Newsletter - Term 1, Week 5
Thursday 02 March 2023
From the Principal
Kia ora koutou katoa
At this week's assembly I spoke about choice. I shared with students that I believe the choices they make are a vital component in their education at Fiordland College.
Choice has the potential to allow a student's voice, hopes and ambitions to become part of their day to day learning and, can help them feel more engaged in the classes, learning, assessments and pathways that you’re striving to achieve.
There are also challenges with choice.
If students always choose what they already know well, or take the safest path, then they are making a choice that may actually hinder their ability to grow or learn new things. For example, if in a class a teacher gives the students the option of how to present their assignment, a student might choose to present it as a poster because that’s what they’ve always done and because they already know they are good at it. If they chose to present the assignment as a storyboard for a film or as a speech, they might be less confident, but it presents an opportunity to grow their skills in a new area. These choices can lead us to a place of missing out or not taking an opportunity that could help us find a new direction or a new area of passion.
I can think of this in my own experience. At school I was really good at History, so I went to University and studied History. By the end of the first year, I was really aware that I actually didn’t love History that much but I really didn’t know what I could do instead. Through a bit of experimentation I eventually found Social Anthropology, and I loved it. Had I not been brave enough to give that course a go, I’d have never known how much I enjoyed learning about culture and people.
Choices are also heavily influenced by our friends and family and our teachers and there are always mentors or experts who you can check in with to help you make an informed choice. I see this as a bit like when you’re thinking about making a really big purchase. In these situations you tend to talk to others, read reviews online and maybe even talk to the salespeople. Eventually you’ll make an informed choice. Your educational choices should be the same. Students should use their teachers, kaiārahi, family and friends to help them make an informed choice.
And don't forget to be prepared to say yes to opportunities that you might not think you are ready for. School is a safe place to try things out and persist until you achieve.
Ngā mihi nui
Steven Mustor
Fiordland College School App
Some parents have missed the exciting news that the school now has a School App!
Go to either Play Store for android phones or Apple Store for Iphones and download the free School App. The icon looks like a black background with a 3D box. Right side pink, left side blue and the top black. (See photo)
When you download the app it will ask you which school. Enter Fiordland College. This app is different to the KAMAR portal. This is the place you can find our weekly newsletters and alert notices, post your child's absences, and view the school calendar. You can also opt into special groups to get information just for that group.
The newsletter is our main information stream for parents and caregivers - so don't miss out, sign up for the app today for easy access to this and other vital information.
Tik Tok Changes
Please click on the link below to go to a very interesting article on the changes Tik Tok have made to their platform. It involves a one hour limit. A great read for parents!
https://www.safeonsocial.com/post/tiktok-60min-limit-under-18s
Email: admin@fiordland.school.nz
Phone: +64 (0)3 249 7819