evaluationwednesday

=Evaluation for Wednesday 12 December (Wairakei Hui, 2007)=

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Story Workshops - Innovative schools share their success stories
A real highlight of the Hui - what wonderful things are happening in some schools led by some innovative teachers. The real climax for the hui - the 2 workshops I attended (Steve Ronowicz and Te Koutu kura) were powerful testaments to the creativity and vision of teachers and communities to craft learning centred around the needs and interests of students. I was at the same two workshops - they were superb and we are grounded again. THe two workshops I attended- Te koutu and Liz Stephenson were superb and timely because of the ' build up' appraoch over the previous two days. Haing this on day one would have been wasted on us...just hearing ' good news' stories is not enough to 'shift our thinking, beliefs and practice' Excellent that we we able to see some schools actually "doing" key aspects around 'personalising' the curriculum to really meet the needs of their students. Great to hear and see what schools are doing and individuals in their schools. Well grounded. I was spellbound listen to the young people of Te Koutu. Outstanding young citizens.
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I was blown away after the 2 sessions I went to. They ended the hui on a real high note for me (sounds like I'm on drugs!) - Tracy. Thought provoking but also afirming that there are some great things happening in schools. Loved the two workshops. Great to see and hear about the talents of teachers and students. All set within the context of 21Century learning. It's out three and it's happening. Now ot make it universal. Now we understand why more time is needed to 'finish' the hui (Peter's activity was very good and appropriate/ office summary and waiata, formalities of poroporoaki) Time - as usual - the rush to finish activities. i would have liked to have had the opportunity to go to all story workshops DITTO I agree - our porporoaki is a very special part of our hui. Its a time to let things gently flow to capture the true sense of our time together.
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Having one day focused on the (new_ learfning, one day for maintaining the learning/professional relationships - sharing work, planning ahead and half a day just for reflection and poroproaki. (That is, don't add anything new in last day). Would have loved to have had these workshops on day two - with follow-up opportunities to explore key ideas further. They stimulated lots of conversation but unfortunately there wasn't any time to really reflect on the learning. DITTO
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General Stuff - Hui facilitation, organisation, venue etc
Great organisation and venue - thanks Tauranga. Warm and collaborative learning community. Well facilitated Tauranga. I liked the real focus on the future - it really felt very coherent. I liked the flow from the big ideas, through to what we might do, through to reality that the NZC is already happening in some schools. Jenny McMillan - her organisation is so essential - many thanks Wonderful that Pauline with her long service was the last to be farewelled. So neat farewelling everyone together.. the spirit was there.. it is not just an exercise but a time to really express our sense of community togther.. Really great reading and viewing the posters in the corridor.. we really have been sharing with the world.. didn't know about much of this.. in my own little world in my output LOVE the wiki - great for sharing information before the hui...and what a fantastic way to gather evaluative comments!! thanks a great fun hui with sound professional discourse and opportunity One of the best yet. Many thanks Tauranga!! Its never easy to say goodbye. Tuesday night demonstrated how strong the spirit of SSS is - time for me was no issue. Wiki a great way to communicate the 'stuff' we need to do and know re the hui.
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Well organised and everything running smoothly - at least to the rest of us. Thanks Tauranga People. greta effort and hard work on your part. Really appreciated Would have liked a little more time to enjoy the Wairakei facilities. Other 'meetings' during the 3 days need to be better organised and known (central board with participants/times/venues/...?). These are important and included team farewells, organising meetings, .... but often overlapped with others. Be great to finish for lunch at 12 so those in exotic fringe dwelling climes can get home in time for T. To lose such a number of friends and collagues. think outside the square for smallish discussion not be so tied to inside. Emotionally draining to be farewelling so many at once and for those being farewelled...I think they must have been overwhelmed really. I agree - the team meetings need to be included in the program (Tracy). No time to get out in the fresh air. The air conditioning gave me a headache. Would like at least 2 hours for Team Meetings - timetabled. Such a large number departing! Perhaps these farewells could be split over two nights in future. We could have done 10 a night. Perhaps we need to rethink timing of farewells. Our team(Sec) really went on too long and while we all want to say something to cherished colleagues who are leaving, perhaps we do this in our own time and have one person nominated(per person leaving) to say the farewell for the group. I also think, for what it's worth, that we(Sec) could have said some farewells at our own hui.
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Good idea whoever you are - Tracy. I liked the way everone leaving was actually allowed all the time they needed to say goodbye. Yes it was long, but it was special having everyone on the same night. That left one night for more casual fun.