Where+to+from+here?

We are gradually getting more excited about technology. Next term, a group of three teachers will work with the Teaching and Learning Leader to explore the possibilities of class portfolios and blogs. We are also considering putting the Student Engagement Survey online BUT access to technology is a real problem for us. Ideally we need at least a second, class set of laptops and a digital camera for each classroom so that teachers can capture those special moments on the spot and conduct in-depth technology-based lessons with all the students at once, rather than in a fragmented way. **Donations anyone??**

To address the issue of community engagement, we will be involved in a whole-school art-based unit - Give me an Art Attack! - in Term 3 2011. The project is a result of our successful application for a Community Arts Grant and will draw on the talents of local artist, Jenni Mitchell, as well as parents and the wider community. It is a unit with a definite and defined outcome as students will be working towards designing and producing a class 'totem pole' that reflects an aspect of the local area and that will be displayed in the school grounds. It will lay a great foundation for us to focus on both the connectedness issues that students have identified and the need to work to a genuine application of skills identified by staff.

Teachers have already floated some great ideas such as hosting an Artists' Walk that showcases the work of both local artists and our students, while also allowing visitors to view the art in the church. This would certainly involve the community in a unique way.

We are also taking the time to review our initiatives to assess where we might make constructive changes. Staff completed a group PMI chart for a number of the new strategies we have tried this year at a recent staff meeting, The information will be used to inform future decisions about our capabilities and priorities.