Anne Sinclair

Learning, Creating, Sharing, Inspiring, Connecting, Reminding, Pursuing, Main thing is the main thing, Collaborating, Fearless Fellowship, Enjoying and Celebrating who we are. What an amazing Hui this was, with student learning and achievement at the heart of everything we saw and heard. Thank you to all the teachers and learners and generous people who make Manaiakalani what it is. A centre for making futures happen for our young people and community. Mā te rongo, ka mōhio; Mā te mōhio, ka mārama; Mā te mārama, ka mātau; Mā te mātau, ka ora.   Through resonance comes cognisance; through cognisance comes understanding; through understanding comes knowledge; through knowledge comes life and well-being.

                    Procedural Writing making Takakau bread John Hattie’s research shows it is the way teachers teach and the way students see themselves as learners that matters the most difference. This MDTA teacher considers the impact of her teaching on her student's learning and continually thinks of how she can engage them, when she plans and builds learning experiences. These students were keen to try something new and saw it as a challenge to do this task. 12:50 PM - 29 Aug 2017                   Many hands make light work making  Takakau bread and collaborating in a task, which requires working together to construct the bread.  The students were given the ingredients, but not the written recipe, just oral instructions, as the students proceeded with the making. They were not given the steps.  Working in groups of 4 they all got a chance to have a part in the making. Some of the groups took a little longer to get going, where others could see what they had to

. Business partnership opportunity for our extension groups. The Warehouse Group wanted some new look ideas for designs for their school range of products and what better place to come than to Point England school! This group of creative and hardworking designers got to work and spent 2 days under the guidance of the Warehouse design team, to produce 'kidspeak' designs for stationery, clothing, backpacks, lunch boxes, drink bottles and emojis. They worked nonstop for 2 whole days, but were so engaged and enjoying the chance to think and create the time flew by. As you can see they were rewarded for their work in these brown paper bags!  Learn Create Share

Term 2 Production by Yr 5&6 Extension Group Back in da Day was written, music composed, lyrics written, dances choreographed, casting, lighting and sound designed, digital backdrop designed, researched, costumes created, directed and produced by the students. This was an example of teachers talking and doing less and students talking and doing more. As teachers, we find it very hard to 'let go' and be more student centric. It is about giving students space and permission to 'have a go' and create. This production was 'going beyond the reef' and resulted in increased confidence, self efficacy, enjoyment, using talents, trying new things, learning, learning, learning.  It was about us teachers trusting the students and empowering them to reach for the sky without setting limits to their potential and imaginations. The planning involved and the discipline needed to do something of this magnitude, was testament to the philosophy of learn, create, share and