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Newsletter Term 4 No 5 - 11 November 2010 |
Term 4 No 5 -11 November 2010
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Dear Parents
“640K ought to be enough for anybody..." – Circa 1981
My editorial last week subsequently caused a number of parents to discuss with me issues around the technological changes taking place in our schools. It seemed appropriate therefore to return to a topic I discussed, and a quote I used, a year ago.
There is some debate around the original origin of the above quote. It is most often attributed to Bill Gates, who claims, “…I’ve said some stupid things and some wrong things, but not that.” It does however make an important point, that in a little under thirty years the world has changed enormously.
It said that we are living in exponential times. The rapid growth in technology means that knowledge is accessible to all, literally a mouseclick, or mobile search away. Children no longer finger pages of a reference book, or sit and wonder, every seven year old knows that “you can just Google it!”
Teaching children to understand the way in which they think, and giving them the skills to develop how they think, is more important now than at any other time in our history. As those of you who attended our Parents’ Workshop earlier in the year know the children at VAS learn how to use a variety of tools such as Thinking Maps (visual tools to help organise thinking) and Habits of Mind (behaviours and effective thinking that characterise successful people).
I have previously encouraged parents to watch the "Shift Happens" video. In fact there are many versions of the original, which is just a few years old, but they are all giving us one clear message, our children will be entering a world of work and technology that we can possibly not yet imagine. The rapidly changing world demographics will bring very different challenges and opportunities for our young people, and the skills required for them to be successful in this environment will certainly not all be learnt from a textbook.
Many parents also enjoyed watching the famous TED talk given by Sir Ken Robinson discussing "Creativity in Schools".
Recently he gave a talk entitled "Changing Education Paradigms "
where he asked “…how do we make change happen in education and how do we make it last?” This video is under 12 minutes long and is given in an animated visual form that is quite inspiring.
If you are interested in finding out a little more about Thinking Maps or Habits of Mind then of course, as your children would tell you “just Google it!” Meanwhile if you have got the time, then sit down with a cup of coffee or glass of wine and check out one of Sir Ken Robinson’s talks or Shift Happens …it is worth reflecting on what an amazing world our children are growing up in; truly exponential times.
Kind regards
Allan Short
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Coming Events and Term Dates
Refer to the calendar on our Home Page
www.victoriaave.com
Click Here for copy of Term 4 Calendar.
IMPORTANT DATES AND TIMES
School Times
School starts: 8.50am
Interval: 10.40-11.00am
Lunch: 12.30-1.30pm
School finishes: 3.00pm
Stationery Sales
Tuesdays and Thursdays: 8.30-8.45am
Uniform Shop
Fridays only: 8.30-9.00am
Orders and payments for uniform can be made online on our website http://victoriaave.com/school-shop
Lunch Orders
French Lunches: Tues only
Subway: Wed and Fri
Sushi: Thurs only
Order forms/Instructions
http://victoriaave.com/our-school/lunch-orders
Term Dates 2010
Term 4 Mon 11 Oct to Fri 17 Dec.
Term Dates 2011
Term 1 Thurs 3rd Feb to Fri 15 Apr 2011
Term 2 Mon 2 May to Fri 15 July 2011
Term 3 Mon 1 Aug to Fri 7 Oct 2011
Term 4 Tues 25 Oct to Fri 16 Dec.
FRENCH LUNCHES on TUESDAYS
~ Good News
French lunches can now be ordered on Tuesdays- no preordering required!
LOST PROPERTY
Please name lunch boxes and drink bottles
- there has been a great deal making
their way to lost property!
I also have some Year 3/4 girl's mufti clothes in my office - a pink Kathmandu fleece, jeans etc. It has been at school for a number of weeks. Email me if you think it might be your child's gear.
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
LEAVERS DINNER
~ fairy light request.
Are there any white or silver fairy lights out there that the Leavers Dinner Committee can borrow? The year six dinner will be held on the 9th Dec.
We’d appreciate the lights beforehand – 26th Nov, so we can work out how many we require. These would have to be named (sticky label) and preferably taken home after the event, but I can arrange delivery to classrooms. It would be great if these could be dropped off to the office by the above date.
Any more information needed please call Maria 5244874. Thanks for the help we have a very limited budget!
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SPORTS NEWS
BASKETBALL RESULTS
The Vicky Ave Vipers played the Kohi Pistons in a battle for 4th place on the table, in the last game before the play-offs. The Vipers had a very slow start to the game and by half time they were trailing 0 - 6. In the second half the team was more focussed and looked more determined to get the ball. They dominated the half and had plenty of shots on goal but unfortunately were only able to score 2 baskets, finishing the game 4 - 6 down. Its a good example of how important it is to start a game strong and hold the momemtum through to the finish. However, it was good to see the team perform the second half strongly. Georgia Jackson was Player of the Day for her good positional play, covering on defence when our players were out of position, and scoring our first basket. Charles Hill got the Coaches Award for his great defending. Alice McIlroy-Foster also scored a basket. A big thanks to Lucas Lam (from the Year 3 team) for playing the second half, when one of our team got injured.
Vicky Venom vs Meadowbank – Won 4-3
Vicky Venom came away with a well earned win last night against Meadowbank. The team as a whole showed improved defensive and attacking skills. Player of the Day was Alex Hoffman for his determination and work on court, giving 100% of himself. Coaches choice went to Emily Nicholas who did a great job under the hoop getting those rebounds. Special mention to Jac for getting those goals through the hoop for us, Jamie for getting the ball down court and Charli for consistently showing us how to take the ball off the opposing team!! Well done to you all.
The Year 6 Chiefs played against Parnell Primary in a fast and exciting game but were unable to match a more dominant side. Nicholas Kwasza and Calvin Fraser played a fantastic game, playing well both on defence and offence. Ethan Lee played well defensively and threw in many good passes. Dan Young played a superb game with many intercepts and rebounds. Sarah Scoular was always ready offensively and defensively. Luca Mercer put in a top effort and managed to put the points on the board, including one in the last 5 seconds of the game from around the keyhole. The whole team contributed to the score and played extremely well, which did not reflect the effort and enthusiasm of the team. Final score 35-20.
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Last Sporting Dates for 2010
23rd November
Summer Exchange against St Michaels 1.15pm - 2.30pm at Thomas Bloodworth
Boys Cricket Team
Girls Cricket Team
Mixed Softball Team Yr5/6
Mixed Softball Team Yr3/4
24th November
Waterwise Programme proposed catch up date for the Friday group
25th November
Final session for the Thursday group
26th November
Athletics Day
29th November
Zones Athletics Day
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ATHLETICS DAY DETAILS
Friday 26 November
AT
Millennium Institute Of Sport & Health, 17 Antares Place
Rosedale, Albany
Travelling by bus:
- Seniors (Y5/6) at school by 8.15am
- Middles (Y3/4) at school by 8.15am
- Bus departing at 8.30am.
- Juniors leaving school at 11.00am
Timetable for the day's events will be available from 21st November on the school website and emailed to all parents. |
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