A Peek into the Classroom

Mummy had a little peek in the classroom this morning - the walls are starting to look very colourful and take on the boys' personalities and Mrs Bell's influence.

This is a Class Agreement - a photo of all boys in a rocket ready for 'take-off' together ... and 'clouds' stating expectations of behaviour, attitude, plans and 'things' the boys have agreed to with each other and the class as a whole - and it has been signed by all 12 boys in the class.

The leap frog table - see Joshua's name on the top line - he is currently 'topping' the chart and leap frog is all around maths' games.

The Merit Certificate - every day the teacher allocates both personal and community merit stickers. A 'personal' merit is individually awarded if the teacher feels the boys have worked hard, applied themselves, done the best they can - it might also be for achievements in sport, music, art; a 'community' merit is awarded when a boy shows care for and may help another boy, perhaps do some jobs without being asked, opens the door for a teacher, is polite and considerate. Joshua currently has 13 merit points and is coming 2nd in the class and seems quite determined to take first place - time will tell. But note, you can be stripped of merit points as well if you perhaps do something that is not acceptable - something I know that Joshua will really struggle with when - or if - it happens to him.

... and of all the amazing places we saw and things we did over the holidays (afterall we did almost cover the full length of the north island), Joshua chose to write his story about our trip to 'Uncle Apples' house and losing his frisbee on their roof ! Just goes to show you ... our children are sometimes the happiest with the simplest of pleasures.