Another busy week at College involving trips away, and a visit by a Television One News crew to do a follow-up story in Heartland New Zealand about the effects of the proposed raising of the age for learner drivers and how this effects rural families.
On Friday, February 26th, our Year 13 Biology class travelled to Wellington Zoo to learn more about human evolution. They looked at primates and noted how they had evolved and changed to adapt to changes in their environment. After lunch it was a look around the rest of the Zoo and a return back to Pahiatua later that evening.
Last Tuesday, a group of 12 students, accompanied by Mrs Teekman, headed for Palmerston North to attend a Site Safe course. They learned various aspects of work-site safety including ladders, scaffolding and electrical safety. It was a very worthwhile day and participants each received a certificate, which is valid for two years, to enable them to work on any work-site in New Zealand.
The Year 9 Science classes visited Mount Bruce Wildlife Sanctuary during the week. Conservation and sustainability was a major focus, as well as looking at endangered species. The class groups were all enthusiastic and were keen to learn more through their interaction with DOC staff and local rangers.
Looking in at the endangered Blue Duck at their enclosure at Mount Bruce
Trying to spot the elusive takahe at Mount Bruce
Maths teachers conducted a diagnostic interview on all our Year 9 students last week to assess students' performance against this framework. This interview took about 20 minutes for each student, and was seen as a very rewarding experience as we watched how our students were thinking. Our classrooms will be differentiated to meet the needs of a diverse group of students.
Chantelle McNaughton is the in-school Facilitator. She will introduce and model a teaching approach for developing mathematical understanding that progresses through physical representations, imaging and on to abstract mathematical concepts.
This is a two year project, and will involve experimentation, learning and reflection from everyone who is involved. It is exciting to open your eyes to different ways of thinking and solving problems.
School Numeracy Facilitator Chantelle McNaughton with Year 9 student Jason Speers during their interview
This week our school student leaders are busy preparing for their annual turnout at Relay for Life in Palmerston North. The College is proud to participate in this event and support such a worthy cause.
Also this week our Year 9 students will be preparing for their camps next week. Their peer support leaders will organise activities for their classes. Also they will experience wall climbing and abseiling as well as spend a night out.
As you are aware the College 50th Jubilee is to be held at Easter on April 2nd-4th. If you are able to billet any people attending the Jubilee could you please ring the College on 376 8344 and leave your details.
For further information on this column or about Tararua College events, including our 50th Jubilee in Easter 2010, please contact the School office, email Mr. Mcknight at the College.
Tararua College, Churchill St, PO Box 94, Pahiatua, 4941.
Phone 06 3768344, email: admin@tararuacollege.school.nz
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Site last updated June 1, 2010