Learning in Years 7-8

Dear Parents,

Last week I began some informal research amongy local year 6 students from the area about what they might consider their ideal learning environment to be for Years 7-8.

I had a very animated group of over 80 students telling each other, and then me, about what their ideals might be.  I am interested in their thoughts becasue at MCS we want to make learning engaging and relevant to those we teach.

Below are the responses of the children, and my responses to them:

Good relationships with teachers                
Our teachers are well-liked by their students

Teachers who interact with kids                
Our teachers listen to their students

Teachers who don't just talk and demonstrate from the front but get the students involved
Our students are very involved in their learning and are not just 'listening to the teacher'

An area in the classroom for computers      
Our classrooms do have areas for computers, but all our learners also have their own iPads

A relaxing area with cushions, couches and bean bags
All our classrooms have couches and cushions

Big classrooms that aren't stuffy and full      
Our classrooms are large and well ventilated, and learners can choose where they work

Trips and visits from people/ real life learning not just learning for a test
We agree that this is important

A big field, a sandpit and  a waterslide         
We have the first two and occasionally set up a waterslide

Exciting learning                                          
Because we allow choice within our investigations, and our Year 5-8 learners have their own timetables, they tend to be interested in their learning and also develop self management skills. They don't have to sit and listen to a teacher talking for a long time to the whole class very often

Sport and Music and Art, and Science experiments that everyone can do  rather than just watch
We are joining the North Harbour Intermediate Sports Organisation so that we can compete in interschool sports, we will be contracting a sports teacher regularly, we will have a stronger Music focus with individual instruments being taught, we plan an Art exhibition at the end of the year, and we have requested Professional Development in Science education. We just need more students at this level to make a stronger cohort.

The students were very animated as they listened to what we are providing and plan to provide at MCS, and we have already had some enrolment enquiries. I am continuing to speak with year 6 students in the next few weeks, and it is my hope that we will have a strong group of older learners keen to start with us next year.

Please let your friends know that MCS is a positive option for them to consider.

Thanks

Helen Pearson