Wednesday, April 23, 2014
Kapiti News
13
New learning framework Resonating CLOE WILLETTS Paraparaumu College is in the midst of developing an experimental new learning framework for students, designed at using praise and positive reinforcement to achieve advanced learning. The supportive learning approach, led by a team of staff and parents, coincides with the college’s Good Learner profile, a framework developed last year according to community input. Principal Gregor Fountain said teachers will be encouraged to place a strong emphasis on critical thinking, as well as effective student-teacher collaboration. POSITIVE CHANGE: Paraparaumu College students, left to right, Georgia-May ‘‘If we are all going Marston, Kendall Northcott, Kesiah Dennis and Brendon Turvey, are set to reap the to develop these skills benefits of a new learning framework this year. PHOTO: KAP140414SPLPARAPARAUMUCOLLEGE at a high level, we need school, rewarding those who behave students.’’ to ensure all members of the college Developed in the United States, appropriately, and developing community always interact with Positive Behaviour for Learning each other in a positive manner,’’ he consistent outcomes for the very approaches are already used small number of students who do said. extensively in high performing not.’’ Paraparaumu College has been schools throughout Australia. Mr Fountain said PB4L has also awarded $30,000 over a three year Mr Fountain said feedback from proven to improve job satisfaction period for the scheme, as part of the secondary schools in New Zealand, for teachers, better helping them to Ministry of Education’s Positive that are already implementing the understand student behaviour. Behaviour For Learning Schoolapproach, has so far been positive. ‘‘Part of the team’s role in Wide (PB4L) — with some of the ‘‘We believe a school-wide implementing this strategy is to grant to be spent on rewards for emphasis on positive behaviour will analyse data relating to student participating students. further enhance the experience and behaviour, and to ensure teaching ‘‘We will be specifically teaching achievement of our students,’’ he of the behaviour and rewards are students about the behaviours we said. targeted at appropriate groups of expect in class and around the
with young
An exciting new novel for young readers by local writer Anne Ingram was launched at a gathering of more than 50 at Paraparaumu Library recently. Lucy Bee & the Secret Gene is a novel about identity, school, family and friendship. Who is Lucy Bee? She always thought she was Lucy Bennett but then doubt begins to grow like a mushroom in Lucy’s fertile mind. Are her parents really her parents? Does she really belong to the Bennett family? BOOK LAUNCH: Anne Ingram She has to find out. signs a copy of her new book She sets out to decode Lucy Bee and the Secret Gene her DNA. at its launch. The idea for this PHOTO: KAP080414SPLLAUNCH novel came when the DNA through her family. author ran a children’s On the way, as in real life, bookstore. other things happen ‘‘Young readers of Anne Ingram has around age eight to 12 worked as an editor, would come in wanting teacher, bookseller and books that reflected their writer. This is her eighth lives, stories that dealt book for young readers. with the themes of family, ‘‘I hope the identity and belonging. contemporary themes in This is that novel.’’ this novel will resonate Lucy is bullied at school with young readers who because she is a little are growing up in a world different. She begins to where science has given us realise she doesn’t look the means to examine the much like her parents. Is very essence of who we are she adopted? Was she and where we fit in.’’ swapped at birth? How can she find out? With the help of her best friend, Megan, ■ Lucy Bee & the Secret Gene she goes on a gene hunt, is available from local tracing the path of her booksellers.
DR R AFT T AN N NU U AL L P LA A N 20 0 14 4 – 20 0 15
HAVE YOUR SAY BEFORE 5PM, 28 APRIL 2014 Kapiti Coast District Council welcomes your feedback on the Draft Annual Plan for 2014/15. Your views are important to us. The Mayor, all Councillors and Community Board Chairs will get copies of every submission.
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The Annual Plan sets out the Council’s budget and work programme, detailing: • Where money will be spent over the next year • Which projects will be progressed, and • How much has to be raised in rates to meet spending needs. We are proposing changes to some of the things we had planned for in the 2012 Long Term Plan, so we can: • Balance the ongoing spending needs of the District in order to provide everyday services like roading, libraries, recreational facilities and water, and • Keep rates at an affordable level. Fluoride is a specific issue for this year. Your views on this are also welcome. We want your feedback on what’s planned. More information about the Draft 2014/15 Annual Plan and how to make your submission is available by visiting a Council office/library or on the Council website:
www.kapiticoast.govt.nz