KŌRERO FROM MEL
A few weeks ago in assembly, I spoke to our students about the power of knowing themselves as a learner. This was especially timely as all year levels undertook the new SMART testing in Reading, Writing and Mathematics, and our Year 10 are preparing for their CAA (Common Assessment Activities for their NCEA co-requisites). I have been impressed with our students taking their learning seriously, and giving their best efforts in these assessments.
Every single one of our students is a learner, but no two of them learn in exactly the same way. That is the beauty of our school and the importance of the ‘Ourselves as Learners’ value of our CLOAK.
It is a myth that some people are just "born smart" and others aren't. This is simply not true. We believe, with total absolute certainty, that every single student at RJHS is capable of learning at a high level. This was my message to them:
Great learning doesn’t just happen while you’re sitting at a desk. It requires engagement. Real learning requires ongoing effort. It’s about more than just showing up; it’s about:
Managing Yourself: Taking ownership of your time and your emotions, even when a task feels frustrating.
Meta-Learning: This is another way of saying "thinking about how you learn". It’s about knowing when you need to ask for feedback and when you need to try a different strategy because the first one didn't work.
Curiosity: Asking the questions that move you from just "doing the work" to truly understanding it.
Sometimes, learning feels easy. We call that "coasting." But the best learning happens when you feel a little bit stretched. That feeling of being "stuck" isn't a sign that you aren't smart, it’s a sign that your brain is growing.
You have the power to direct your own progress. Whether you are setting a new goal today or seeking out feedback on a project you’ve worked hard on, remember: you are in control of your learning journey.
So, this fortnight, I challenge you to experiment with a new way of engaging. Don't just settle for the "Bronze" level of understanding. Be proactive. Be a "Gold" learner who doesn't just know the facts, but knows how to teach them to someone else.
We believe in you. Now, it’s time for you to believe in the power of your own effort.
And to you, our whānau, doing this in partnership with you matters to us. At the end of this term, you will be receiving reports using new assessment results based on their progress in reading, writing and mathematics against the new curriculum. I strongly encourage you to make IEM Bookings and attend these important meetings so that you have a good understanding of these reports, and your child’s achievement. There is time allocated at the end of the IEM, after your child’s presentation, for you to ask questions of their advisor and to analyse the end of semester report together.
