Wholeheartedly plugging into the New Year.

Teacher Only Day Number One  started with a beautiful Powhiri, The 'karanga'  by Kareena and the reply by Emily were both piercingly beautiful and deeply meaningful as Jessamina had written a specific Elim call for our brand new start to the School year. 

I'm glad I've been back on site for over a week now as a lot of cleaning, sorting and arranging has been needed. Besides many post holiday conversations,remembering log-ins( to mull over NCEA results) and passwords for data access and how to print again from a mobile device need to be recalled. PHEW- the rhythm of busyness and numerous interrupted conversations and the teaching habit become familiar once more. I'm in the Oasis. Elim- my Teaching home.

" Dare to be wholeheartedly involved and committed to your God given career." Steve Green, Pastor at Elim East really encouraged and implored each one of us to make this a great year. Choose not to easily and naturally hanker back to the "good old days". Habitual complainers are draining- commit to getting on board with the vision! Encouragement and vision breeds prosperity.

17 New Staff were welcomed to a combined Elim College staff of now more than 110. Wow this is a massive team of co-laborers for the Kingdom of God compared to the 20 or so when i stared as a part-time Social Studies/Eng teacher in July 1997.
The ice breaker/Mix and mingle that Yvette got us up and about for, was fun!.

4 people shared briefly about their Elim Journeys: 

It is so encouraging to hear how others "arrived" at Elim. Claire explained how she thought she was the"Queen" of the JC library- instead was renamed Library Mum. Robyn described Elim as a nest and reminded us that the purpose of education at Elim is firstly to train the students in a life of Worship. Secondly the shaping of their thinking by offering the very best academic teaching so that the students are great thinkers and, thirdly to grow and model acts of service: teenagers are self centered and selfish by nature- so we show them what service is all about; Help them get involved in serving God by being involved in community and worthwhile projects.  There is something deeply pleasing in listening in on authentic professional journeys. Graeme as an ex- professional clown, now English teacher and TIC Drama, he reminded us that in spite of floundering, this school is a community of trust and second chances. Colleagues and leadership teams support each other in doing and delivering the very best they can- often beyond  their professional limits.Shaun finished the morning session by telling how he navigated through the shift from small school Principal in the South Island to Head of Junior Campus with extensive changes and an interesting and very challenging collision of technology and pedagogy.

Gary hurried us on to lunchtime with important staff-handbook content and an important  tutorial on the importance of knowing and accepting the difference between DEADLINES and DUE DATES.


The afternoon session was a lot of detail about the Orientation 1st few Days program next week, Secondary admin and finally some surprisingly enjoyable collegial classroom setup. Official Day One done and dusted and now exhausted but anticipating what tomorrow holds.   


   





Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Growth, stewardship and distributive leadership - my Elim Story

Image
Growth seasons just don't stop at Elim Christian College. Autumn 2017 seems like Spring. We have sprung into a new paradigm of change yet again. We are anticipating a   SPRING of new and vast landscapes of ideas, dreams and HOPES for a new building, a design that meets hundreds of learning needs and teaching expectations and a desire for a miracle that will see teaching staff being agile enough to teach on two campus; either on various days in a week or at set times daily either on one or the other campus. After all we are a one school two sites area school: http://www.elim.school.nz/about-elim/ I have been part of a professional journey for just on 20 years on the same site. Someone recently asked me why I never get 'sick and tired of just teaching at Elim!'. My answer: "I never tire of teaching at Elim because every year a new set of students, subjects and invariably challenges come my way. I am never bored."  I also choose never to be bored . I have grown
Read more

Dreamschool...

Co- Constructed learning days... This is not a dream, it's an emerging reality. Learning leaders and learners need to agree to self construct their school day from a range of recommended learning courses. Focused requirements for this open plan learning architecture can have all stakeholders as advisors to this design. Resiliency and elasticity will be needed. A dream school...Open to learning environment, open to learning time table construction, open to learning conversations 1. One with flexibility options for the compulsory courses. They choose their start times, lunchtime slots and exit times....as long as they meet the course requirements of ( x ) contact hours required. 2. Subjects have team teachers so the same course is offered by a range of teachers... 3. This will appeal to senior students first...start earlier so they can leave earlier for sport or other commitments- or to ease traffic congestion start later and end later...more time for other things that require
Read more

You grew up

I am still mom Mamma x2 You were my newborn, toddler, schoolboy and wonderful young lad Now you’re an adult A massive one at that I would always “ Lie by you at bedtime... " we’d giggle I’d read you tales You’d tell me stories We’d talk about the vastness of space and God's incredible creation especially the Spoonbills, the Rhinos, the dolphins and the turtles You had an endless list of questions about superheroes- you were going to be one someday I never worried because I prayed fervently Contending with those who would be harsh towards you you have favor and goodness on your life  Your ball skills were and still are a talent At times you thought you were a fast fish... You are a superhero. A very tall one  Your kindness is more powerful than your biggest bicep flex  Your hugs are the best!  I used you as my companion when Dad was abroad I always had company during the school holidays Both of you are entertainers and have superb conversation craft You learnt fro
Read more