My first week in a New Zealand School.

I am sitting out in the garden at 9:10 on a Friday night trying to reflect on the week. This week has been an incredible experience, one that I did not expect and am utterly blessed to have experienced.

Last Friday we had an induction day for all new starters. This was needed as it made me feel like we were all in the same boat. I’m not going to lie I was anxious before I started but just going through the procedures and seeing friendly senior staff made me feel at ease.

There was loads of preparation involved, there was a manual with everything we could possibly need. Including who our buddies would be, policies and all the other stuff (bell times, expectations from students etc). There was also a huge onus put on the kids for their attainment and behaviour. The attribute that stood out the most and one that will stay with me forever is the fact that the senior staff were genuine. They care about you as a person, they will help as much as they can and try and create a positive relationship with you. When the headteacher spoke I could tell he was speaking from the heart. He meant everything he said. And sitting here tonight I can say he has done a great job.

So Monday comes along (28th January) and it’s Auckland anniversary which means a day off! Wow, how nice. I guess it's all to do with calendars and summer holidays.

Then comes Tuesday, and it's an all staff training day. It was a warm atmosphere all the staff gathered in a cozy room. The sun was shining there were loads of smiles and again when the headteacher and senior staff spoke, it was with such positivity. They have faith in the teachers to do their jobs and give them the freedom to achieve the goals. By 1pm there was time for teachers to prepare their own material and sort out their classrooms. Walking through school almost all teachers were greeting each other especially if they didn’t know someone.
I sat in the maths staff room observing from my desk and everything seemed to have been thought about in great detail. The positioning of the staff room could not have been in a better location. It was on the first floor, so we can see what's happening below us. There is a roof over the building, constructed in a way which protects us from the rain yet still lets light in. The staff room was stocked with tea, coffee, sugar and milk. There was a normal tap and a tap for boiling water and chilled water. There was a dishwasher. The bathroom was well maintained and had quality toilet paper. All these small things make a difference. I have so much respect for this headteacher who looks after his staff.

Now it's Wednesday, today's the day I meet my tutor group. I spend the day with ‘my kids’ ‘my family’ kids that will look to me for help for the next five years. So at 10am we have a whole school assembly. My students are then allocated to me along with 3 year 13s, something I didn't expect. As I walked these kids to our ‘home’ I wondered if I could actually guide them and take care of them especially as I was on unknown ground. My contemplation continued but work needed to be done, as I completed the register my 3 year 13 walk in with warm smiles and a ‘hi miss, we are here to help you’. I can honestly say I have never seen kids like these before. These year 13’s spent the day with my tutor group and answered all questions, they gave a tour of the school and played games with them. They helped me with anything and everything I asked. They informed me that they were the school prefects and that they went to camp to train on what to do on the first few days with the new kids. Again, what amazing planning by the senior staff, they have obviously done something right to create such perfect children. They took charge and were having fun with the kids, it all seemed so natural. This is the time I sat back and thought, I belong here.

On Thursday there was an official welcoming ceremony for all new teachers and new students. It is called Powhiri, it was an experience in itself. I experienced a Māori tradition and felt touched by the speeches and welcome. It’s official- i'm in! Yaay, a little excited to be honest :)
On returning to our classroom we tried to work on our tutor display. This is basically a competition in the school. Now my kids are very competitive and want to win this, so we decided as a class to have a family tree, with myself as the head, the 3 year 13’s below me and the rest of the class below them. One kid suggested we have an actual tree up and put the family tree in that! What an amazing idea. Another wanted to make anagrams of the word heart and put it in the clouds. Another student suggested we have a heart and all put a bio of ourselves in it. Wow, i’m speechless, we got the tree, sky and heart up in a day. We still have time to work on it… I hope to show you the finished display in due course.

And now Friday. It’s teacher training day again! We gathered in the hall and this speech was a lot more formal but still genuine. We looked through results and looked at what the future holds. Then back to our departments to work on whatever we need to. Whilst the senior staff were making their speeches I saw the headteacher help a lady carry a table for the refreshments. I have so much respect for this man it's unbelievable. There was a wide variety of refreshments available. They even catered for the vegans :)
I spent the final hours of the day cleaning my room and getting rid of everything from the past. This was now my room and it represented me and my family. I straightened the posters, scrubbed down the cupboards and placed everything in the bin. I was having so much fun that I didn't realise what time it was. A security guard walked in at 7pm asking for my name for security purposes. I quickly packed up and left after that :)

Regardless of what happens in the future what I can say is that this headteacher has got the right vision and has executed his plan in the correct manner. The kids are absolutely amazing and the environment matches what life should be, calm, clear and positive. Kids achieve more than just results here and it's clear why.