in Reading, Writing and Maths. Regular testing and exams at the end of each term in each of these areas will assist us in ensuring students are making adequate progress throughout the year.
More information about the refresh can be found on Curriculum and assessment changes – Education in New Zealand.
Aotearoa New Zealand’s Histories Curriculum
What will our young people be learning about in the Aotearoa NZ histories curriculum?
The content uses the ‘Understand, Know & Do’ elements and the progressions model. Teachers design learning experiences that weave these elements together so student learning is deep and meaningful. There are four phases within Years 1 to 10 and for our school, Years 7 and 8, we will focus on two aspects each term. Linked here are the elements ‘Understand, Know & Do’ for Years 7 and 8.
When will it be released?
Aotearoa New Zealand Histories was officially released in Term 1, 2022 however schools and kura do not need to implement the new content until 2023.
Throughout this year schools and Kura will be supported to access resources needed to teach the new content so we are ready to teach the content at the start of next year. This new timing means we will also be able to use the new Aotearoa New Zealand Histories Curriculum alongside the new Social Sciences learning area as they are closely aligned.
Here is an overview of the NZ Histories curriculum content :
https://aotearoahistories.education.govt.nz/content-overview
End of Term Exams
STEAM at ANI
STEAM at ANI
In term 2 the specialist teachers will begin teaching our talented students STEAM project-based inquiry learning approaches at ANI.
What is STEAM?
STEAM is an educational approach to learning that uses Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics as access points for guiding student inquiry, dialogue, and critical thinking.
How will the STEAM programme be introduced at ANI?
At ANI our specialist curriculum is developed by combining the New Zealand Curriculum (NZC), IB learning framework, and core skills for each specialist area. STEAM will be a natural progression for our students who will combine learning experiences from all specialist learning contexts/areas and build from their own classroom experiences. The learning will be student-centred and project-based.
In these STEAM projects, during the lessons, the students also have the opportunity to learn and develop further skills such as Digital Technologies (eg. coding), planning, project management, engineering and design, assessment skills and the use of mathematical knowledge in a practical context.
What is the timetable for STEAM?
Throughout the year, students will spend one and a half hours per fortnight in their STEAM lesson.
What are the benefits of a STEAM learning approach:
Students who participate in STEAM learning:
- think outside the box
- feel safe to express innovative and creative ideas
- feel comfortable doing hands-on, project based learning
- become more future focused with the skill set and knowledge they learn
- take ownership over their learning
- work collaboratively with others
- understand the ways that science, maths, the arts, and technology work together
- become increasingly curious about the world around them and feel empowered to change it for the better.
We are very excited to be teaching STEAM next term in our specialist programmes.
If you have any questions, please email Mr Carlos ckucera@ani.school.nz (Specialist Team Leader)
IB PYP Self Study: We Want YOU!!!
Would you like to contribute your thoughts to an international self study on how you feel the school engages students to learn through the framework of the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme, (PYP). We are asking our community to comment on different areas of the learning programme to identify where the school excels, where it has shown growth and where we may need to modify or improve our teaching approaches/systems.
We genuinely feel your responses will add a great deal of value to the study so if you could support the school by taking a 15 minute survey then please use this link. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/10i3YGPK8kvSlI_3e_gNjAF0GLnzq47fMjQYApZGuDw0/edit
All reflections need to be completed by Wednesday 6 April at 3pm.
The information collected will be synthesised and sent onto the head IB office, in Singapore, alongside reflections from our staff, board members and more importantly our students.
The information gathered from parents is one part of the IB evaluation process to maintain our IB PYP Global School status.
I look forward to hearing what you have to say.
Shane Devery
IB Coordinator
Matai Team camp reflection
On Tuesday 15th March the Matai team set off for 4 glorious days down at Tui Ridge Camp, Rotorua. We couldn’t have asked for better weather, nothing but blue skies and sunshine (sorry Rimu team!).
Matai students and parents definitely hit the ground running, arriving and jumping straight into our first round of activities. It’s no surprise that the giant swing and the flying fox remained firm favorites but there were definitely so many more honorable mentions.
Abseiling presented us with a worthy challenge, air rifles encouraged patience and determination, mountain biking tested our endurance and bubble soccer provided some much needed fun, laughter, a bit of pay back and finally a chance to comfortably relax on top of a bubble after a hard round of competition.
Our evening activities delivered a good deal of entertainment. The Matai talent show was a hit, we had incredible dancers, actors and some amazing singing performances. We even had a memorable performance by our camp parents. The Burma trail produced some pretty impressive screams yet strangely most Matai students insisted that they had not been scared.
We were fed well which helped keep energy high and we even managed to get a few nights of sleep – although maybe not as much sleep as the teachers had hoped. Matai team had an absolutely amazing time away, filled with risk taking, collaboration and stepping out of comfort zones.
We feel so fortunate that we were able to successfully get to camp, have a great time and leave having made new friendships and lasting memories. A huge thanks to all the students, parents and staff for helping to make this year’s camp such an amazing place to be. Go Matai Team!
Ashley Triana
Team Leader
Rimu Team camp reflection
From Tuesday 22nd to Friday 25th March, Rimu Team braved the elements and had an incredible adventure at Tui Ridge Camp, Rotorua. The week had everything from rain and wind to sun and clear skies.
Students (and parents!) overcame fears and found courage through each other to become more confident risk-takers by tackling heights, physical challenges and teamwork tasks.
As always, the giant swing, flying fox, indoor rock climbing and abseiling remained unforgettable activities with air rifles and bubble soccer adding a bit of friendly competition to the mix!
There were so many laughs shared during evening activities like the legendary Rimu Camp Talent Show and the excited screams during our night time Burma Trial can still be heard echoing through the bush!
ANI really has a special community of staff, parents and students and this week was an excellent example of everyone coming together to support each other and build team culture. Go Rimu Team and thanks to parents for your support and help with camp.
Nick Edwards
Team Leader
Totara EOTC Newsletter Segment
Totara had a wonderful week of EOTC from the 25th – 28th March, battling the windy weather, torrential rain and last-minute schedule changes. Resilience and optimism were at an all-time high.
Judges Bay provided a wonderful chance to get out on the water and kayak as well as build some rafts in a very survival island style activity. Fears were conquered and new interests gained during our day rock climbing, orienteering and firing arrows! Top team provided wonderful games to test teamwork and support with the instructors enjoying our competitive spirit at ANI, inspired by the house system!
The Totara team were smashing records right left and centre and there were over 15000 house points handed out across the week! The definite highlight of the week came out in Woodhill forest where the students proved once again how fearless they are as they traversed the tree top obstacles.
Even Mr G recorded a personal best level, even if it was done extremely slowly and much to the comic delight of the other adults and students supporting him from the ground!
A huge thank you to all the parents who supported the activities throughout the week, the trips could not have happened without your support and enthusiasm and I am sure this week will live long in the memory of our Totara students!
Kieran Gleeson
Team Leader
Kauri EOTC Newsletter Segment
Kauri had an incredible time at the various EOTC activities from 15th – 19th March where we all enjoyed the opportunity to connect with one another. There were an abundance of moments throughout the week that allowed all members of the Kauri team to showcase their brilliance, determination, resilience and enthusiasm.
Some highlights of the week included raft building which was followed closely by raft deconstruction once they hit the water; nevertheless, only laughter could be heard.
Kayaking, rock climbing and archery also featured highly on the list of our students who took full advantage of these wonderful activities – it seems some of our students were born for adventure!
Irrespective of all the fun had at these events, one stood out amongst the rest: tree adventures. The adrenaline, the height, the overcoming of uncertainty and fear left all our students (and some teachers/parent helpers) feeling satisfied, accomplished and incredibly proud of themselves.
It is weeks like this that are cemented in the minds of our students and contribute towards the building of a fun and meaningful class culture. EOTC 2022 will be remembered fondly (and used to death in our upcoming writing lessons – be on the lookout for some work).
Andrew Lawrence
Team Leader
Sports Programme from Term 2
Kia ora ANI.
Some great news for ANI- sports can now go ahead on our school grounds in addition to participating in some local competitions.
Check out the information below to find out is what is happening at ANI regarding sports during Term 2:
CZ Futsal – Boys – 10th May – Tuesday – CANCELLED
CZ Futsal – Girls – 12th May – Thursday – CANCELLED
CZ Waterpolo – Girls and Boys – 16th May – Monday – CANCELLED
CZ Football – Year 7 Girls – 25th May – Wednesday – CONFIRMED
CZ Football – Year 8 Girls – 26th May – Thursday – CONFIRMED
CZ Football – Year 7 Boys – 31st May – Tuesday – CONFIRMED
CZ Football – Year 8 Boys – 2nd June – Thursday – CONFIRMED
CZ Rugby – U45, U55, Open – Girls and Boys – 8th June – Wednesday – CONFIRMED
CZ Hockey – Boys – 20th June – Monday – CONFIRMED
CZ Hockey – Girls – 21st June – Tuesday – CONFIRMED
CZ Table tennis- Girls and Boys – 30th June – Thursday – TBC
Zones Competitions:
All Central and Inter Zones competitions are to be confirmed by the organisation due to the Covid-19 Restrictions. However, ANI is moving forward with trials and initial organisation of sports listed above.
After school sports :
These events are confirmed for term 2:
- Netball – Teacher in Charge – Kueni Schaumkel (see below for more information) – kschaumkel@ani.school.nz
- Basketball (Miniball) – Teacher in charge – Jacob Markham – jmarkham@ani.school.nz
- Waterpolo – Teacher in charge – Thomas Jones – tjones@ani.school.nz
The signup and trials for these sports has commenced.
The days and the times of the games can be confirmed with the teacher in charge of each sport. Please contact them if you have any questions.
Running Squads:
The ANI running squad will commence at the end of this term. They will start Wednesday the 6th of April. Days and times of the running squad are:
- Wednesdays and Fridays – Meeting in the library at 7:15 am.
If you have any questions, please email the teacher in charge Steven Van Nes (or Matua Steve).
Sports on school grounds:
- ANI students are now permitted to bring sports gear to school and use it during break times from 4th April.
We request is that if students bring equipment from home they follow good hygiene practices and clean their equipment after use. We will provide cleaning materials and remind them.
The school will also provide sports gear during morning tea and lunchtime break times for students to use. Sports Monitors from each class will organise this for the remainder of the term and into term 2.
AIMS Individual sports:
All the signups for AIMS individual sports will be finalised during term 2 and more information about the selection process for individual sports will be available at that time.
Due to the fact that Cross country is held in the Term 3 event, we will need to hold trials earlier. This means that runners wanting to represent ANI at AIMS cross country will need to do this in term 2. (Actual date TBC)
Ngā mihi nui,
Carlos Kucera (Sports Coordinator)
2022 Netball Season
If your child is interested in playing Netball for ANI in 2022, please take the time to read the information below and complete the form (link here) to give permission for your child to attend the upcoming netball trials.
Return the completed form to Miss Schaumkel in Room 14 or by email to @kschaumkel@ani.school.nz no later than Monday 4th April.
Once trials are completed, teams will be notified and full details regarding fee payments and uniform collection will be provided. Please read the information below before confirming your child’s participation in the upcoming trials. Selections are carried out by independent selectors from Auckland Netball. Team selection will be finalised within two weeks of the final trial date, if possible. The selector’s decision is final.
Trials Information
Trial Venue: Auckland University Barn TBC
Trial Dates:
Year 7 Trials
● Tuesday 5th April 3:30 – 4:30pm
● Call backs if required Tuesday 12th April 3:30 – 4:30pm
Year 8 Trials
● Thursday 7th April 3:30 – 4:30pm
● Call backs if required Wednesday 13th April 3:30 – 4:30pm
Competition Information
Competition Venue: Windmill Park
Competition Day: Monday Afternoon/Evenings. Start Term 2 – May 9th/Finish Term 3 August 29th
Start Times: Start times range from 4pm – 7pm (TBC Weekly)
Umpires: ANC Umpires are currently being organised by ANI (this cost is included in the netball fees below)
Transport: Parents/Players are responsible for organising transport to and from the courts
Player Fees: The player fee for the season is $120 per person, which includes registration, selectors and umpires for the trials, as well as weekly umpires, team equipment and uniform cleaning, at the end of the season. There is also an additional cost of a $30 BOND for netball uniform hire, this will be refunded when the uniform is returned at the end of the season.
Total Fees: This brings the total fee to $150 which must be paid in full into the school account by Thursday 14th April. Note: Payment is not required until after trials.
Coaches/Managers: Each team is responsible for arranging their own coach and manager for the season.
Please note: If you have any other queries, please do not hesitate to contact me through email at @kschaumkel@ani.school.nz
Community of Learning initiatives
Our involvement and action:
What is CoL?
ANI is one of 12 local schools who work collaboratively on shared initiatives that are designed to lift the overall achievement and efficacy of our ako. This collection of schools is known as Auckland Central Community of Schools (ACCoS) and we have been working together for several years since 2016.
How does it work?
Each school has designated representatives in various roles who work collaboratively to develop practical outcomes related to each initiative. Every school has control over which initiatives they’re involved in and at ANI we are involved with three initiatives this year. 1) COVID impact, 2) Te Ao Māori and 3) Local curriculum. The COVID Impact and Te Ao Māori initiatives are new to ANI this year and were chosen as an important area of growth for our school, staff and learners. The local curriculum initiative is a continuation of the work we did in this area last year. Further explanation of each initiative is detailed below:
COVID Impact
This is a brand new initiative to our community with 5 schools participating. Due to the turbulent nature of the last 2 years, it is important that we reflect upon the impact that COVID 19 has had on education and in particular on student engagement and achievement in learning. We will focus upon the core areas of Literacy and Maths this year, investigating to see what strengths online learning has had on our young learners, as well as the challenges that have impacted their understanding of key concepts and skills. We hope to collect data from across schools as to these impacts, analysing the gaps in student learning and create a targeted plan to help support our students in their progress of literacy and maths.
Te Ao Maori
Nau mai haere mai ki Te Ao Māori initiative. Through this mahi, we are excited to build a deeper collective understanding and local knowledge of Te Ao Māori and begin to implement the new Aotearoa New Zealand Histories Curriculum. The initiative will come to life in our akonga (classrooms) with language and tikanga. Our aim is to equip our learners with the knowledge of our local and national history through a Te Ao Māori lens, understand the impacts this has had on our society today and empower them to make choices and take action for a better tomorrow. Please reach out if you have any experience in Te Ao Māori or have connections to local iwi. Building whanaungatanga is an important part of our journey! svannes@ani.school.nz
Local Curriculum
This initiative is one of the largest in our community of learning, comprised primarily of the senior leaders at local primary, intermediate and one secondary school. We are working to establish a shared definition of local curriculum and a common understanding of its four core components, one of which is supporting teachers to create rich learning experiences for our ako. The other main feature of local curriculum is in identifying where schools are unified and where we are unique; applying this knowledge to foster collaboration and connections across schools which helps all schools with aspects like transition and professional learning.
ANI Trips
Expressions of Interest
We are in the process of exploring travel options for learning experience trips around September. There will be some overseas destinations (Australia, Fiji, Noumea) and an option for Queenstown. Please have a talk to your young person and discuss if they might be interested. We are in the early stages of getting an indication of interest only and of course the trips will COVID dependent and need to be approved by our Board of Trustees. Students and parents can indicate if they are interested in more than one trip.
The google form below is for you to indicate your interest for a certain trip(s). The school will not hold you to the trip but we ask that once you make a firm commitment a deposit will be requested to hold the place.
Queenstown NZL: Approximate cost $1200 – $1500
Cairns (Eco Trip): Approximate cost: $2300 – $2700
Noumea (Culture and language Focus): Approximate cost: $2900 – $3200
Gold Coast (Hinterland Focus): Approximate cost: $2000 – $2500
Fiji (Social Action Focus ): Approximate cost: $2500 – $2800
The following trips will be based on 7 days which include accommodation, flights, food and transport. Spending money will be extra.
A full itinerary will be available once we know numbers, have board approval and COVID restrictions permit.
Please fill out the google form to indicate your interest.
Mr Devery
MPS and 10TS Projects - Update
MPS - Multipurpose Space (hall and gym combined) 10TS - Ten teaching space (two storied new building on courts)
We are excited to share with you some recent updates that have been happening at school regarding the building projects, the MPS and 10TS. Some good progress is being made on these current spaces.
The MPS has had structural steel installed for the mezzanine floor, framing to the toilets done, scaffolds put up and we will continue to see rafters added to the roof.
The 10TS has had first-floor edging boxing done, concrete slabs poured, structural steel installed and the roof framing is complete. The handover and estimated dates for the MPS to be completed is late September and mid-November for the 10TS. It is great to see that these dates are only just around the corner!
The courts near the Year 7 Quad, outside rooms 15 and 16 have had three-sided basketball hoops installed and blue court line marking done. The students are using these each break and they are having so much fun.
MPS – Multipurpose Space (hall and gym combined)
10TS – Ten teaching space (two storied new building on courts)
PTA News
ANI Mufti Week
Accord Teacher Only Days (NZEI)
The teachers collective agreement allowed 8 Teacher Only days to be held between 1/07/2019 and 30/06/2022. These days are to provide teachers and principals additional time to :
- Deepen their knowledge and practice around the local curriculum (within the context of the removal of national standards)
- Strengthen their understanding of the use of assessment tools for learning and teaching
- Respond to the recommendations of the education work programme in the Curriculum, Progress and Achievement (CPA) Report
- Familiarise themselves with curriculum work changes that will become available over the term of the collective agreements.
Due to COVID restrictions we have only used four of these days. The remaining four will be held as follows:
20 May 2022 – This day is set aside for our staff to meet and moderate various pieces of work to ensure that the teacher judgements given to students are consistent and accurate. In addition this, staff will also use this time to assess final pieces of work before they write reports.
23 May 2022 – This day is set aside for our staff to write reports. They will gather their soft and hard copies of assessment information which will help them write their reports.
3 June 2022 – Collaborative teacher only day between our 12 COL schools. We are fortunate enough to join our community of learning in unpacking the new NZ Histories curriculum. We have a guest speaker who will facilitate this day and our staff are looking forward to learning more about this newly released curriculum.
27 June 2022 – This day is set aside as a well-being day for our staff. We have a guest speaker booked who will come and talk on the topic of “How to work in a post COVID world”. Our staff will then have time in teams to discuss the content and how they might implement it.
Enrolment 2023
We have the following dates booked for Open Days for anyone thinking of enrolling at our school in 2023:
Tuesday 7th June 1.30 – 2.30pm
Tuesday 21th June 11am – 12pm
Tuesday 26th July 9 – 10am
Wednesday 31st August 1.30 – 2.30pm
Tuesday 13th September 9 – 10am
Wednesday 19th October 9 – 10am
Thursday 10th November 9 – 10am
Term 2 COVID information & arrangements
Please note: These plans are dependent on CRP setting and will be adjusted in and when we move to orange setting. In the meantime, we are planning to start the term with the following arrangements.
1) RAT Tests are now available for students to use or take home. Please advise the school on ani@ani.school.nz if you require any to test your young person.
2) Our Staggered Days programme will finish on Friday 8 April at 3pm. From Monday 11th April we will have all classes on-site daily. Thank you for your cooperation while we managed staff absences and shortages.
3) School timetable. Weeks 1 & 2 – Now that we can hold gatherings with larger groups, we intend holding team assemblies at the start of next term. Sports also begins which is explained further on in todays newsletter. Language teachers will commence delivering their lessons, once again, face to face from term 2.
4) School timetable. Week 3 onward – Normal school hours as below for both year groups. There will be longer be staggered morning tea or lunch breaks. Visitors are welcome on site but please observe mask-wearing and sanitise at the entry to any building.
SCHOOL HOURS
Starts: 8:45am (9am on Mondays)
Interval: 10:30 – 10:50am
Lunch: 12:30 – 1:25pm
Ends: 3:00pm
PLEASE REMEMBER: TERM 1 ENDS 14th APRIL
SCHOOL CLOSES AT 2pm
Have a safe and happy Easter
TERM 2 BEGINS MONDAY 2nd MAY
