Kia ora and Greetings

2010 is proving to be yet another productive year for Forrest Hill School. This year we have received a lot of positive feedback  on the work that we have  done as a school in the wider field of education.

Last year we were  the focus of a case study looking at the way we had successfully managed change. The study  examined the way we had implemented the new NZ Curriculum as well as the way we had designed and implemented an inquiry approach to learning. The study that was being carried out by TEAM Solutions ( the 'old' advisory to schools), took many months and it was this year in term one when we were invited to attend a  presentation evening where our work was heralded and celebrated.  A brochure about our work has been professionally printed and is to be circulated to all NZ schools. There are copies in the reception area of the main office if you would like to look at one.

At the beginning of this last term I was contacted by the  chief editor of the NZ Education Gazette, a professional magazine that  goes into every NZ school every fortnight. It seems that our school has been nominated  as being one where sound work is being done in the area of 'moderation'. Moderation is all about using systems to ensure consistency in teacher judgements relating to assessment information. The current new National Standards rely on consistent and reliable moderation processes to help ensure the provision of accurate  assessment data  from all schools across the country. The information about our school having sound systems in place had come from the recent work done as part of the Ministry of Education's 'Extending High Standards Across Schools' contract, of which we were a lead school. As a result of that contract, our work is now a feature in the NZ Education Gazette.
 
It is nice to be noted for the professional work that our teachers and leaders at Forrest Hill School do, that ensures our school  rides on 'the crest of the wave' in education rather than just 'wallowing around in the wake'!

We are now fully immersed in deepening teacher understandings and use of information and communication technology through being part of the Ministry of Education's ICT project, working with three other schools in the local community. As such, we are learning how to further enhance student achievement with the use of the tools of the 21st Century.

Never a dull moment around here!  Do make contact with us if you would like to know more about the school's intiatives in keeping ahead in the ever changing world of education.
  
Kind Regards

Enid Watson                                                                                        
M.Ed (Hons);  Dip.Ed.Mgmt; Adv.Dip.Tch. TTC.