I Heart Good News Stories

Written by Lisa Burnett Thursday, 21 July 2011 03:53

A huge thanks to Leanne Edminstone for her amazing story on 500 Hours in the Sunday Mail's "U" magazine (July 17, 2011)

Previously, pretty much every media story I've ever been involved with has been a bit of a let down. Wrong dates, wrong names, no venue. Arrrgghhhhhhh.

Not this time though. Leanne got it 100% right. Love, love, love it :)

You can see a copy of the article here -

http://www.500hours.org/images/stories/cm_story_170711.jpg

Photo: Adam Armstrong

Great Idea for Your Class

Written by Lisa Burnett Thursday, 02 June 2011 07:51

Did a super simple, super cheap, super fun activity with the year 6/7 class today. Each student wrote down an interview question on something they wanted to know about their teacher. Then we randomly drew the questions out for their teachers to answer. Some of the questions were really deep -

What is your biggest fear and why?

Why did you become a teacher?

What do you do on the weekend in terms of being a dad and husband? For example, how do you look after your kids?

And of course, there were lots about hobbies, favourite foods and family life –

What is your favourite kind of ice cream?

How did you meet your wife?

When and why did you start to surf?

It was a really great way to help the kids see the person behind the teacher. The principal is next!

Post Term 1 Update

Written by Samantha Jockel Thursday, 26 May 2011 05:22

After our first term working at Kippa Ring State School these are some things we have learnt:

• half a dozen senior school students can't read beyond year two level
• More than 50% of prep students have the oral literacy skills of three and half year olds (or less)

Our activities at Kippa Ring State School so far have included:

• Applying for and receiving a grant for a reading tutor to work with 7 upper primary (Grade 6 and 7) students that have the reading level of a grade 3 student or below to work one-on-one, four times a week. 
• Facilitating a group of students to run 4 fundraising events in the school for the floods.  These students raised a total of $1051.53 which was an amazing effort for this school.
• Organising and sourcing funds to create a support group for young women who are struggling to connect as a result of low self-esteem and body confidence issues.  This project is called Hula Helps!!
• Working with a combined class of 54 year 6/7 students one hour per week, every week, focusing on life skills and social capital building to see if that has any impact on those students over the course of the year.
• Applying for an Artist in Residence grant which we are hopeful about receiving which will involve Circa (Circus Crew) coming into Kippa Ring one day a week in term 3 to deliver circus skills and classes to year 5 and 6 students including aerials, tissue and other skills. 

As you can see from most of our work so far we are choosing to focus on upper primary as this is where the support and resource gap is.

We are excited about this term and already getting our Hula On with some lovely year 7 girls!!!!

Go TEAM!

Written by Lisa Burnett Thursday, 31 March 2011 04:01

How amazing is this picture? Can you draw as well as that? Me either!

For the last few weeks we've been working with the class on some self-awareness stuff. Looking at what their strengths and challenges are and exploring areas for personal improvement.

Today we had them illustrate one of their challenges in cartoon form, including a before and after panel of them 'experiencing the challenge' and 'mastering the challenge'. We saw some really beautiful work with the students really 'owning' their personal challenges and clearly articulating them verbally and visually.

Something I noticed is the keen fascination students had around the strengths and challenges of the adults in the room when they were sharing. They are really curious about 'who' the people who teach them are. The personal/professional line is an ever-present discussion in community work. How can you be an effective role-model when you don't share yourself generously, and show your vulnerability? Something interesting to think about.