Te Puke High School teachers started the year with a bang, enjoying a fun Staff Only Day in the local community, exploring places that students and whānau live, play, learn and work. The purpose of the day was to initiate the focus for the year – Connecting with Community.

Teachers were asked to work as a group and travel to four places that have significance for our students and community, in and around Te Puke. They then shared information and stories about that place, or spoke to local people to find out more. They took photos of the places and people and after a picnic lunch, returned to school to present photographs and learning in a Pecha Kucha style presentation (where there was a limit of 4 slides and groups have 3 minutes to present). In a follow-up session, teachers collaboratively developed resources to use for Small Group activities.

Feedback from staff was very positive and it was great to start establishing stronger connections with our community, as we intend to continue throughout 2018 and beyond.