End Of An Inning

School's out for summer

School's out forever

School's been blown to pieces

No more pencils

No more books

No more teacher's dirty looks

- Alice Cooper band

Hokowhitu School

Before we moved to Palmy, we were looking at the neighbourhood we would be going to (Hokowhitu), and curious about the schools. Given the haphazard education system in the U.S., and the fact that we were coming from South Carolina, a state not exactly known for high standards in public education, we weren't sure where Little H would fit in. In the U.S., she had just started 5th grade, and in NZ she would be starting the final term of Year 6 (5th grade). In effect, she would start 5th grade in August and finish in December, advancing to 6th Grade in February.

She had been in the Gifted and Talented program since 3rd grade, so we were fairly confident she would do just fine, but thrusting her into a new environment, in a new country with a very different approach to their education system and standards, created more than a little bit of parental angst. Our thought was to have her start with the Year 6's at Hokowhitu and hold her back if the transition proved difficult. As usual, she surprised everyone and no-one with how quickly and seamlessly she joined her new whanau (Maori for family or community).

We also got very lucky with the school she attended. We fall into the catchment area for two different elementary schools. Hokowhitu School is less than 1/2 a block from our house, and after meeting with the Deputy Principal and touring the school, the choice was easy.

Opened in 1924, the current main school building is listed as a Historic Building. Inside, it's not just the walls and classrooms that have undergone a modern transformation; their entire approach to elementary education is leading the way in NZ and abroad. All of the students in any given grade form a kete (Maori for "basket"), and they are further divided into whanau. In Little H's grade/year, there are 70+ students divided into 3 whanau. Each whanau is headed by a teacher, but during the day, the entire kete is intermingled. Students are encouraged to identify and work on their weakest areas, and each teacher is encouraged to teach to their strengths. Seventy-plus students with three roving teachers, all working independently but encouraged to work together when beneficial.

The Year 6 classroom building is divided into three interconnected whanau rooms within which there are multiple areas to work. There are a couple of small enclosed rooms for working quietly or in which to pull small groups of students for specific instruction. Throughout the kete, students can work at  tables, sit on couches or beanbag chairs, or spread out on the floor. Students have a list of tasks that are labeled "must do" and others that are "can do". Homework is assigned on Wednesday and isn't due until the following Tuesday.

Students are given an incredible amount of freedom and responsibility, both inside the classroom and in the school as a whole. Year 6 students read to classes of younger students and perform "road control" (act as crossing guards). Recently, Kari went to the school office to pick up a summer pool key (families can sign out a key so they have access to the swimming pool over summer break). When she arrived at the school office, there were a number of Year 5 students sitting behind the reception desk answering the telephones and greeting guests. When Kari asked where the office staff were, she was told they were at lunch. She said she would come back later, but one of the students said "No, let me ring the staff room." He proceeded to get on the telephone, but they did not answer, so he got up and walked to the staff room, returning with someone to help.

This program of teaching and learning was first implemented in 2010. Lest you think that the students play all day, get pulled in to do the teachers' jobs, and end up doing very little learning, the 2015 Education Review Office report for Hokowhitu School indicates that "most students achieved at or above expectation" for the National Standards in 2013-14.

  

Hokowhitu School Graduation

It is with more than a little sadness that today, for the last time, Little H walked out of "the best school I have ever gone to". She hit a home-run here, and we all have huge hopes for what the new school year and new Middle School will bring in 2017, but for now it's summer vacation and time to hit the adventure trail. 

She came home from school today and we caught a plane to the South Island, landing in Dunedin. I will try to post a little something every day or two over the next week.

Sweet as ...