Learning

Letters to
Our
Class Parents
and
Caregivers
Dear Parents/Caregivers.
Over the last year the teachers at Huntly Primary School have been given several worthwhile learning
opportunities to enhance our knowledge and skill surrounding the use of ICT in the classroom. This has
meant there have been several important changes to our school and class programmes.

We have taken part in courses and professional development which have given us many valuable
ideas/resources and free internet programmes that we can use to enhance our teaching practice and
engage our students. It has also made us aware of the huge range of technologies available to enhance
our classroom programmes and our students learning.

In room 3 we have been using ICT in all areas and it has meant that the students are excited about what
they are learning. They have been given the chance to learn through the use of ICT or reinforce other
areas of learning.

The classrooms of today need to interest students and get them motivated to learn. ICT is not only
giving us the chance to reach all our children but is preparing them for their futures.

New technologies are being created every day and ICT is becoming a huge part of our children’s and
our everyday lives.

Our children need to be able to explore, inquire and create new ideas and we are teaching them the
skills to do this through the use of ICT integration.

Here are some examples of how our classroom have taken advantage of this new learning and to show
you that the time the teachers have taken to up skill our selves has been worthwhile 

In room 3 we have learnt camera skills, used many fun and educational math and spelling programmes
to reinforce and practise our learning. We have used the projector and watched slide shows to begin
topic studies and the children have been given scenarios to help them inquire and take ownership of the
learning process. The children have created images using paint and added text to illustrate and publish
stories or to create pages for learning books. They have learnt to use the programme photo story which
has allowed them to take photos, insert them into the programme and add text to explain the photos or
create stories. The students have come up with their own questions about topics and as a class we have
used search engines to research this. They have also learnt to use the library search to find topical
books. We have been down the mines using an educational website that visits places around New
Zealand and the list goes on!

The next step for us is to get more ICT gear so that our children can have experience with a larger range
of ICT technologies and be even more capable to work with, understand and use these technologies. At
present we are doing the best that we can with what we have.

We will continue to improve in this area. The children are excited by the changes and the new ways of
learning and we hope that you are too 

Yours sincerely,

Sarah Williams, Room 3.

Dear parents and caregivers,
This year has been moving along fast, and it has been filled with
many learning challenges for the students and teachers alike. The purpose of this letter is to let
you know where education is moving, how the teachers at Huntly Primary School are moving
with it, and what this looks like for your child’s education.
At the start of the year and during the term 1 holiday we have attended intensive professional
development in the area of ICT (Information Communication Technology). We have had
national and international experts in this area share, interpret and guide us through the
implementation, uses, and educational purposes of using equipment and thinking tools that
create innovative, and deep thinking learners. It has been a real eye opener to see these ideas
and tools being incorporated in classrooms around the world.
For me the starting point is using the thinking tools to create a sequence of deep and
perspective based thinking. Tools like the thinking hats, Blooms questioning models, and
Solo’s thinking taxonomy create the platform for comprehension and reflection of a concept.
Once the students have moved through the knowledge and remembering steps of learning, they
can synthesize information from a range of sources, create and share their thinking with other
students via computer tools, and reflect on the outcome according to the purpose and audience.
The beauty of these thinking tools is that they are created for students to learn and embed in
their own minds, creating tools for life.
The next step for our school is to collect and utilize the hardware needed to access the vast
amounts of written, audio, and visual information there is to offer in this world. The good news
is that we have some of these tools available and the students are already becoming fluent in
using digital cameras, power points, and the like. The next step we are in the process of is to
use the tools in all the curriculum areas to integrate the thinking skills and tools to engage,
empower and create effective learners in room 5.
I am excited about the learning we have done this year, and I can see it already positively
impacting on your child’s learning. If you have any questions of your own about ICT, or
anything for that matter, come on in and I would be happy to share what I know with you. See
you on the web!

Yours sincerely,
Mike Moriarty

“One can’t believe impossible things.”

“I daresay you haven’t had much practice,” said the Queen. “When I
was your age I always did it for half-an-hour a day. Why, sometimes
I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.” Lewis
Carroll, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
 Dear Parents
When I first heard about ICT integration I responded resoundingly with “That’s
impossible!” But, like the Queen, I am believing in, and accomplishing "the
impossible". The children in Room 4 have busy and inquisitive minds. I soon
discovered that I needed to learn myself and keep myself up to date with the
latest technology and programmes which are available. In 2009 I attended the
U learn Conference in Christchurch and came back with many new ideas and
implemented some immediately. This year, we as a staff went to Rotorua to
attend the Learning@school Conference. This was an amazing experience for me.
My children benefit daily from my increased knowledge. I am so excited to share
with you what we have done in ICT so far this year and now that we have started
on this exciting new road there is nothing that will stop us. Room 4 is proud to
share the following with you.
• We wrote a story and inserted a picture behind the story. We learned how to do
Text Wrapping.

• We made Power Point Presentations about Planets and worked in groups to gather
information. We typed the stories and added photos to support our writing. Some of
the groups even added sound.

• We made colourful brochures about activities in and around Huntly and copied and pasted some

photographs, writing and contact details. We used Microsoft Office Publisher.

• We use the digital camera daily and we used photographs and added speech bubbles with
writing
I like lime, raspberry and

to explain the Virtue Jellies that we made.

mango jelly because if you
mix it all together it makes
rainbow jelly. My Rainbow
jelly virtues are Service.
Responsibility, love, kindness,
Gentleness, Consideration.
I am a walking rainbow jelly
virtue!

• Some of our classmates receive their homework letters

via email.

• We use the computers during reading time and do

online story reading and writing.

• We do online maths, practice our basic facts and other

activities. We are currently making our own
movies.

Every day is a challenge for us and we are very fast learners. You are welcome to pop in
at any time and we would love to share the ICT workwith you.
Kind Regards , Rina Pretorius

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

As we are living in a changing world, with technology that is evolving at a

rapid pace, it is vital that our students are equipped with the skills and
knowledge to become the best that they can be and reach their dreams.
I have been involved in very exciting professional development relating to
ICT (Information communication technology). Not only have I learned about
how to use a range of programmes and digital technologies that will
enhance the learning of your child, but I have learned interesting ways to
explore all areas of the curriculum. I have learned about how to use digital
technologies to give the students ownership and allow them to explore
ideas in a variety of ways. Your children are now able to express their
learning and ideas in fun and interesting ways, which enhance their
knowledge and understanding.
In room 7, we will be learning skills to be objective about the information
we are gaining, and to cross-reference sources of information to ensure the
accuracy of the knowledge being acquired. The students in room 7 have
been using a range of technologies, such as differing computer
programmes that enhance learning, and reiterate concepts and ideas. We
have been using digital cameras to capture various aspects of the learning
that occurs within our classroom. When using programmes that the
students are already familiar with, we having been using a different
approach.
The students have been involved in inquiry approaches to their learning,
meaning that they have been able to lead the learning, and explore various
aspects of programmes and technologies that are interesting to them. We
have been exploring power point presentations as a way to express our
learning. We expressed our knowledge of procedural writing by creating a
power point that showed the steps we took to create a minute timer in
mathematics. Students took photos of the steps, and these were inserted
into the power point presentation to show what was involved.
The knowledge and skills I have learned, will assist me to enhance the
creativity and enthusiasm of the students in room 7. Once the students
have been taught the skills for using a range of technology, they will be
able to work collaboratively to create original and exciting pieces of work in
a variety of ways and forms. We are currently working on getting more
technology that will increase the access your child has to technology and
enhance the learning occurring in the classroom. I look forward to sharing
the students’ learning with you throughout the year.
Yours sincerely,

Samantha Stewart
Room 7
Dear Parents,

As part of our Schools Professional Development I have been attending

courses and studying the uses of computers and the hi-whi world of the
World Wide Web. www.

What an amazing world it is in the cyber space and the

children of today are getting in at an early age to
experience things that we thought were only for
those people who were lucky. Not now it’s available for
everyone.

Part of the skills that are important for our children to learn is the
importance of cyber safety.
Keeping away from sites, knowing how to evade using the wrong words,
when researching resources for amazing up to date data rather than
struggling through old encyclopaedias with out of date
data.
Things are moving so fast now that the skills our
children are learning are essential for their survival in
this ever developing world that we face daily.
Scary, but a lot of fun.

Our children have no fear in this world which is okay at some levels but
needs to guided and checked on as they become more adventurous.
Your guidance and support with children being able to access a computer at
home will help us immensely as it is another avenue for learning available
to us.
Not far down the track, contact will be done over the airways more often as
reports, newsletters and assessments, children’s work and contact between
teachers and parents become more immediate and on line.

For me I find it a challenge but very exciting.

I hope you join me and the children in this Journey of learning.

Alex Ayerst Teacher Room 12

Tena koutou matua ma,

I am writing to give you an update on how my professional development as a
teacher of Information & Communication Technology (ICT) is being integrated
into your child’s classroom experience.

First of all, I am fortunate to have your child in my classroom. We work together

in a positive learning environment and always set high standards for ourselves.
Huntly Primary School has provided opportunities to upgrade my ICT skills and
now it is my turn to integrate what I have learnt at conferences, workshops and
seminars into my classroom practice. One reason for my ICT development is that
we are preparing children with the skills and tools for jobs that haven’t yet been
invented. A very challenging task!
I have learnt that children of the past have had to use their imagination to keep
themselves entertained. Today’s children function differently, are stimulated
differently and need instant gratification. This is one of the many reasons why
the integration of ICT in our programmes is essential for your child to succeed.
Examples of ICT being used in Room 9:
 Creating visitor brochures about Huntly using
Microsoft Publisher and learning about its many
features

 Daily computer time to edit and publish samples of

learning

 Using digital cameras in the classroom and uploading photos to class PC

 Creating Virtue Award Certificates for peers using Microsoft Word

 Exploring Google Maps to view Huntly and its surrounding features

 Exploring the use and many functions available in Microsoft Word

 Learning about ANZAC history through the use of the internet and class
data projector

 Room 9’s own internet page to post messages and keep in contact with
other class members. (www.wallwisher.com/wall/Huntly9)

We are also in the process of updating Room 9’s page on the Huntly Primary
School website. We are excited about having the chance to upload examples of
our work so that it is readily available to you and the wider community. There are
many other fun and exciting ICT experiences in the pipeline for your child, we
look forward to sharing our journey with you.
Naku noa,
Whaea Kellee

Dear Parents/ Guardians

I am writing to let you all know about the work that the class
and I have been doing in ICT since our school professional
development began. The staff as a whole has attended a 3-
day conference, earlier in the year, in Rotorua and a
Teacher’s Only Day, during the holidays, at Morrinsville
Intermediate. We covered many aspects of Information
Communication, as well as looking at how we as teacher
operate in the classroom.

Since attending these days, the class and I have tried out
new ways of using computers and organising our learning.
We have used the computer and projector to work as a class
on such things as Goggle Earth, Google Maps – when looking
at Huntly, Youtube clips – when looking both at ANZAC and
inspiration for our upcoming Wearable Arts topic, and
viewing photos for inspiration when planning our Art project.
The children enjoy using the projector as a class, as they can
help to guide each other’s learning around the websites that
we use.

We have also used other programmes to present work, for

example Publisher to create our Huntly brochures, Word
using the shapes to create their reflection thought bubbles,
Word to publish our writing and they are currently using
Paint and Photostory to create Storybooks.

Along with using various ICT applications, I have worked hard

at getting the students to lead and plan their own learning.
This has meant that they feel more in control of what is
happening in the classroom, and are leading their learning to
fulfill the desired outcome. This has meant that some have
done extra ICT, with taking photographs and using the web
as a research tool to help the whole class progress towards a
positive outcome.

We have big plans for the rest of the year, including using
the video camera to record interviews, placing these into
MovieMaker and trying out other Google applications. There
are still many areas to explore and the children are looking
forward to this adventure.
The school website is currently being updated and we will
endeavor to have examples of your wonderful children’s work
for you to view online.

If you have any questions about what we are doing, or have a

suggestion of something that you think will assist the
children and I in our ICT journey, please do not hesitate to
contact me. I would love to hear from you.

Yours sincerely, Judith Gribble Room 11 Teacher

Dear Parents /Caregivers

I would like to share with you what I have been learning about
with ICT and what I am working on for programmes for students.
Firstly I have been amazed by the “other language” involved in
the world of computers and this language keeps growing. At
every course and interaction with others more knowledgeable
than me, I find out more terminology and better ways of using
hardware, software and information eg google docs and
exploring other features of google. The exciting opportunities
available for sharing learning and communicating with others
were highlighted at conference when we able to skype people
nationally and internationally in a 2 way conference.

It is important that we continue to be lifelong learners and

ensure our students know that learning is forever and how to
utilise skills to achieve this. Accessing Information is instant and
cell phones make communication available constantly. Students
today quickly learn to utilise new technology. Learning is student
directed and involves students.

Most of the workshop sessions I attended were focussed on the

theory and information which has been useful for background
information and reflection on where education is heading and
why we teach the way we do.

Practical sessions have proved that I have more skills and

computer knowledge than I was aware of. The learning of new
web sites which allow exciting ways for students to express what
has been learnt and also demonstrates their understanding of
the technological tools used. I have improved my ability to
produce school data in a variety of formats including a variety of
graphs. I am working on creating interactive learning activities
for ORRS students and using paint and clicker for ORRS students
to record their work. I can teach students how to use a digital
camera and record their photos and written ideas using various
soft ware programmes.

Lorraine Bristol.

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

As we are living in a changing world, with technology that is evolving at a
rapid pace, it is vital that our students are equipped with the skills and
knowledge to become the best that they can be and reach their dreams.
I have been involved in very exciting professional development relating to
ICT (Information communication technology). Not only have I learned about
how to use a range of programmes and digital technologies that will
enhance the learning of your child, but I have learned interesting ways to
explore all areas of the curriculum. I have learned about how to use digital
technologies to give the students ownership and allow them to explore
ideas in a variety of ways. Your children are now able to express their
learning and ideas in fun and interesting ways, which enhance their
knowledge and understanding.

In room 7, we will be learning skills to be objective about the information

we are gaining, and to cross-reference sources of information to ensure the
accuracy of the knowledge being acquired. The students in room 7 have
been using a range of technologies, such as differing computer
programmes that enhance learning, and reiterate concepts and ideas. We
have been using digital cameras to capture various aspects of the learning
that occurs within our classroom. When using programmes that the
students are already familiar with, we having been using a different
approach.

The students have been involved in inquiry approaches to their learning,

meaning that they have been able to lead the learning, and explore various
aspects of programmes and technologies that are interesting to them. We
have been exploring power point presentations as a way to express our
learning. We expressed our knowledge of procedural writing by creating a
power point that showed the steps we took to create a minute timer in
mathematics. Students took photos of the steps, and these were inserted
into the power point presentation to show what was involved.

The knowledge and skills I have learned, will assist me to enhance the
creativity and enthusiasm of the students in room 7. Once the students
have been taught the skills for using a range of technology, they will be
able to work collaboratively to create original and exciting pieces of work in
a variety of ways and forms. We are currently working on getting more
technology that will increase the access your child has to technology and
enhance the learning occurring in the classroom. I look forward to sharing
the students’ learning with you throughout the year.
Yours sincerely,

Samantha Stewart Room 7

ICT & Learning

Kirsten McOnie

I found the conference extremely enlightening. I realised that future of

classroom learning will include a large amount of computer skills.
The children that are in our classrooms will need to know ICT and
most; if not all of their future employment will have some type of
computer skills involved.
I have realised that as the classroom teacher I need to upgrade my own
skills to teach, and benefit children to succeed in future life choices.

Recently I have gone to computer conferences where I have seen

firsthand how to incorporate computer skills into every day teaching,
allowing children to build upon their reading and writing skills as well
as their computer skills.

Children in Room 2 are learning how to write, edit and publish their
own stories using the computer. They are also learning how to illustrate
their work using PAINT and clip art.
Children are beginning to extend their skills into researching the web
as part of their topic studies, looking for and watching short videos on
frogs. They have found, with support, several websites with specific
information on the frog life cycle and what frogs eat.

I would also like to extend the children’s knowledge and use of e-

mails. Sending them to friends and family members as part of their
writing programme, and sending them to specific professionals as part
of research for our WOW topic.
I have recently started taking computer lessons, not only to upgrade my
own skills but to pass skills onto the children in Room 2. I hope to
teach these children a firm foundation in ICT that they can build upon
in their schooling and use in their future.

Greetings to all Parents and Caregivers

This small publication is to give you some idea of what my ideas on
ICT are about and how they will affect your child’s learning in Room
10.
At many of the ICT conferences I have attended over the past four
years, there is a strong belief that the future of computers is via global
learning. Children will develop skills that can only be seen to build
confidence; skills that will enable children to communicate via
computers to others on a global scale. Global learning creates
opportunities for children to display their work, ideas, and photos.
Blogs and websites are common means of interacting with global
knowledge. This interaction teaches children how to be selective in
what they are researching and what they may write on an open (for all
to see) page.
Our class has a page on the school website and now that I have some
idea of how to change and update it, my aim is to have the children
learn to do this for themselves (under my supervision).
We have used the internet as much as we have had time for, to research
information, download pictures and photos onto documents they have
been producing. Most mornings we use the data projector as a tool to
display images from News sites and Youtube – don’t worry it all links
to our topics <g>.
The class has some experience with creating powerpoints, using
Photostory 3 and I’m about to start a new program called Paint.net.
These involve the use of photos and text and a little creativity.
These programs are all compatible with our classroom learning.
So when your child comes home from school and says “Guess what we
did today on the computer?” you’ll have the answer!
hehehe =]