LAWRENCE AREA SCHOOL

Community Newsletter
14th March 2013 No 3

As you will know we as a school were recently reviewed by the Education Review Office. This was a full review e.g. it looked at all aspects of the schools operations seeking to answer the following question: How effectively is your schools curriculum promoting student learning - engagement, progress and achievement? Three reviewers; Russell Wallace, Jane Lee and Janet Pereira spent four days carrying out a very professional and in depth review. The Board have been presented with emerging findings which are confidential until the finalised review is published in approximately eight weeks. What can be written at this point is that the Board received very positive information acknowledging the schools successes and progress made since the 2010 review. As part of the 2013 Annual Plan an initiative that is already underway is goal setting with students. This for students is a tough task as they often (as we as adults do) set too lofty a goal, too long term. We are working with students to set goals that are measurable and achievable in the short term. Goals will be related to key competencies: Managing Self e.g. My goal is to complete my homework on time Participating and Contributing e.g. My goal is to organise and run a successful fundraiser for childhood cancer Relating to others e.g. My goal is to introduce myself confidently to visitors to class Thinking e.g. My goal is to write information in my own words when researching Language, symbols and texts e.g. My goal is to use capital letters to start sentences Goals will be age appropriate, will be shared with parents, will complement next steps goals set in reports, and goals in personal learning plans. To be successful students will need feedback, from home as well as school. We plan to review and therefore renew goals each term and hope that success breeds success. Mixed in with ERO visit were two major annual events; athletics at Roxburgh and Swimming Championships. Year 7-13 students travelled to Roxburgh for what proved to be a very successful day of athletics. This interschool event also fosters enduring friendships based around competition and challenge. The big challenge this year was the heat. It was roasting. This did not deter students, who completed hard then sought shade between events. Conduct and participation were both outstanding making this a very enjoyable day. All students performed to their very best. Liam, Nadia, Hannah, Merran, and Josh qualified to compete at the Otago Secondary Schools Athletics Championships held on Saturday. The Junior School Swim Carnival was held at Waitahuna on 21st February. Our youngest students Yr 0-3 had a wonderful day enjoying in a raft of swimming/water activities. Waitahuna as ususal were great hosts and we send our thanks to them. Yr 4-13 students from Waitahuna and Lawrence had a very noisy day cheering on swimmers on Friday 1st March. Competition between Read and Woods was robust and loud. Woods had a number of new chants to encourage their competitors and disparage others. All however was good hearted rivalry. There were many excellent races and fine individual performances. Woods, yet again, won the premier event, the interhouse relay. We would like to thank the many helpers and supporters. We would like to especially thank Cara and her pool staff for their excellent help. For those of you with a sense of history Mr Jeff Howell was again the centre of attention as he broadcast announcements through the day.
Kind Regards John Auld

Holly Watt

Dear Parents and Friends of the School

Holly Wilson

Athletics Roxburgh 2013

Athletics Roxburgh 2013

South Otago Athletics 2013

School Swimming Sports 2013

Otago secondary schools athletics 2013

School Swimming Sports 2013