Win not just 'one out of the box'

THE HUTT NEWS, Tuesday, 26 August 2003

When Maungaraki Primary School racked up 11,558 points to win Westfield Queensgate's Shop For Your School competition, they didn't do things by halves. By getting the Maungaraki community behind them, through posters, flyers and the school newsletter, the school succeeded in raising twice as many points as the runner-up school. First time principal, John Western, who has only been at the school three terms, was at the vanguard of the community-wide project. He knew having access to the latest technology would complement the school's Ecology of Learning programme. Focused heavily on literacy and numeracy, EoL includes a programme called Philosophy for Children to develop cognitive and co-operative skills, while widening individual learning styles. Each week the children are introduced to a new Habit of Mind, which draws on the research of Costa and Callick. "A habit of mind is knowing how to behave intelligently even when you do not know the answer." The 16 habits include gathering data through all the senses, thinking flexibly, questioning and posing problems, and remaining open to continuous learning.

Mr Western is delighted at how well the children have embraced the concept. To illustrate, he cites a lad who, during dinner, informed his parents, "I'm trying to control my impulsivity. I'm trying to think before I act." He says the school aims to create an environment where each child can find a niche where they will be valued. Children who struggle in everyday subjects can find themselves being the object of admiration as school drummers, guitarists, violinists or keyboard players.
In addition, Mr Western encourages his pupils to tap into the latest multi-media technology, letting them use expensive video cameras and laptops. "We start by showing them how to do things, then they just take over and leave us behind," Mr Western said with a smile.
Recently one group used a digital camera - plus what Mr Western describes as "some highly complex maths" - to capture a 3-D wrap-around image of the inside of Powell Hut on Mt Holdsworth, then later a 360 degree panorama from the top.

Winning six Apple Mac G-4 computers, plus CD writers, software, and a digital camera will enable these skills to be learned by everyone.The win, of course, created a small headache of its own. One of the first calls Mr Western received after the win came from the school's insurers, who advised a full security upgrade, involving police, the community and other security measures.
"It's all in place now," Mr Western said "and we also disable the computers each night so they cannot be used by anyone else. After all, these wonderful resources represent nine years of ICT budget - which is a bit of an indictment on government funding of schools."
One of the newest projects is the Day One DVD, in which each child stars in their own movie on their first day at school.
Another sees the children starring in their own DVDs about their lives.

One, In Sickness and In Health, is the story of a Chinese pupil who exchanged ill health in the smog of China for good health in Maungaraki's bracing climate. He ends by thanking his parents very much for bringing his family here.
"Many bring tears to your eyes," Mr Western said. The possibilities for learning in a variety of spheres seem endless. This is probably the reason why three groups of principals visited the school this term and why 30 principals and teachers from New Plymouth are booked to visit next term.

Some have visited the www.maungaraki.school.nz website and want to see the real thing.
With all this profile raising and successes, and children from the valley floor already enrolling for 2004, Mr Western is forced to consider introducing an enrolment scheme next year.

"With fantastic teachers and no shortage of ideas, we've got a lot going for us," Mr Western said.